Indomethacin

Indomethacin (Indocin)

Category:

Analgesic

Description:

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) analgesic

Indications:

Inflammatory disease (rheumatoid and osteoarthritis)
Mild to moderate pain (orthopedic pain, dental procedures, dysmenorrhea)
Gout

Contraindications:

Patients with aspirin or NSAID-induced nasal polyps, bronchospasm or angioedema

Precautions:

Patients may experience potentially serious GI effects, including GI bleeding and ulceration with prolonged, high dose therapy.
Avoid use with anticoagulants (warfarin) due to increased bleeding times and potential for GI bleeding and decreased platelet aggregation.
May mask signs of infection, use with caution in the presence of infection.
Compliance with therapy is essential, may take up to two weeks to see noticeable improvement.
Always take with food, after meal or with antacids to decrease GI upset.
Pregnancy Category

Adverse Reactions (Side Effects):

GI effects (nausea, heartburn, dyspepsia, pain)
CNS effects (drowsiness, dizziness, headache, nervousness)
Tinnitis, blurry vision, headache

Dosage:

Administered orally with food or milk to decrease GI effects

Inflammatory diseases:

Adult: 25-50mg, q8-12h (not to exceed 200mg per day)

Pain:

Adult: 75-150mg daily in three to four divided doses until pain alleviated

Gout:

Adult: 50mg tid until attack subsides

The information contained here is an abbreviated summary. For more detailed and complete information, consult the manufacturer's product information sheets or standard textbooks.

Source: Operational Medicine 2001, Health Care in Military Settings, NAVMED P-5139, May 1, 2001, Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, Department of the Navy, 2300 E Street NW, Washington, D.C., 20372-5300