O General Information and Indications:
Indomethacin is used to relieve the
pain, tenderness, inflammation (swelling), and stiffness caused by gout,
arthritis, and other inflammatory conditions.
O Information For Users:
Indomethacin comes as a regular capsule,
extended-release (long-acting) capsule, and a liquid to take by mouth and
suppositories to be used rectally. Indomethacin capsules, liquid, and
suppositories usually are taken two to four times a day; extended-release
capsules are taken one or two times a day. Follow the directions on your
prescription label, ask your doctor or pharmacist If you have any questions.
Take indomethacin exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or
take it more often than prescribed by your health care provider.
Extended-release capsules should be swallowed whole; do not open them to mix
with food or beverages.
Shake the oral liquid well before each use.
To insert a suppository into the rectum, follow these steps:
o Remove the wrapper.
o Dip the tip of the suppository in water.
o Lie down on your left side and raise your right knee to your chest. (A
left-handed person should lie on the right side and raise the left knee.)
o Using your finger, insert the suppository into the rectum, about 1/2 to 1
inch in infants and children and 1 inch in adults. Hold it in place for a
few moments.
o Stand up after about 15 minutes. Wash your hands thoroughly and resume
your normal activities.
O Special
precautions:
o Inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have
allergy to indomethacin, aspirin or other medications for pain or arthritis,
or any other medications.
o Inform your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription
medications you are taking, especially anticoagulants ('blood thinners')
such as warfarin (Coumadin), aspirin, atenolol (Tenormin), carteolol (Cartrol),
cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune), digoxin (Lanoxin), diuretics ('water
pills'), labetalol (Normodyne, Trandate), lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid),
medications for arthritis or diabetes, methotrexate, metoprolol (Lopressor),
nadolol (Corgard), phenylpropanolamine, phenytoin (Dilantin), probenecid (Benemid),
and vitamins.
o inform your doctor if you are breast-feeding liver, heart, or kidney
disease; high blood pressure; any stomach problems; any other
gastrointestinal disease; epilepsy; Parkinson's disease; depression; or
mental illness.
o Inform your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are
breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking indomethacin, call your
doctor.
o if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, Inform your doctor or
dentist that you are taking indomethacin.
o you should know that this drug may make you drowsy. Do not drive a car or
operate machinery until you know how this drug affects you.
o remember that alcohol can add to the drowsiness caused by this drug. Do
not drink alcohol while taking this medication.
Indomethacin may cause an upset stomach. Take indomethacin with food
or milk.
O
Possible Adverse
Effects:
Though adverse effects of indomethacin are not
common, they could occur. Inform your doctor if any of the following
symptoms are severe or do not go away:
o headache
o dizziness
o nervousness
o upset stomach
o stomach cramps or pain
o vomiting
o diarrhea
o constipation
If you have any of the following symptoms, call your doctor without delay:
o blood in the vomit (Hematemesis)
o bloody diarrhea or black, tarry stools
o ringing in the ears
o swelling of the hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs
o skin rash
o itching
O Brand Name(s):
o Indocin®
o Indocin® I.V. |
