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- $Unique_ID{BRK03191}
- $Pretitle{}
- $Title{indomethacin}
- $Subject{Indocin Merck Sharp Dohme SR Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory analgesic
- indomethacin inflammation pain swelling stiffness arthritis gout bursitis
- tendinitis prostaglandins}
- $Volume{}
- $Log{
- Indocin 25 mg*0319101.scf
- Indocin 50 mg*0319102.scf
- Indocin SR*0319103.scf}
-
- Copyright (C) 1993 Publications International, Ltd.
-
-
- indomethacin
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
- BRAND NAMES (Manufacturers)
-
- Indocin (Merck Sharp & Dohme)
- Indocin SR (Merck Sharp & Dohme)
- indomethacin (various manufacturers)
-
- TYPE OF DRUG
-
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory analgesic
-
- INGREDIENT
-
- indomethacin
-
- DOSAGE FORMS
-
- Capsules (25 mg and 50 mg)
- Extended-release capsules (75 mg)
- Oral suspension (25 mg per 5-ml spoonful, with 1% alcohol)
- Rectal suppositories (50 mg)
-
- STORAGE
-
- Indomethacin capsules, oral suspension, and rectal suppositories should
- be stored in closed containers at room temperature away from heat and direct
- sunlight. The rectal suppositories can also be stored in the refrigerator.
-
- USES
-
- Indomethacin is used to treat the inflammation (pain, swelling, and
- stiffness) of certain types of arthritis, gout, bursitis, and tendinitis.
- Indomethacin has been shown to block the production of certain body chemicals,
- called prostaglandins, that may trigger pain. However, it is not yet fully
- understood how indomethacin works.
-
- TREATMENT
-
- You should take this drug immediately after meals or with food, in order
- to reduce stomach irritation. Ask your doctor if you can take indomethacin
- with an antacid.
- Do not chew or crush the extended-release capsules; they should be
- swallowed whole. Breaking the capsule would release the medication all at
- once--defeating the purpose of the extended-release dosage form.
- The suspension form of this medication should be shaken well just before
- measuring each dose. The contents tend to settle on the bottom of the bottle,
- so it is necessary to shake the container to distribute the ingredients evenly
- and equalize the doses. Each dose should be measured carefully with a
- specially designed 5-ml measuring spoon. An ordinary kitchen teaspoon is not
- accurate enough.
- To use the rectal suppository form of this medication, remove the foil
- wrapper, and moisten the suppository with water. If the suppository is too
- soft to insert, refrigerate it for 30 minutes or run cold water over it before
- removing the foil wrapper. Lie on your left side with your right knee bent.
- Push the suppository into the rectum, pointed end first. Lie still for a few
- minutes. Try to avoid having a bowel movement for at least one hour.
- It is important to take indomethacin on schedule and not to miss any
- doses. If you do miss a dose, take the missed dose as soon as possible,
- unless more than an hour has passed. In that case, do not take the missed
- dose at all; just return to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double the
- next dose.
- This drug does not cure arthritis, but will help to control the condition
- as long as you continue to take it. It may take up to four weeks before you
- feel the full benefits of this medication.
-
- SIDE EFFECTS
-
- Minor.
-
- Bloating, constipation, diarrhea, difficulty in sleeping, dizziness,
- drowsiness, headache, heartburn, indigestion, light-headedness, loss of
- appetite, nausea, nervousness, soreness of the mouth, unusual sweating, or
- vomiting. As you adjust to the drug, the side effects should disappear.
- To relieve constipation, increase the amount of fiber in your diet (fresh
- fruits and vegetables, salads, bran, and whole-grain breads), exercise, and
- drink more water (unless your doctor directs you to do otherwise).
- If you become dizzy, sit or lie down for a while; get up slowly from a
- sitting or reclining position, and be careful on stairs.
-
- Major.
-
- Tell your doctor about any side effects that are persistent or
- particularly bothersome. IT IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about
- bloody or black, tarry stools; blurred vision; confusion; depression;
- difficult or painful urination; palpitations; a problem with hearing; ringing
- or buzzing in the ears; skin rash, hives, or itching; stomach pain; swelling
- of the feet; rectal irritation; tightness in the chest; unexplained sore
- throat and fever; unusual bleeding or bruising; unusual fatigue or weakness;
- unusual weight gain; wheezing or difficulty in breathing; or yellowing of the
- eyes or skin.
-
- INTERACTIONS
-
- Indomethacin interacts with several other types of drugs:
- 1. Use of anticoagulants (blood thinners, such as warfarin) can lead to
- an increase in bleeding complications.
- 2. Anti-inflammatory medications such as aspirin, salicylates, and
- diflunisal can cause increased stomach irritation when used while taking this
- drug.
- 3. Indomethacin can decrease the elimination of lithium from the body,
- possibly resulting in lithium toxicity.
- 4. Indomethacin may interfere with the blood-pressure-lowering effects of
- captopril, enalapril, or beta-blocking medications (acebutolol, atenolol,
- betaxolol, carteolol, esmolol, labetalol, metoprolol, nadolol, penbutolol,
- pindolol, propranolol, timolol).
- 5. Indomethacin can interfere with the diuretic effects of furosemide and
- thiazide-type diuretics (water pills).
- 6. Indomethacin can alter the effects of the potassium-sparing diuretics
- (such as amiloride, spironolactone, or triamterene).
- 7. The concurrent use of triamterene and indomethacin can result in
- kidney problems.
- 8. Probenecid can increase the amount of indomethacin in the bloodstream
- when both drugs are being taken.
- BE SURE TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about any medications you are currently
- taking, especially those listed above.
-
- WARNINGS
-
- * Tell your doctor if you have ever had unusual or allergic reactions to
- any medications, especially to indomethacin or any chemically related drugs.
- * Before taking indomethacin, tell your doctor if you now have or if you
- have ever had bleeding problems, colitis, stomach ulcers or other stomach
- problems, epilepsy, heart disease, high blood pressure, asthma, kidney
- disease, liver disease, mental illness, or Parkinson's disease.
- * If indomethacin makes you dizzy or drowsy, do not take part in any
- activity that requires alertness, such as driving a car or operating
- potentially dangerous machinery.
- * If you will be taking this medication for a long period of time, your
- doctor may want to have your eyes examined periodically by an ophthalmologist.
- Some visual problems have been known to occur with long-term indomethacin use.
- Your doctor might want to keep a careful watch for these.
- * Stomach problems are more likely to occur if you take aspirin regularly
- or drink alcohol while being treated with this medication. These should
- therefore be avoided (unless your doctor directs you to do otherwise).
- * The elderly may be at increased risk for experiencing side effects of
- this drug.
- * Be sure to tell your doctor if you are pregnant. Studies in animals
- have shown that indomethacin can cause unwanted effects in offspring,
- including lower birth weights, slower development of bones, nerve damage, and
- heart damage. If taken late in pregnancy, the drug can also prolong labor.
- Studies in humans have not been conducted. Also, tell your doctor if you are
- breast-feeding. Small amounts of indomethacin can pass into breast milk, so
- caution is warranted.
-
- ----------------
-
- The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
- the counsel and advice of your personal physician. Promptly consulting your
- doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
- problem.
-