Indometacin

Indometacin, also known as indomethacin, is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, an NSAID. As an NSAID, indomethacin is an analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic.

Clinical indications for indomethacin include:

• rheumatoid arthritis
• alkylosing spondylitis
• osteoarthritis
• gouty arthritis

It is also be used in mensrual pain, headaches, dental pain, postoperative and postpartum pain.

Generic Name 藥名	HA Code 藥物代碼	Classification藥物分類
Indomethacin Capsule 25 mg		P1S1S3

Mechanism of Action

Non-opioid Analgesic (NSAID) Anti-inflammatory agent, Nonselective COX inhibitor, inhibits COX-1 and COX-2

Dosage

In chronic musculoskeletal and joint disorders:

Oral: 25 mg two to three times daily, increased if required by 25 to 50 mg at weekly intervals to 150 to 200mg daily.

To alleviate night pain and morning stiffness, up to 100 mg of the total daily dose may be given orally, or rectally as a suppository, on retiring. Alternatively, the total daily dose may be given retally as 100 mg in the morning and at night. The total daily combined oral and rectal doses should not exceed 200 mg.

In acute gout: Oral: 150 to 200 mg in divided doses until all symptoms and signs subsided

In dysmenorrhea Oral: 75 mg daily

Indomethacin is used as 0.1% eye drops to prevent miosis瞳孔縮小 during cataract surgery; the usual dose is 2 drops 3 hours before and 2 drops 1 hour before surgery.

A 0.5% eye drop is also available for the prevention of miosis and inflammation associated with cataract surgery.

In other inflammatory eye disorders, the usual dose is 1 drop of the 0.1% indomethacin eye drop 4 to 6 times daily until symptoms are resolved.

Administration in children Aged 1 month to 17 years; Oral: 0.5 to 1 mg/kg twice daily.

Side Effects

For NSAIDs in general Common side effects include heartburn, nausea, dyspepsia, diarrhoea, constipation, gastrointestinal ulceration/bleeding, headache, dizziness, rashes, salt and fluid retention, and high blood pressure.