Indomethacin
Pronunciation: in-doe-METH-a-sin.
- Generic name
- indomethacin (indometacin)
- Drug class
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)
- Form
- Capsule, extended-release capsule, oral suspension, or suppository depending on country and product
- Route
- Oral or rectal, depending on the exact product
- Legal status
- Prescription medicine; supply rules vary by country and formulation
Confirm the exact local product and access rules with a licensed clinician or pharmacist
Trade names by country: United States · United Kingdom
Australia: · Full directory
What indomethacin (indometacin) is and how it works
Indomethacin is a prescription NSAID used for pain and inflammation in selected conditions. Like other NSAIDs, it can increase the risk of serious cardiovascular thrombotic events and serious gastrointestinal bleeding, ulceration, or perforation. (1) (2)
The approved indication, formulation, dose, and duration depend on the country and exact product. Use the lowest effective dose for the shortest duration directed by the prescriber, and do not treat it as interchangeable with another NSAID.
Mechanism of action: how indomethacin (indometacin) works
Indomethacin is an NSAID that reduces prostaglandin synthesis through cyclo-oxygenase inhibition. Its anti-inflammatory effects are accompanied by class-related gastrointestinal, renal, and cardiovascular risks. (1) (2) (3)
What indomethacin (indometacin) is used for
Inflammatory joint conditions
United States oral prescribing information includes treatment of active rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and osteoarthritis of the hip. (1)
Acute gouty arthritis
Oral indomethacin is used for acute gouty arthritis in the United States label. It is not a self-treatment option; assessment is needed because symptoms can overlap with infection or other urgent joint problems. (1) (2)
Other clinician-directed inflammatory pain
Some labels include conditions such as acute painful shoulder or acute bursitis/tendinitis. Exact approved uses and available formulations differ by country. (1) (2)
Before taking indomethacin (indometacin)
Do not take / not appropriate for
- Do not take if you have had asthma, hives, or another allergic-type reaction after aspirin or another NSAID. (United States oral-label context) (1)
- Do not use for pain immediately before or after coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. (United States oral-label context) (1)
- Do not use a product if its leaflet says it is unsuitable for you, including where there is current or previous peptic ulcer or gastrointestinal bleeding. (product- and country-specific) (3)
Tell your clinician about
- Any heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, heart failure, swelling, or cardiovascular risk factors.
- Previous stomach ulcer, gastrointestinal bleeding, Crohn disease, ulcerative colitis, or bleeding disorder.
- Kidney disease, dehydration, liver disease, asthma, older age, or a history of NSAID allergy.
- Pregnancy, plans for pregnancy, breastfeeding, or fertility concerns.
- Every prescription, non-prescription, and herbal medicine, especially aspirin, other NSAIDs, anticoagulants, antiplatelet medicines, corticosteroids, diuretics, ACE inhibitors, or ARBs.
How to take indomethacin (indometacin)
- Use only the exact product, route, dose, and duration prescribed for you.
- Do not switch between immediate-release, extended-release, liquid, and rectal products unless the prescriber specifically instructs you.
- Do not combine with aspirin or another NSAID unless the clinician who manages your care says to do so.
- Use the lowest effective dose for the shortest necessary time, and contact the prescriber if symptoms persist or worsen.
- Read the leaflet supplied with your own product, including food, swallowing, and rectal-use instructions where relevant.
Surgery, procedures, and acute illness
Tell the surgeon, anaesthetist, dentist, and treating clinician that you use indomethacin. Do not use it around CABG surgery, and seek advice during vomiting, diarrhoea, or poor fluid intake because dehydration can increase kidney risk. (1) (2)
Missed dose
Missed-dose timing differs across capsules, extended-release capsules, suspension, and rectal products -- follow the exact leaflet for your product, or ask a pharmacist or prescriber. Do not take two doses together or take extra medicine to catch up.
United States
Follow the exact capsule, extended-release capsule, or suspension label and your prescriber’s instructions; do not double a missed dose. (2)
United Kingdom
Follow the patient leaflet for the exact product, including rectal products, or ask a pharmacist or prescriber if uncertain. (3)
Other countries
Use the local product leaflet because formulations, strengths, and instructions may differ. (1)
Overdose
Seek urgent medical advice or contact a poison centre if too much indomethacin may have been taken. Take the packet or medicine container with you. Do not wait for symptoms or try to manage a suspected overdose at home. (2) (1)
Side effects
Side effects can include gastrointestinal and nervous-system symptoms. Serious cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, allergic, kidney, and skin reactions require prompt assessment.
