Indocin, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, is used to relieve the inflammation, swelling, stiffness and joint pain associated with moderate or severe rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis (the most common form of arthritis), and ankylosing spondylitis (arthritis of the spine). It is also used to treat bursitis, tendinitis (acute painful shoulder), acute gouty arthritis, and other kinds of pain.
		You should have frequent checkups with your doctor if you take Indocin regularly. Ulcers or internal bleeding can occur without warning.
		Indocin should be taken with food or an antacid, and with a full glass of water. Never take on an empty stomach. * Take this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. * If you are using Indocin for arthritis, it should be taken regularly. * If you are taking the liquid form of this medicine, shake the bottle well before each use. * Indocin SR capsules should be swallowed whole, not crushed or broken. * Do not lie down for about 20 to 30 minutes after taking Indocin. This helps prevent irritation that could lead to trouble in swallowing. * If you miss a dose... Take the forgotten dose as soon as you remember. If it is time for your next dose, skip the one you missed and return to your regular schedule. Never take a double dose. * Storage instructions... The liquid and suppository forms of Indocin may be stored at room temperature. Keep both forms from extreme heat, and protect the liquid from freezing.
		Side effects cannot be anticipated. If any develop or change in intensity inform your doctor as soon as possible. Only your doctor can determine if it is safe for you to continue taking Indocin. More common side effects may include... Abdominal pain, constipation, depression, diarrhea, dizziness, fatigue, headache, heartburn, indigestion, nausea, ringing in the ears, sleepiness or excessive drowsiness, stomach pain, stomach upset, vertigo, vomiting. Less common or rare side effects may include... Anemia, anxiety, asthma, behavior disturbances, bloating, blurred vision, breast changes, changes in heart rate, chest pain, coma, congestive heart failure, convulsions, decrease in white blood cells, fever, fluid in lungs, fluid retention, flushing, gas, hair loss, hepatitis, high or low blood pressure, hives, itching, increase in blood sugar, insomnia, kidney failure, labored breathing, light-headedness, loss of appetite, mental confusion, muscle weakness, nosebleed, peptic ulcer, problems in hearing, rash, rectal bleeding, Stevens-Johnson syndrome (skin peeling), stomach or intestinal bleeding, sweating, twitching, unusual redness of skin, vaginal bleeding, weight gain, worsening of epilepsy, yellow eyes and skin.
		If you are sensitive to or have ever had an allergic reaction to Indocin, aspirin, or similar drugs, or if you have had asthma attacks caused by aspirin or other drugs of this type, you should not take this medication. Make sure that your doctor is aware of any drug reactions that you have experienced. Do not use Indocin suppositories if you have a history of rectal inflammation or recent rectal bleeding.
		Indocin prolongs bleeding time. If you are taking blood-thinning medication, this drug should be taken with caution. Your doctor should prescribe the lowest possible effective dose. The incidence of side effects increases as dosage increases. Peptic ulcers and bleeding can occur without warning, especially in people over 65. This drug should be used with caution if you have kidney or liver disease, and it can cause liver inflammation in some people. Do not take aspirin or any other anti-inflammatory medications while taking Indocin, unless your doctor tells you to do so. If you have heart disease or high blood pressure, this drug can increase water retention. This drug can mask the symptoms of an existing infection. Indocin may cause you to become drowsy or less alert; therefore, driving or operating dangerous machinery or participating in any hazardous activity that requires full mental alertness is not recommended. Indocin may also cause confusion and, rarely, psychosis, especially in older adults.
		If Indocin is taken with certain other drugs, the effects of either could be increased, decreased or altered. It is especially important to check with your doctor before combining Indocin with the following: Aspirin Beta-blockers such as the blood pressure medications Tenormin and Inderal Blood-thinning medicines such as Coumadin Captopril (Capoten) Cyclosporine (Sandimmune) Diflunisal (Dolobid) Digoxin (Lanoxin) Lithium (Eskalith) Loop diuretics (Lasix) Other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as Advil, Aleve, and Motrin Potassium-sparing water pills such as Aldactone Probenecid (Benemid, ColBENEMID) The anticancer drug methotrexate Thiazide-type water pills such as Diuril Triamterene (Dyazide)
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