Drug Uses

Indocin is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug that is used to relieve the inflammation and joint pain associated with moderate or severe rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. It is also used to cure treat bursitis, tendinitis (acute painful shoulder).

Usage

Take Indocin exactly as prescribed by your doctor. You may also take it with a full glass of water or with an antacid.

Missed Dose

You should try and take your doses on time taking care not to miss any. But if you do miss a dose, then skip it and continue with your regular dose. But do not take a double dose.

Storage

Store it at room temperature and keep away from children.

Overdose

Seek medical attention immediately if you suspect an overdose. The symptoms of an Indocin overdose include convulsions, disorientation, dizziness, intense headache, lethargy, mental confusion, nausea, numbness, tingling.

More Information

Use with caution if you are taking blood-thinning medication, have kidney or liver disease, heart disease or high blood pressure. The drug may cause light-headedness, dizziness, and faintness in some people. Do not consume alcohol along with the drug. Do not drive or handle heavy machinery until you know how to react to the drug.

Warnings/Precautions

Do not use Indocin if:

you are allergic to any ingredient in Indocin;
you have had a severe allergic reaction (e.g., severe rash, hives, trouble breathing, growths in the nose, dizziness) to aspirin or a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) (e.g., ibuprofen, celecoxib);
you have recently had or will be having bypass heart surgery;
you are taking diflunisal, another NSAID (e.g., ibuprofen), or triamterene;
you are in the last 3 months of pregnancy;
Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Important :
Indocin may cause dizziness or drowsiness. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Indocin with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
Serious stomach ulcers or bleeding can occur with the use of Indocin. Taking it in high doses or for a long time, smoking, or drinking alcohol increases the risk of these side effects. Taking Indocin with food will not reduce the risk of these effects. Contact your doctor or emergency room at once if you develop severe stomach or back pain; black, tarry stools; vomit that looks like blood or coffee grounds; or unusual weight gain or swelling.
Do not take more than the recommended dose or use for longer than prescribed without checking with your doctor.
Indocin is an NSAID. Before you start any new medicine, check the label to see if it has an NSAID (e.g., ibuprofen) in it too. If it does or if you are not sure, check with your doctor or pharmacist.
Do not take aspirin while you are using Indocin unless your doctor tells you to.
Indocin may interfere with certain lab tests. Be sure your doctor and lab personnel know that you take Indocin.
Lab tests, including kidney function, complete blood cell counts, and blood pressure, may be performed while you use Indocin. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
Use Indocin with caution in the elderly; they may be more sensitive to its effects, especially stomach bleeding and kidney problems.
Indocin should be used with extreme caution in children younger than 14 years old; safety and effectiveness in these children have not been confirmed.
Indocin may cause harm to the fetus. Do not use it during the last 3 months of pregnancy. If you think you may be pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Indocin while you are pregnant. Indocin is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Indocin.

Possible Side Effects

Check with your doctor if any of these most common side effects persist or become bothersome:

constipation; diarrhea; dizziness; gas; headache; heartburn; nausea; stomach upset.
Seek medical attention right away if any of these severe side effects occur:

severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; trouble breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); bloody or black, tarry stools; change in the amount of urine produced; chest pain; confusion; dark urine; depression; fainting; fast or irregular heartbeat; fever, chills, or persistent sore throat; mental or mood changes; numbness of an arm or leg; one-sided weakness; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin; ringing in the ears; seizures; severe headache or dizziness; severe or persistent stomach pain or nausea; severe vomiting; shortness of breath; sudden or unexplained weight gain; swelling of hands, legs, or feet; unusual bruising or bleeding; unusual joint or muscle pain; unusual tiredness or weakness; vision or speech changes; vomit that looks like coffee grounds; yellowing of the skin or eyes.
More Information

Indocin is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.