Stomach symptoms
What to notice: Indigestion, nausea, abdominal discomfort, diarrhoea, or constipation may occur.
What to do: Contact a clinician if symptoms are severe or persistent; do not ignore black stools, vomiting blood, or severe abdominal pain. (2) (1)
Headache, dizziness, or drowsiness
What to notice: You may feel dizzy, light-headed, or less alert.
What to do: Avoid driving or hazardous tasks if affected. Seek advice if symptoms are severe, new, or accompanied by neurological symptoms. (2) (3)
Fluid retention or possible kidney problem
What to notice: Swelling, rapid weight gain, reduced urine, unusual tiredness, or shortness of breath.
What to do: Contact a clinician promptly; seek urgent care for severe shortness of breath or chest symptoms. (1) (2)
Liver-related symptoms
What to notice: Nausea, persistent fatigue, right upper abdominal pain, dark urine, pale stools, or yellow skin or eyes.
What to do: Obtain urgent medical advice immediately; a clinician or emergency service will decide on treatment. (1) (2)
Serious warnings
Heart attack or stroke risk — emergency
Symptoms: Chest pain, shortness of breath, sudden weakness on one side, slurred speech, or sudden severe headache.
Action: Call emergency services immediately. NSAID cardiovascular risk can occur early in treatment and may increase with dose or duration. (1) (2)
Gastrointestinal bleeding, ulceration, or perforation — emergency
Symptoms: Black or bloody stools, vomiting blood or material like coffee grounds, severe stomach pain, fainting, or unusual weakness.
Action: Get urgent medical help immediately. Serious bleeding can occur without warning symptoms; a clinician or emergency service will decide whether to stop the medicine. (1) (2) (3)
Serious allergic or skin reaction — emergency
Symptoms: Wheezing, swelling of the face or throat, trouble breathing, widespread rash, blistering, peeling skin, or mouth sores.
Action: Seek emergency medical help immediately; a clinician or emergency service will decide whether to stop the medicine. (1) (2)
Pregnancy risk — high caution
Symptoms: There may be no immediate symptoms. NSAID exposure at about 20 weeks of pregnancy or later can cause fetal kidney problems and low amniotic fluid; later pregnancy has additional risks.
Action: Contact the prescriber promptly if pregnant or planning pregnancy; the treatment decision, including whether to start, continue, or stop, is made by the clinician. (1) (2) (3)
Interactions
| Medicine or test | Effect | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Aspirin and other NSAIDs | Can increase adverse effects, including gastrointestinal toxicity and bleeding risk. | Do not combine unless a clinician specifically directs it. (1) (2) |
| Anticoagulants, antiplatelet medicines, SSRIs, or corticosteroids | May increase the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding or other bleeding complications. | Tell the prescriber before starting, changing, or combining treatment; seek urgent help for bleeding symptoms. (1) (2) |
| ACE inhibitors, ARBs, diuretics, or dehydration | May reduce kidney perfusion or alter blood-pressure control, increasing kidney-risk concern in susceptible people. | Review medicines and hydration status with a clinician; blood pressure and kidney tests may be needed. (1) |
| Lithium, methotrexate, digoxin, or ciclosporin | Indomethacin can change exposure or toxicity risk of certain medicines. | A clinician or pharmacist must review the complete medicine list before use. (1) (2) |
Pregnancy, breastfeeding, kidney/liver function, age
Pregnancy and fertility
Use in pregnancy needs specialist clinical advice. NSAID use from about 20 weeks requires particular caution, and the product leaflet may advise against later-pregnancy use. NSAIDs may also affect fertility while being taken. (1) (2) (3)
Breastfeeding
Discuss breastfeeding with the prescriber and use the exact local product information; do not assume guidance for one formulation or country applies to another. (3)
Kidney, liver, heart disease, and older adults
These conditions can increase the likelihood or consequences of NSAID adverse effects. Individual assessment, laboratory monitoring, and the lowest effective dose may be needed. (1) (2)
Children
Age suitability and dosing are product-specific. Do not use an adult product or copy another person’s dose without an appropriate clinician’s advice. (2)
Monitoring
Before starting
- Confirm the exact indication and product formulation.
