Indometacin helps relieve pain and inflammation. It is used to reduce swelling to provide relief of pain associated with joint disorders such as ankylosing spondylitis (inflammation in joints of the spine), rheumatoid arthritis (inflammation in joints of fingers, wrist, feet, or ankles), and osteoarthritis (joint pain and swelling due to bone damage or deterioration).
This medicine may also be used to treat pain due to gout (high uric acid level in the blood) and menstrual period.
Indometacin may be used to treat other conditions as decided by your doctor.
Use Indometacin exactly as directed by your doctor or according to the instructions on the label. Do not use more or less than instructed by your doctor.
Indometacin suppository is to be inserted into the rectum. Do not eat, chew or swallow it. Do not use it in any other way. Try to go to the toilet before you insert the suppository. Follow these steps:
- Wash your hands thoroughly.
- Remove the suppository from the foil wrapper.
- If you are right-handed, lie on your left side and pull your right knee up to your chest.
- Gently insert the suppository with the pointed end first into your rectum. Gently push the suppository as far as it would go.
- Remain lying in this position for a few minutes to allow the suppository to melt. If you feel that the suppository is slipping out, press your buttocks together. The suppository must remain in the rectum so that the medicine can be absorbed.
- Wash and dry your hands.
Use the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your normal dosing schedule.
DO NOT double a dose under any circumstances.
Do not use Indometacin if you ever had an allergic reaction (e.g. rashes, breathlessness, swollen eyes) to this medicine or similar medicines such as naproxen or aspirin.
Alert your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- history of proctitis (inflammation of the rectum)
- recent bleeding in the anus
- recent or active stomach ulcer or bleeding
as this medicine may not be suitable for you.
Do not use Indometacin if you are on your 3rd trimester of pregnancy, or planning to have a baby soon. If you become pregnant while being treated with this medicine, alert your doctor immediately. Indometacin may cause harm to your unborn child.
This medicine should not be used to treat pain in the setting of coronary artery bypass graft surgery (a procedure to improve and restore the blood flow in the heart).
Inform your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- heart disease
- kidney disease
- liver disease
- high blood pressure
- bleeding or blood clot disorder
- epilepsy (fits or seizures)
- mental illness e.g. depression
- Parkinson’s disease (a disorder that affects the movement of a person, causing symptoms such as tremors, muscle stiffness, slowed movement and impaired balance or walking)
- systemic lupus erythematosus (an autoimmune disease that causes inflammation)
- infection or sepsis (severe infection)
- asthma
- history of inflammatory bowel disease e.g. Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis
- low volume of fluid around the cells of the body
Let your doctor know if you are on your 1st or 2nd trimester of pregnancy, or breastfeeding.
Be sure to check with your doctor or pharmacist before giving Indometacin to the elderly. Elderly people may be more sensitive to the side effects.
If you are going to have an operation, including minor surgery and dental work, inform your doctor or dentist that you are using this medicine.
Avoid long-term use of any painkillers.
For as long as you are using this medicine, you may need to have regular blood tests, liver and kidney function tests to check your body’s response to the medicine. Your doctor will advise you about how often you need to have these tests.
Indometacin may cause drowsiness, dizziness, or blurred vision. If affected, do not drive or take part in any activity in which you need to be alert or need to see clearly.
Other side effects include any of the following: nausea, vomiting, indigestion, constipation, diarrhoea, headache, lightheadedness, muscle weakness, rash, and rectal irritation or pain.
Some side effects may need immediate medical help. Alert your doctor quickly if you experience any of the following:
- difficulty breathing
- swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat
- pass blood or black tarry stool
- rashes with peeling of the skin or blistering of the lips, mouth or eyes accompanied by fever
- yellowing of the skin or eyes, abdominal pain, dark coloured urine, tiredness, swelling in the legs and ankles
- unable to pass urine, changes in amount of urine passed, blood in urine, weight gain
- trouble speaking or thinking, change in balance, vision changes
Inform your doctor if any of these side effects do not go away or are severe, or if you experience other side effects.
Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any of these medicines:
- medicines for high blood pressure e.g. captopril, losartan, propranolol
- water pills or medicines for water retention e.g. furosemide
- digoxin (medicine for heart disease)
- medicines used in organ transplant or certain immune disorders e.g. ciclosporin, methotrexate, tacrolimus
- blood-thinning medicines e.g. warfarin, aspirin
- anti-inflammatory medicines e.g. prednisolone
- medicines for mood disorder e.g. lithium, haloperidol
- probenecid (medicine for high uric acid in the blood)
- certain antibiotics e.g. ciprofloxacin
- tiludronic acid (medicine for bone disease)
- other NSAIDs (medicines for pain and inflammation) e.g. diflunisal
This list does not include all medicines that may interact with Indometacin.
Always notify your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including herbal tonics such as traditional Chinese medicines, supplements and medicines that you buy without a prescription.
Avoid alcohol.
Store in a cool, dry place away from the reach of children.
Medicines must not be used past the expiry date.
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