Indometacin for pain and inflammation

About indometacin

Anti-inflammatory painkillers like indometacin are sometimes called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), or just 'anti-inflammatories'. Indometacin is used to treat painful conditions such as arthritis, sprains and strains, back pain, period (menstrual) pain, and gout pain.

Indometacin works by blocking the effect of chemicals in your body, called cyclo-oxygenase (COX) enzymes. These enzymes help to make other chemicals in the body, called prostaglandins. Some prostaglandins are produced at sites of injury or damage, and cause pain and inflammation. By blocking the effect of COX enzymes, fewer prostaglandins are produced, which means pain and inflammation are eased.

Before taking indometacin

Some medicines are not suitable for people with certain conditions, and sometimes a medicine may only be used if extra care is taken. For these reasons, before you start taking indometacin, it is important that your doctor knows:

• Si padece asma o cualquier otro trastorno alérgico.

• Si ha tenido alguna vez una úlcera de estómago o de duodeno, o si padece un trastorno inflamatorio intestinal como la enfermedad de Crohn o la colitis ulcerosa.

• Si está embarazada o en periodo de lactancia.

• If you are over 65 years of age.

• Si tiene problemas hepáticos o renales.

• Si padece una enfermedad cardiaca o un problema vascular o circulatorio.

• Si tiene la tensión alta.

• If you have a high blood sugar level or cholesterol level.

• If you are a smoker.

• If you have epilepsy, or Parkinson's disease, or a mental health problem.

• Si tiene problemas de coagulación de la sangre.

• If you have a connective tissue disorder, such as systemic lupus erythematosus. This condition is also called lupus, or SLE.

• If you are taking any other medicines. This includes any medicines you are taking which are available to buy without a prescription, such as herbal and complementary medicines.

• Si alguna vez ha tenido una reacción alérgica a cualquier otro AINE (como aspirina, naproxeno, diclofenaco e ibuprofeno), o a cualquier otro medicamento.

How to take indometacin

• Before you start taking indometacin, read the manufacturer's printed information leaflet from inside the pack. There are several strengths of indometacin capsule available. The manufacturer's leaflet will give you more information about the strength of capsule you have been given, and it will also provide you with a full list of the side-effects which you may experience.

• Follow the instructions given by your doctor for taking indometacin. Your dose will depend upon the reason why you are taking it - you may be asked to take just one dose a day, or several doses each day. Your dose will be printed on the label of the pack, but if you are still unsure what to do, ask your pharmacist for advice.

• Take indometacin capsules with a meal or after a snack. Doing this can help to prevent side-effects such as indigestion. Many people find it helps to swallow the capsules with a drink.

• Si olvida tomar una dosis, tómela en cuanto se acuerde (a menos que sea casi la hora de la siguiente dosis, en cuyo caso omita la dosis olvidada). No tome dos dosis juntas para compensar la dosis olvidada.

Aproveche al máximo su tratamiento

• Your doctor will try to prescribe you the lowest dose for the shortest time in order to reduce the risk of side-effects. If you need to take indometacin for a long time, your doctor may want to prescribe another medicine along with it to protect your stomach from irritation.

• Try to keep any regular appointments with your doctor. This is so your doctor can check on your progress, and is especially important if you are taking indometacin for a long-term condition.

• If you have asthma, symptoms such as wheeze or breathlessness can be made worse by anti-inflammatories. If this happens to you, you should stop taking indometacin and see your doctor as soon as possible.

• If you buy any medicines, check with a pharmacist that they are safe to take with an anti-inflammatory. This is because you should not take indometacin with any other anti-inflammatory painkiller, some of which are available in cold and flu remedies which can be bought over the counter.

• Si va a someterse a una operación o a un tratamiento dental, comunique a la persona que lleve a cabo el tratamiento qué medicamentos está tomando.

Can indometacin cause problems?

Along with their useful effects, most medicines can cause unwanted side-effects although not everyone experiences them. The table below contains some of the most common ones associated with indometacin. You will find a full list in the manufacturer's information leaflet supplied with your medicine. The unwanted effects often improve as your body adjusts to the new medicine, but speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following continue or become troublesome.

Important: if you experience any of the following less common but more serious symptoms, stop taking indometacin and contact your doctor for advice straightaway:

• Si tiene dificultades respiratorias, como sibilancias o disnea.

• Si presenta cualquier signo de reacción alérgica, como hinchazón alrededor de la boca o la cara, o una erupción cutánea con picor intenso.

• If you pass blood or black stools, vomit blood, or have severe tummy (abdominal) pains.

Si experimenta cualquier otro síntoma que considere que puede deberse al medicamento, consulte a su médico o farmacéutico.

How to store indometacin

• Mantenga todos los medicamentos fuera del alcance y de la vista de los niños.

• Almacenar en un lugar fresco y seco, lejos del calor y la luz directos.
  

Información importante sobre todos los medicamentos