Antirheumatic ; Anti - inflammatory nonsteroidal ; Antigout agent ; Antipyretic ; Antidysmenorrheal ; Vascular headache prophylactic ; Vascular headache suppressant ; Prostaglandin synthesis inhibitor, renal (Bartter's syndrome) ; Ductus arteriosus, patent, closure adjunct.

Indomethacin inhibits the activity of the enzyme cyclo - oxygenase, resulting in decreased formation of precursors of prostaglandins and thromboxanes from arachidonic acid.

Treatment: Rheumatic disease, such as: Arthritis, rheumatoid - Arthritis, psoriatic - Reiter's disease - Rheumatic complications associated with Paget's disease of bone; Gouty arthritis, acute; Calcium pyrophosphate deposition disease, acute; Fever, due to malignancy; Headache, vascular; Bartter's syndrome; Ductus arteriosus, patent; Bursitis and Tendinitis.
It is indicated for the relief of: Osteoarthritis - Ankylosing spondylitis -Arthritis, juvenile - Pericarditis.

Risk - benefit should be considered when the following medical problems exist: Conditions predisposing to renal insufficiency, such as:
Congestive heart failure - Extracellular volume depletion - Hepatic function impairment.
Contraindications are: Bleeding, active, especially intracranial or gastrointestinal - Coagulation defects - Enterocolitis, necrotizing, proven or suspected - Heart disease - Lesions - Infection untreated - Jaundice, severe - Renal function impairment - Allergic reaction - Anemia - Asthma - Epilepsy - Mental depression - Parkinsonism - Stomatitis - Systemic lupus erythematosus.

Although studies in humans have not been done, but it has been shown that indomethacin crosses the placenta.
Indomethacin is distributed into breast milk. Risk benefit must be considered.

In addition to the interactions listed below, the possibility should be considered that additive or multiple effects leading to impaired blood clotting and / or increased risk of bleeding may occur if indomethacin is used concurrently with any medication having a significant potential for causing hypoprothrombinemia, thrombocytopenia, or gastrointestinal ulceration or hemorrhage.
Digoxin - Cyclosporine - Dipyridamole - Penicillamine Sympathomimetics - Thiazide diuretics - Ranitidine - Cimetidine - Probenecid - Salicylates - Anticoagulants - ACE inhibitors - Beta blockers - Methotrexate - Lithium - Hydantoins - Loop diuretics - Alcohol - Antidiabetic agents - Zidovudine - Acetaminophen - Valproic acid.

Those indicating need for medical attention:
Incidence more frequent - Gastrointestinal problems; Renal and hepatic function impairment; Hypersensitivity; CNS effects; Headache (severe); Hyperkalemia; Edema; Tinnitus; Dermatitis. Incidence less frequent -Bleeding problems; hypoglycemia.

Usual adult dose:
Antirheumatic ; Anti - inflammatory; Antigout agent or Antipyretic - Rectal, 50 mg up to 4 times a day.
Usual adult prescribing limits: Rectal or combined oral and rectal, 200 mg per day.
Usual pediatric dose:
See capsules dose.