Canadian pharmacy buying guide: drug characteristics, uses and benefits, side effects and interactions, and links for further information about buying discount drugs online from Canada.

Indocin Consumer Information

INDOCIN

Generic Name: indomethacin (in doe METH a sin)

Brand Names: Indocin, Indocin SR

What is the most important information I should know about indomethacin?

• Take indomethacin with food, milk, or an antacid to lessen stomach upset.
• Do not crush, break, or chew any sustained-release formulations of indomethacin (e.g., Indocin SR). Swallow them whole.
• Contact your doctor if you experience bloody, black, or tarry stools or blood in vomit. These symptoms could indicate damage to the gastrointestinal tract.
• If you drink more than three alcoholic beverages a day, indomethacin may increase the risk of stomach bleeding.

What is indomethacin?

• Indomethacin is in a class of drugs called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Indomethacin works by reducing hormones that cause inflammation and pain in the body.
• Indomethacin is used to reduce the pain, inflammation, and stiffness caused by many conditions, such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, ankylosing spondylitis, tendinitis, and bursitis.
• Indomethacin may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking indomethacin?

• Before taking indomethacin, tell your doctor if you
• have an allergy to aspirin or any other NSAIDs,
• have an ulcer or bleeding in the stomach,
• drink more than three alcoholic beverages a day,
• have liver or kidney disease,
• have a coagulation (bleeding) disorder,
• have congestive heart failure,
• have fluid retention,
• have heart disease, or
• have high blood pressure.
• You may not be able to take indomethacin, or you may require a dosage ajdustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.
• Do not use indomethacin suppositories if you have a history of inflammation of the rectum (proctitis) or if you have recently had rectal bleeding.
• It is not known whether indomethacin taken early in pregnancy will be harmful to an unborn baby. Indomethacin must not be taken late in pregnancy (the third trimester) because it can affect the baby's heart. Do not take indomethacin without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment.
• Indomethacin passes into breast milk and may affect a nursing baby. Do not take indomethacin without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I take indomethacin?

• Take indomethacin exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these instructions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.
• Take each dose with a full glass of water.
• Take indomethacin with food, milk, or an antacid to lessen stomach upset.
• Do not break, crush, or chew any sustained-release formulations of indomethacin (e.g., Indocin SR). Swallow them whole.
• To prevent irritation of the esophagus (throat), do not lie down for 15 to 30 minutes after taking an oral dose of indomethacin.
• To ensure that you get a correct dose, measure the liquid form of indomethacin with a special dose-measuring spoon or cup, not with a regular tablespoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist where you can get one. Shake the suspension well before measuring a dose.
• Use the suppositories rectally as directed by your doctor. If you do not know how to properly use a suppository, ask your nurse, doctor, or pharmacist for instructions. Do not take the suppositories by mouth.
• Store indomethacin at room temperature away from moisture and heat. The suppositories and suspension can be stored at room temperature or in the refrigerator.

What happens if I miss a dose?

• Take the missed dose as soon as you remember up to 2 hours late. If more than 2 hours have passed since the missed dose, skip it and take only your next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose.

What happens if I overdose?

• Seek emergency medical attention if an overdose is suspected.
• Symptoms of an indomethacin overdose include nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, dizziness, drowsiness, headache, ringing in the ears, blurred vision, seizures, sweating, numbness or tingling, little or no urine production, and slow breathing.

What should I avoid while taking indomethacin?

• Avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight. Indomethacin may increase the sensitivity of the skin to sunlight. Use a sunscreen and wear protective clothing when exposure to the sun is unavoidable.
• If you drink more than three alcoholic beverages a day, indomethacin may increase the risk of stomach bleeding.

What are the possible side effects of indomethacin?

• If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking indomethacin and seek medical treatment or contact your doctor immediately:
• an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives);
• muscle cramps, numbness, or tingling;
• ulcers (open sores) in the mouth;
• rapid weight gain (fluid retention);
• seizures;
• black, bloody, or tarry stools;
• blood in urine or vomit;
• decreased hearing or ringing in the ears;
• jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes); or
• abdominal cramping, indigestion, or heartburn.
• Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take indomethacin and talk to your doctor if you experience
• dizziness or headache;
• nausea, gaseousness, diarrhea, or constipation;
• depression;
• fatigue or weakness;
• dry mouth; or
• irregular menstrual periods.
• Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What other drugs will affect indomethacin?

• Other prescription and over-the-counter drugs may interact with indomethacin. Tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following drugs:
• another nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) such as ketoprofen (Orudis, Orudis KT, Oruvail), naproxen (Naprosyn, Aleve, Anaprox), diclofenac (Voltaren, Cataflam), etodolac (Lodine), fenoprofen (Nalfon), flurbiprofen (Ansaid), ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil, others), ketorolac (Toradol), nabumetone (Relafen), oxaprozin (Daypro), piroxicam (Feldene), sulindac (Clinoril), or tolmetin (Tolectin);
• aspirin or another salicylate (form of aspirin) such as salsalate (Disalcid), choline salicylate, and magnesium salicylate;
• a diuretic (water pill) such as hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ, HydroDiuril, others), chlorothiazide (Diuril, others), chlorthalidone (Thalitone), bumetanide (Bumex), ethacrynic acid (Edecrin), furosemide (Lasix), spironolactone (Aldactone), and amiloride (Midamor);
• an anticoagulant such as warfarin (Coumadin);
• a steroid such as prednisone (Deltasone);
• an oral diabetes medication such as glipizide (Glucotrol) or glyburide (Micronase, Diabeta); or
• lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid, others).
• Talk to your doctor before taking indomethacin if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the ones listed above.
• Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with indomethacin. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including vitamins, minerals, and herbal products.

Where can I get more information?

• Your pharmacist has additional information about indomethacin written for health professionals that you may read.
• Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

Limitations of This Canadian Pharmacy Information

Efforts have been made to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. This information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. This is an educational resource only intended to supplement but not to replace the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, please check with your doctor, nurse or local pharmacist. This site does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided here.

Full public license and copyright information is available separately from Cerner Multum, Inc.

Version: 6.01. Revision date: 8/19/03.