Drug Uses

Indocin is used to relieve the inflammation and joint pain associated with moderate or severe rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. It might also be used by your doctor in treatment of bursitis, tendinitis (acute painful shoulder).

Usage

Following the dosage instructions of your doctor is the best way to use any medication. If you are unsure or do not remember the instructions then you may read the medicine label for more detailed information.

Please drink a full glass of water with Indocin or take it with any antacid.

Missed Dose

Despite your best attempts at remembering, if you still miss out on a dose, then take it as soon as you remember about it. But keep in mind that you will have to adjust your next dose by spacing it out by 4 to 5 hours. If this is not possible, then the best thing to do would be to skip the missed dose and continue with your normal dosage schedule.

Never try to compensate for the missed dose by taking a double dose together. It may cause adverse effects.

Storage

Store Indocin at room temperature (read medicine label if unsure). Protect it from kids and pets.

Overdose

An overdose of Indocin may have adverse effects that require immediate medical attention. Contact the nearest emergency poison control center immediately if you notice effects like convulsions, disorientation, dizziness, intense headache, lethargy, mental confusion, nausea, numbness, tingling.

Side Effects

Most medications have some kind of side effects associated with them. The commonest of these side effects are temporary and mild and fade away without any special attention.

These include constipation; diarrhea; dizziness; gas; headache; heartburn; nausea; stomach upset.

However, in some cases, these mild side effects may persist or become bothersome. In such cases, seek medical attention.

Also, in some rare cases, it may lead to severe side effects like 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.

Seek medical attention if you notice any of these side effects.

Side effects that are not listed here may also occur.

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.