What helps indomethacin - instructions for use

Indomethacin indicates that it is one of the most active and sought-after preparations from the group of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs( NSAIDs) that stop the production of active mediatorspain and inflammation. The medication is widely used in various fields of medicine - general therapy, gynecology, rheumatology, traumatology, and is also used as part of a comprehensive treatment of infectious and inflammatory processes and ENT diseases.

Description of the preparation

The main active ingredient of the drug is indomethacin( an indoleacetic acid derivative), the percentage of which depends on the dosage form of the drug. Indomethacin has a fairly wide range of therapeutic effects and provides the following effect:

• antiaggregative;
• is an analgesic;
• is an anti-inflammatory;
• is an antipyretic.

Auxiliary ingredients that form part of a particular form of medication may differ( depending on the manufacturer).This point the doctor must take into account when prescribing the drug.

Principle of action

The drug refers to the medicines of the NSAID group, that is, the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents, respectively, has the properties of inhibiting the enzyme cyclooxygenase( COX) in the body. The drug has an effect by inhibiting the production of prostaglandins( mediators of inflammation) from arachidonic acid and inhibits the aggregation of platelets in the blood. As a result of taking the medication, the intensity of the inflammatory process decreases, the manifestations of pain and heat stop.

The use of indomethacin in inflammatory degenerative lesions of the musculoskeletal system increases the mobility of joints, reduces puffiness and morning stiffness, helps to eliminate pain syndrome. The drug is intended for systemic and external use, a pronounced anti-inflammatory effect is noted after a week of treatment.

After ingestion, the active substance is rapidly absorbed from the digestive tract, metabolized in the liver, excreted from the body with urine and feces.

Forms and composition of the preparation

Indomethacin is available in the following forms:

• tablets in the enteric coating( 25 mg);
• Indomethacin rectal suppositories( 50 and 100 mg);
• capsules Indomethacin( 25 and 50 mg);
• ointment( 10%) and gel( 5% and 10%) for external use.

What helps indomethacin?

The scope of the anti-inflammatory agent is quite extensive, which is facilitated by various forms of release.

External forms of the drug( gel and ointment) are prescribed for the treatment of the following conditions:

• articular syndrome on the background of inflammation of the joint tissue;
• exacerbation of gout and rheumatism;
• rheumatoid arthritis;
• ankylosing spondylitis;
• for psoriatic arthritis;
• pain in the spine;
• osteoarthritis;
• osteochondrosis with pronounced radicular syndrome;
• radiculate;
• neuralgia and myalgia;
• is an inflammatory lesion of the tissues of the tendons or ligaments.

External forms Indomethacin is widely used for the symptoms of sciatica, bursitis and lumbago, used in the treatment of posttraumatic inflammation in soft tissues and joints, as well as pain syndrome in muscles of rheumatic and non-rheumatic nature.

Tablets formulations are recommended for treatment:

• inflammatory processes in the joints;
• arthritis, rheumatism and gout;
• pain in the spine of unknown origin;
• inflammatory processes that develop as a result of trauma or surgical intervention;
• diffuse connective tissue diseases;
• dysmenorrhea( painful menstruation).

Tablets and capsules of indomethacin are included in the complex therapy of prostatitis, adnexitis, cystitis, infectious and inflammatory diseases in otorhinolaryngology, urology and gynecology. Indomethacin supplements are very actively used in gynecology, as they completely relieve spasms, pain and cure inflammatory processes, facilitating the condition after the first application.

In addition, the anti-inflammatory agent is used at the discretion of the treating physician in ophthalmology, as a prophylaxis of inflammatory processes after surgical manipulations on the anterior segment of the eye and operations on the lens in cataract.

This drug, although it is one of the safest among all nonsteroidal drugs, but is quite capable of causing allergic reactions and other side effects, characteristic for drugs from the NSAID group. Therefore, before prescribing the medicine, the doctor must take into account the concomitant diseases and possible contraindications to the use.

