Indometacin : Therapeutic uses, Dosage & Side Effects
Indometacin (Indomethacin) is a Indole derivative & non-selective COX inhibitor (traditional NSAID), used for treating patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) in certain premature infants.
Dose : 20-75 mg
Route : Oral, IV, Rectal, Topical
Plasma Half-life : 2-5 hours
Duration of action : ?
Bioavailability : ~100% (oral), 80–90% (rectal)
Chemical formula : C19H16ClNO4
IUPAC name : 2-{1-[(4-Chlorophenyl)carbonyl]-5-methoxy-2-methyl-1H-indol-3-yl}acetic acid
Trade name : Indocin, Indocid, Idicin, Indocap, Articid, Indoflam, Recticin
Therapeutic uses : Indomethacin has following usage :
- Used as potent Anti-inflammatory & prompt Antipyretic agent.
- Because of prominent ad verse effects, it is used as a reserve drug in conditions requiring potent antiinflammatory action like ankylosing spondylitis, acute exacerbations of destructive arthropathies, psoriatic arthritis and acute gout that are not responding to better tolerated NSAIDs.
- Malignancy associated fever refractory to other antipyretics may respond to indomethacin.
- It has been the most common drug used for medical closure of patent ductus arteriosus.
- Bartter’s syndrome responds dramatically, as it does to other PG synthesis inhibitors.
Side effects : A high incidence (up to 50%) gastrointestinal and CNS side effects is produced. Indomethacin may cause following Side effects :
- Gastric irritation,
- Nausea,
- Anorexia,
- Gastric bleeding,
- Diarrhoea,
- Frontal headache (very common),
- Dizziness,
- Ataxia,
- Mental confusion,
- Hallucination,
- Depression,
- Psychosis,
- Leucopenia, rashes and other hypersensitivity reactions,
- Increased risk of bleeding.
Contraindications :
- It is contraindicated in machinery operators, drivers, psychiatric patients, epileptics, kidney disease, pregnant women and in children.
- INDOCIN I.V. is contraindicated in: neonates with proven or suspected infection that is untreated; neonates who are bleeding, especially those with active intracranial hemorrhage or gastrointestinal bleeding; neonates with thrombocytopenia; neonates with coagulation defects; neonates with or who are suspected of having necrotizing enterocolitis; neonates with significant impairment of renal function; neonates with congenital heart disease in whom patency of the ductus arteriosus is necessary for satisfactory pulmonary or systemic blood flow (e.g., pulmonary atresia, severe tetralogy of Fallot, severe coarctation of the aorta).
For detailed query or in case of uncertainty, Always consult your doctor or pharmacist.