- Review cardiovascular disease, gastrointestinal history, kidney and liver function, pregnancy status, asthma, blood pressure, and all medicines.
- Discuss the intended duration and the action plan for gastrointestinal or cardiovascular warning symptoms.
During treatment
- Use the lowest effective dose for the shortest appropriate time and report persistent symptoms.
- Seek urgent help for bleeding, chest pain, stroke symptoms, breathing difficulty, severe rash, or collapse.
- Clinicians may monitor blood pressure, kidney function, liver tests, blood count, and signs of gastrointestinal bleeding depending on risk and duration.
Storage
Store in the original container, out of sight and reach of children. Follow the storage instructions in the leaflet for your exact oral or rectal product.
United States: Follow the product label and keep the medicine securely stored away from children. (2)
United Kingdom: Follow the Indocid suppository leaflet and pharmacist advice for your exact product. (3)
Professional information
Clinician-facing context only. Use the exact local product label, formulary, contraindications, monitoring recommendations, and acute-gout pathway. No universal dose is displayed.
United States
Indication: Oral indomethacin indications
Dose summary: No page-level dose is provided. Select the exact formulation and dose from the current local prescribing information, using the lowest effective dose for the shortest duration.
Renal context: Assess renal function, hydration, cardiovascular status, interacting medicines, gastrointestinal history, and pregnancy status before and during use when clinically indicated. (1)
United Kingdom
Indication: Indocid rectal formulation
Dose summary: Use the product-specific leaflet and local prescribing reference; do not transfer an oral regimen to a suppository product.
Renal context: Consider gastrointestinal history, renal and hepatic impairment, cardiovascular risk, pregnancy, and concurrent medicines. (3)
Hepatic guidance
Use caution in hepatic impairment and investigate symptoms or laboratory abnormalities suggesting liver injury. Product-specific prescribing information remains controlling.
Overdose note
Manage suspected overdose according to local toxicology and emergency protocols, including the exact product, time, amount, co-ingestants, and clinical state. There is no public dose calculator on this page. (1) (2) (3)
Frequently asked questions
Is indomethacin an over-the-counter painkiller?
No. Indomethacin is a prescription NSAID. The exact product and supply rules vary by country. (1) (2)
Can indomethacin be used for gout?
An oral United States label includes acute gouty arthritis, but gout-like pain can have other causes and treatment must be selected by a clinician based on the individual’s risks and medicines. (1) (2)
Can I take indomethacin with ibuprofen, naproxen, or aspirin?
Do not combine it with another NSAID unless the clinician specifically directs you. The combination can increase harm, including gastrointestinal bleeding risk. (1) (2)
Can I drink alcohol while taking indomethacin?
Alcohol can add to stomach and bleeding concerns. Ask a clinician or pharmacist for individual advice, particularly if you have a history of ulcer or bleeding or use medicines that affect bleeding. (2) (1)
Why are the serious warnings so prominent?
Indomethacin carries serious cardiovascular and gastrointestinal warnings. These events can be life-threatening and may occur without warning symptoms, so prompt action matters. (1)
Are indomethacin and indometacin the same?
Yes. Indometacin is a spelling used in some countries, including on the United Kingdom Indocid leaflet. (3)
What is the mechanism of action of indomethacin (indometacin)?
Indomethacin is an NSAID that reduces prostaglandin synthesis through cyclo-oxygenase inhibition. Its anti-inflammatory effects are accompanied by class-related gastrointestinal, renal, and cardiovascular risks. (1) (2) (3)
What is the generic name of Indomethacin?
References
- INDOMETHACIN capsule — prescribing information (Chartwell RX)DailyMed, U.S. National Library of Medicine · United States · accessed 2026-07-26 · source 1
- Indomethacin: MedlinePlus Drug InformationMedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine · United States · accessed 2026-07-26 · source 2
- Indometacin 100 mg suppositories (Indocid) — Patient Information Leafletelectronic Medicines Compendium (UK) · United Kingdom · accessed 2026-07-21 · source 3
Brand names by country
Single-ingredient indomethacin (indometacin) names are shown separately by country. Product availability, strengths, and supply rules can change; combination products are not included here.
Priority countries
United States
- Indocin50 mg, 25 mg/5mL · zyla life sciences us inc.
United Kingdom
- Indocid (3)current labelled brand · 100 mg · Pfizer Limited