How to use

Tablets form Indomethacin is taken with food or immediately after a meal, with milk. The doctor selects the necessary dose and duration of treatment individually, taking into account the severity of the disease and possible contraindications. Usually adults are advised to take up to 3 tablets( 75 mg) per day, dividing them into three divided doses. This is the initial dose, in the future, if the therapeutic effect is insufficient, the doctor can double the dosage of the drug.

Even after achieving the necessary therapeutic effect, Indomethacin treatment continues on average for a month, adhering to a prescribed or reduced dose. Capsules of prolonged action can be taken 1-2 times a day. If the anti-inflammatory agent needs to be taken for a long time, the dosage of the drug should not exceed 75 mg( 3 tablets) per day.

Candles Indomethacin is recommended to enter into the rectum at bedtime, after a preliminary cleansing of the intestine. Suppositories containing 100 mg of active substance are administered once a day, the drug in a lower dosage( 50 mg) is 1 to 3 times a day. Children over 14 years of age are prescribed a single administration of a rectal suppository containing 50 mg of indomethacin.

External forms of the preparation( ointment, gel) are applied to the affected area with a thin layer from 2 to 4 times a day. The daily dose for adults - no more than 15 cm of ointment or gel, squeezed out of tuba, for adolescents over 14 years - this dose is reduced by half( not more than 7.5 cm).

Intramuscular injections of a solution of Indomethacin are used for the relief of acute conditions. Enter 60 mg of the drug twice a day for 7 to 14 days. After improving the condition, they switch to taking tablet forms of the drug.

Contraindications

As with most medicines, indomethacin in pregnancy and lactation is prohibited for use, regardless of the form of release. Use of external means containing indomethacin also does not follow, although if necessary and under the supervision of a doctor, ointment or gel can be used in the 1st and 2nd trimester of pregnancy. When breastfeeding the active substance of the drug is able to penetrate into the mother's milk, which can negatively affect the baby's condition.

Other contraindications to the use of indomethacin in all its forms include:

• periods of exacerbations of erosive and ulcerative abnormalities of the stomach and intestines;
• pathology of the hematopoiesis system;
• age is less than 14 years;
• hypersensitivity to the composition of the drug;
• liver and kidney disease;
• chronic heart failure;
• arterial hypertension( high blood pressure);
• severe forms of pancreatitis.

Rectal suppositories are inadmissible in the treatment of patients with pathologies such as:

• proctitis;
• bleeding from the rectum;
• tumor processes in the rectum.

Ointments and gels can not be used on areas with broken integrity of the skin, that is, it can not be applied to scratches, cracks, cuts, pimples and other injuries.

Ointment with an active substance concentration of 10% in otorhinolaryngology is not recommended for such ailments as:

• bronchial asthma;
• allergic and catarrhal rhinitis;
• polyps on the mucous tissue in the nose or throat.

In addition to the contraindications for indomethacin, as with any other medication, there are a number of side effects that can become a serious problem for a sick person.

Side effects of

Photo: abdominal pain

In addition to the instructions for the drug, it is important to read the reviews of patients who have already used the medication, this will help to make the most complete picture of possible side effects from the use of indomethacin.

On the part of the digestive system the following reactions are possible:

• abdominal pain and lower back;
• nausea, resulting in vomiting;
• Stool disorders( constipation or diarrhea);
• development of anorexia;
• intestinal bleeding;
• exacerbation of erosion and ulcerative processes in the stomach;
• exacerbation of gastritis, intestinal stricture;
• jaundice of the skin.

On the side of the heart and blood vessels, pressure jumps, swelling, heart rhythm disturbances( tachycardia and arrhythmia), chest pains of a spasmodic nature, development of symptoms of congestive heart failure.

On the part of the hematopoiesis system, thrombocytopenia, leukopenia, hemolytic and aplastic anemia are observed.

Particularly marked adverse reactions from the nervous system. Among them:

• dizziness;
• sensation of severe fatigue, drowsiness, lethargy;
• persistent headaches;
• feeling of anxiety, depressive states;
• involuntary movements or muscle twitching;
• sleep disorders.

Among the side effects that are observed in rare cases, you can note the manifestations of peripheral neuropathy, muscle weakness, convulsions, panic attacks, symptoms of parkinsonism( especially in the elderly), paresthesia, fainting.

