Indomethacin

The label describes indomethacin capsules for moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis, including acute flares, moderate to severe ankylosing spondylitis, and moderate to severe osteoarthritis.

It is also described for acute painful shoulder (bursitis or tendinitis) and acute gouty arthritis.

• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Ankylosing spondylitis
• Osteoarthritis
• Acute painful shoulder
• Acute gouty arthritis

The label says the mechanism is not completely understood. It involves inhibiting cyclooxygenase (COX-1 and COX-2) and so reducing prostaglandin production.

Prostaglandins sensitize nerves to pain and mediate inflammation.

This page covers the US label for indomethacin capsules taken by mouth, with the dosing the label gives for adults.

This is label-level information, not personal advice. Indian pack labels may differ, and your prescriber's instruction always comes first.

For adults, the label describes using the lowest effective dose for the shortest time. For arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis, it describes 25 mg two or three times a day, increased weekly if needed up to 150 to 200 mg a day.

For acute painful shoulder, 75 to 150 mg daily in 3 or 4 divided doses is described. For acute gouty arthritis, 50 mg three times a day is described.

The label says side effects tend to rise with dose, so the lowest effective dose should be found.

• Arthritis: 25 mg two or three times daily
• Shoulder: 75 to 150 mg daily in divided doses
• Gout: 50 mg three times daily
• Lowest effective dose, shortest time

The boxed warning says NSAIDs raise the risk of serious heart attack and stroke, which can be fatal and may occur early. It also warns of stomach and intestinal bleeding, ulceration and perforation, which can occur without warning symptoms. Older adults and people with prior ulcers or bleeding are at greater risk.

Indomethacin is contraindicated in people with known hypersensitivity, those with asthma, hives or allergic reactions after aspirin or other NSAIDs, and in the setting of CABG surgery.

The label advises limiting use between about 20 and 30 weeks of pregnancy and avoiding it at about 30 weeks and later.

• Boxed warning: heart attack and stroke
• Boxed warning: stomach bleeding and perforation
• Not for use around CABG surgery
• Aspirin or NSAID allergy
• Liver toxicity
• Avoid at about 30 weeks of pregnancy and later

• Warfarin and other anticoagulants
• Aspirin and antiplatelet agents
• SSRIs and SNRIs
• The label says indomethacin with anticoagulants such as warfarin raises the risk of serious bleeding.
• Antiplatelet agents such as aspirin, SSRIs and SNRIs call for monitoring for bleeding.
• The label also describes an interaction with aspirin, which gives no added benefit and more risk.

No match in this label text. Ask your pharmacist about any medicine you take.

The label gives a storage range of 20 to 25 degrees C.

The label also says to protect it from light.

Follow the storage line on your own pack, and keep medicines out of the reach of children.

In the Drugs Rules schedules we checked, indomethacin is listed under Schedule H (serial and rule: Schedule H, serial 249 (rules 65 and 97)). Schedule H medicines are sold only on a registered doctor's prescription.

We did not find indomethacin on the National List of Essential Medicines 2022 in the list we checked.

The Jan Aushadhi (PMBJP) list we checked has 1 product row that mention indomethacin. We did not capture prices for them.

Jan Aushadhi lists indomethacin products including Indomethacin Capsules IP 25 mg 25 mg. We have not shown a price for them. Check the pack and the seller for the actual price.