Indocin

(indomethacin)

●●●●●
4.2/ 5 average rating with 26 reviewsforIndocin
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Treats pain and swelling.

Skip Upsides & Downsides section. Skip to side effects section.

Our bottom line

Indocin (indomethacin) works well for mild to moderate pain and swelling, but it shouldn't be used long-term since it has some serious side effects.

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Quick facts about Indocin
  • Drug class: Pain
  • Rx status: Prescription only
  • Generic status: Lower-cost generic available (indomethacin)

Upsides

  • Effective option to relieve mild to moderate pain and swelling.
  • Treats inflammation problems, such as rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and acute gout attacks.
  • In studies, Indocin (indomethacin) was more effective than Tylenol for treating osteoarthritis pain.
  • It works as well as Celebrex for treating an acute gout attacks.
  • Available in capsules, long-acting capsules, suppositories, and as a suspension. All forms, except the suspension, are available as generic medications.
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What to expect from Indocin, on one page

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People’s experience with Indocin

26reviews so far. What do you think?

Downsides

  • Indocin (indomethacin) can cause serious heart and stomach problems. The risk goes up the longer you take it, but problems can happen at any time. Don't take Indocin (indomethacin) any longer than your doctor recommends.
  • Indocin (indomethacin) raises your risk of bleeding, especially when taken with other blood-thinning medicines.
  • There are similar medicines that you don't have to take as often and can work just as well.
  • Not a good choice if you have kidney, liver, or stomach problems.
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What to expect from Indocin, on one page

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How it works

Indocin (indomethacin) is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). It blocks the inflammation process in your body, which relieves swelling and pain.

Quick facts about Indocin
  • Drug class: Pain
  • Rx status: Prescription only
  • Generic status: Lower-cost generic available (indomethacin)

Used for

Dosage forms

  • Pill
  • Extended release
  • Liquid
  • Suppository
People’s experience with Indocin

26reviews so far. What do you think?

Prices and coupons

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What to expect when you take Indocin (indomethacin) for Pain

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  • First few hoursHours
    First few daysDays
    First few weeksWeeks
    First few monthsMonths
  • Effectiveness
  • Starts to kick in
    Full effects
  • First few hoursHours
    First few daysDays
    First few weeksWeeks
    First few monthsMonths
  • Possible side effects
  • Nausea
  • Headache
  • Dizziness
  • Swelling after surgery
  • Constipation
  • Itchy skin
Skip side effects section. Skip to risks and warnings section.

Side effect rates for Indocin (indomethacin)

From 372 clinical trials of Indocin when taken for mild to moderate acute pain (40 mg bid)
  • Nausea
    33%33%
    36%36%
  • Swelling after surgery
    22%22%
    32%32%
  • Headache
    14%14%
    11%11%
  • Dizziness
    14%14%
    17%17%
  • Bleeding after surgery
    11%11%
    6%6%
  • Vomiting
    10%10%
    11%11%
  • Constipation
    5%5%
    5%5%
  • Itchy skin
    3%3%
  • Diarrhea
    3%3%
    1%1%
  • Lightheadedness
    3%3%
    2%2%
  • Indigestion
    2%2%
    1%1%
  • Sleepiness
    2%2%
    1%1%
  • Excessive sweating
    2%2%
    1%1%
  • Lack of appetite
    2%2%
    1%1%
  • Fainting
    2%2%
    1%1%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
Where we got our data »

The placebo bar shows how common a side effect was for people taking a sugar pill instead of Indocin.

Indocin (indomethacin)
Placebo

People taking Indocin felt side effect more

People taking Indocin felt side effect less

No difference

Risks and Warnings for Indocin (indomethacin)

Skip risks section. Skip to common concerns section.
    • Higher risk if:
    • › History of heart disease
    • › High blood pressure
    • › Smoking

    Indocin (indomethacin) can raise your chance of having a blood clot, heart attack, or stroke. The longer you take it, the higher your risk. Talk to your doctor about taking the lowest dose that works for you, for the shortest time possible.

    This is a black box warning. The FDA requires this warning when there is a significant risk of serious or life-threatening effects that anyone taking the drug should consider.

Means that some groups have a high risk of experiencing this side effect

Common concerns from people taking Indocin (indomethacin)

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Pregnancy

Research studies with real people found harmful effects on unborn babies, but the benefits might outweigh the risks even if you’re pregnant. Talk with your doctor.

See the FDA package insertSee pregnancy safe medications
Tip: Always talk with your doctor before you take any medication while pregnant.
FDA pregnancy category for Indocin
DWeigh risks vs. benefits
Food
  • Take with food or milk to help prevent upset stomach.
  • Worth it
    Worked well
    Low hassle
    Reviewed Indocinon 10/26/2016take with food
    24
    Woman
    Pain (short-term)
  • Worth it
    Worked well
    Some hassle
    Reviewed Indocinon 5/31/2017It works very well (it just needs about 2 hours to kick-in) but needs to be taken with food. Unfortunately, it's getting withdrawn from pharmacies gradually worldwide because of possible side effects for stomach and heart-attack!!
    41
    Man
    Just as needed
    Rheumatoid arthritis
  • Worth it
    Worked well
    Low hassle
    Reviewed Indocinon 9/26/2016Make sure you take with food. I made the mistake of not and could not function at work.
    29
    Woman
    Gouty arthritis
Kidneys and liver
  • Indocin (indomethacin) is processed by the kidney and liver. If you have kidney or liver problems, talk to your doctor because you might need a lower dose of Indocin (indomethacin), or your doctor might use a different medicine. Your doctor might have you do regular blood tests to make sure your kidneys and liver are healthy while you’re taking Indocin (indomethacin).
  • Not a good choice if you have kidney, liver, or stomach problems.
Pain
  • In studies, Indocin (indomethacin) was more effective than Tylenol for treating osteoarthritis pain.
  • Worth it
    Didn’t work
    Low hassle
    Reviewed IndocinWorks rather quickly for gout. Pain while walking started reducing within about 8 hours of 1st dose. (75mg)
    54
    Man
  • Worth it
    Worked well
    Low hassle
    Reviewed Indocinon 1/16/2017I've taken Indometacin for over 3 years as needed for gout and gouty aches and pains, usually one or two a day when the symptoms start, up to 3 if severe. Works fast and effectively. I've not had any side effects.
    71
    Man
    Gouty arthritis
  • Not sure
    Worked so-so
    Big hassle
    Reviewed indomethacinon 2/11/2018suggest taking it only until pain subsides, no longer.
    76
    Man
    Less than a week
    Would rather not say
Sleep
  • Worth it
    Worked well
    Some hassle
    Reviewed indomethacinon 2/26/2020Take it before sleep.
    41
    Woman
    A couple weeks
    Pain