Sensory organs can cause pain in the orbital and periorbital area, hearing and visual impairment. The urinary system can respond to taking the drug by malfunctioning the kidneys and the nephrotic syndrome.

Rare cases include metabolic disorders, gynecomastia( stress and enlargement of the mammary glands), nosebleeds, hyperhidrosis( increased sweating).

In addition, allergic reactions of any type can occur, ranging from skin manifestations( rash, itching, dermatitis or erythema manifestations), ending with acute anaphylactic complications. In exceptional cases, angioedema may develop, requiring urgent medical attention.

If you have any anxiety symptoms, stop taking the medication immediately and contact a doctor who will change the treatment plan or pick up a similar medication with another compound.

Price and analogues

Among the most famous analogs of this drug can be named the following agents with anti-inflammatory, antipyretic and analgesic effect:

• Ibuprofen;
• Nyz;
• Metindole Retard;
• Adolor;
• Diclofenac;
• Diclorean;
• Voltaren;
• Bioran;
• Diklak;
• Ketalgin;
• Orthophene;
• Ketorol;
• Rapten;
• Naklofen;
• Ketanov;
• Piroxicam.

However, the above mentioned funds are difficult to compete with Indomethacin in the price category, because this is one of the most inexpensive drugs from the NSAID group. The price of indomethacin in tablets varies from 30 to 65 rubles per package, for gel and ointment - from 40 to 60 rubles, for rectal suppositories - from 45 to 75 rubles.

Indomethacin is a fairly serious medicine, therefore, despite its financial availability, the drug should be used only as directed by the doctor. Gel and ointment can be purchased without the doctor's instructions, but this does not mean that they can be used for a long time and haphazardly. To apply funds having such an extensive list of side effects and contraindications is necessary in strict accordance with the instructions, not exceeding the indicated dosages. This will help to avoid unwanted complications.

Reviews

Reviews on the use of external forms of indomethacin are mostly positive. Patients say that these funds allow in a short time to get rid of puffiness, pain syndrome, morning stiffness of the joints. Opinions about the use of tablets and rectal suppositories are not so rosy, as quite often patients experience side effects that cause a correction of the treatment regimen and replace inexpensive indomethacin with other drugs.

Review # 1

Cheap indomethacin ointment is good for me for joint pain. Particularly concerned about joints in cold and rainy weather, it happens that even from bed to get up difficult. In this case, I apply ointment and soon mobility returns, pain and discomfort recede, and during the day I can safely attend to the usual household chores. Constantly ointment I do not use, as in the annotation to the preparation it is painfully much indicated side effects, but so far, none of them have not felt on myself.

Alevtina, Saratov

Review No.2

The doctor prescribed Indomethacin tablets at the next exacerbation of osteochondrosis. So, after the second dose of the medication, severe headaches and dizziness began, irregularities with a heart rhythm, I began to suffocate, there was a strong fear of death, and then the pressure dropped sharply, so I had to call an ambulance. Until now, in shock, and after reading a long list of contraindications and side effects in general is outraged by the appointment of a doctor. Why write such a dangerous drug, especially since I had contraindications to it. Because now there are many modern, safer drugs. This says only one thing - about the low qualification of a doctor, I will never go to see him again.

Svetlana, Orel

Review No.3

I had a spinal injury in my youth. For many years she did not remind herself of anything, but lately there are pains from time to time. Passed inspection, nothing terrible doctors did not find, advised to smear a sore spot with ointments with anti-inflammatory effect. In a pharmacy, these drugs are expensive, but the pharmacist advised the gel with indomethacin. It is inexpensive and really helps, now I use it periodically to cope with pain and inflammation.

Alexander, Kaluga

Review No. 4

With inflammation of the sciatic nerve, Indomethacin supplements were prescribed. But they did not fit me, just a few minutes after the introduction, there was a headache, a heartbeat, a strong weakness, and then I began to lose consciousness. It's good that my husband was at home and immediately called "ambulance".So be careful with this drug, it does not fit all.

Inna, Penza