Indomethacin

Medically Reviewed by Dr. Harshi Dhingra, M.D.

Last Reviewed: Jul 28, 2022

Warnings

Indomethacin Risks, Warnings, and Complications

Indomethacin can cause serious side effects in certain people. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other treatment options for pain and inflammation if you are at high risk of complications from indomethacin use.

HEART ATTACK OR STROKE: Taking indomethacin can lead to an increased risk of blood clots, heart attack, or stroke. The risk is higher in people with pre-existing heart problems, those undergoing or have recently undergone coronary artery bypass graft (heart bypass surgery), those taking high doses of indomethacin, and those taking indomethacin for a long time. Your doctor will prescribe the lowest effective dose of indomethacin for the shortest possible time. Give your healthcare provider a complete medical history before starting indomethacin, especially any history of blood clots or heart disease. People who have had or will have coronary artery bypass graft (heart bypass surgery) should not take indomethacin. Call 911 or seek immediate medical attention if you experience warning symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, weakness on one side of your body, or problems with walking or talking while on indomethacin.
STOMACH AND INTESTINAL BLEEDING: Indomethacin can cause potentially dangerous stomach and intestinal bleeding. The risk of this occurring is greater in older adults, people with a history of stomach bleeding, those on indomethacin for a long time, and those taking medications such as aspirin, other NSAIDs, blood thinners, and oral corticosteroids. Drinking alcohol and smoking can also increase your risk of stomach bleeding. Contact your healthcare provider without delay if you notice blood in your vomit or stool, black coffee grounds appearance of stool, or persistent severe stomach pain.
SEVERE ALLERGIC REACTION: In a small number of people, indomethacin can lead to a severe allergic reaction, including a life-threatening allergic reaction like the closing of the throat (anaphylaxis) and serious skin reactions like Stevens-Johnson Syndrome. Call 911 or seek emergency medical care if you develop hives, skin rash, painful blisters all over your body, swelling of the lips or tongue, or difficulty breathing after taking indomethacin. Before starting indomethacin, tell your healthcare provider if you have an allergy to aspirin or any other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug. Risk factors for allergic reactions also include aspirin-sensitive asthma, i.e., if your asthma gets worse after taking aspirin.
KIDNEY DAMAGE: Taking indomethacin can damage the kidneys. The risk is higher in people with pre-existing kidney problems, liver problems, heart failure, and dehydration. Elderly patients, people taking certain medications for high blood pressure, and those taking indomethacin for a long time are also at higher risk of kidney damage. Tell your doctor if you notice any changes in urination after starting indomethacin.
LIVER DAMAGE: In a very small number of people, taking indomethacin can lead to life-threatening liver damage. Your doctor may order blood tests to check your liver function before starting you on this medicine. Call your doctor immediately or seek emergency medical help if you have unexplained stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, pale stools, dark urine, or yellowing of your skin or eyes.
HARM TO UNBORN BABIES: If a pregnant woman takes indomethacin during the last 3 months of pregnancy, it can cause heart problems in the unborn baby. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about which medications are safe to take while pregnant.
WORSENING MENTAL HEALTH AND NERVOUS SYSTEM CONDITIONS: Occasionally, indomethacin can lead to the worsening of certain mental health problems and nervous system conditions such as depression, epilepsy, and Parkinson's disease. Tell your doctor if you experience any changes in mental health or neurologic symptoms or if you experience seizures while on indomethacin.

Precautions Before Starting Indomethacin

Tell your doctor if you have had an allergic reaction to indomethacin or any other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) such as aspirin, ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) or naproxen (Naprosyn, Aleve), or any other medicines.

Give your doctor a complete medical history. Indomethacin may not be right for people with certain medical conditions such as asthma, nasal polyps, frequent stuffy or runny nose, kidney disease, liver disease, heart disease, depression, epilepsy, and Parkinson’s disease.

Give your doctor and pharmacist a complete list of medications, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, supplements, and herbal products. This can help avoid possible drug interactions.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, could be pregnant, are planning a pregnancy, or are breastfeeding. Taking indomethacin after around 20 weeks of pregnancy can be harmful to the unborn baby.

Indomethacin can cause fertility problems in female patients. Talk to your doctor about alternative treatment options for pain and inflammation if this is a concern for you.

Indomethacin may not be safe for older adults. If you are 65 years of age or older, talk to your doctor about the safety of taking indomethacin. There may be other safer medicines available to treat your pain and inflammation.

Precautions During Use of Indomethacin

Keep all your doctor’s appointments while taking indomethacin. Your doctor may want to adjust your dose of indomethacin or order blood tests while you are on this medicine.

Be vigilant for signs and symptoms of allergic reactions such as skin rash, difficulty breathing, and swelling of the face, throat, lips, and hands. Call your doctor or seek emergency medical help if this occurs.

Indomethacin can cause drowsiness and dizziness. Do not drive a motor vehicle or operate machinery until you know how this medicine affects you. Keep in mind that drinking alcohol can make these side effects of indomethacin worse.

Tell all your doctors you are on indomethacin before any surgery, including dental procedures.

Call your doctor immediately if you become pregnant while on indomethacin.

Indomethacin Drug Interactions

Using indomethacin with certain other drugs can affect how it works. Possible interactions between indomethacin and certain other medicines can also increase the risk of severe adverse effects. The following medications can have possible interactions with indomethacin:

Medications used to treat high blood pressure called angiotensin-converting enzymes (ACE) inhibitors such as lisinopril (in Zestoretic), captopril, benazepril (Lotensin, in Lotrel), enalapril (Vasotec, in Vaseretic), moexipril (Univasc, in Uniretic), fosinopril, quinapril (Accupril, in Accuretic, in Quinaretic), ramipril (Altace), perindopril (Aceon, in Prestalia), and trandolapril (Mavik, in Tarka)
Angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) such as losartan (Cozaar, in Hyzaar), candesartan (Atacand, in Atacand HCT), olmesartan (Benicar, in Azor, in Benicar HCT, in Tribenzor), irbesartan (Avapro, in Avalide), eprosartan (Teveten), valsartan (in Diovan HCT, in Exforge), and telmisartan (Micardis, in Micardis HCT, in Twynsta)
Beta blockers such as metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL, in Dutoprol), atenolol (Tenormin, in Tenoretic), labetalol (Trandate), nadolol (Corgard, in Corzide), and propranolol (Hemangeol, Inderal, Innopran)
Immunosuppressants such as cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune)
Heart medications like digoxin (Lanoxin)
Diuretics (water pills) such as triamterene (Dyrenium, in Dyazide)
Psychiatric medications like lithium (Lithobid)
Cancer medications like methotrexate (Otrexup, Rasuvo, Trexall)
Anticonvulsants like phenytoin (Dilantin, Phenytek)
Gout medications like probenecid (Probalan, in Col-Probenecid)

The above list may not describe all possible interactions of indomethacin. Give your doctor or pharmacist a complete list of your medications, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, dietary supplements, and herbal remedies. Also, tell your healthcare professional if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use recreational drugs because some of these substances can cause serious health complications when used with prescription medications.

Find the best discount on Indomethacin »