Indocin (Indomethacin) Drug Information: Overdosage and Contraindications

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May 27, 2012

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NSAIDs (Nonsteroidal Antiinflammatory Drugs) »

What are NSAIDs and how do they work?

As the class name suggests, nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) reduce inflammation but are not related to steroids which also reduce inflammation. NSAIDs work by reducing the production of prostaglandins. Prostaglandins are chemicals that promote inflammation, pain, and fever. They also protect the lining of the stomach and intestines from the damaging effects of acid, and promote blood clotting by activating blood platelets. Prostaglandins also affect kidney function.

The enzymes that produce prostaglandins are called cyclooxygenase (COX). There are two types of COX enzymes, COX-1 and COX-2. Both enzymes produce prostaglandins that promote inflammation, pain, and fever; however, only COX-1 produces prostaglandins that activate platelets and protect the stomach and intestinal lining.

NSAIDs block COX enzymes and reduce production of prostaglandins. Therefore, inflammation, pain, and f...

Read the NSAIDs (Nonsteroidal Antiinflammatory Drugs) article »

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Please Note: This Brand Name drug is no longer available in the US.
(Generic versions may still be available.)

OVERDOSE

The following symptoms may be observed following overdosage: nausea, vomiting, intense headache, dizziness, mental confusion, disorientation, or lethargy. There have been reports of paresthesias, numbness, and convulsions.

Treatment is symptomatic and supportive. The stomach should be emptied as quickly as possible if the ingestion is recent. If vomiting has not occurred spontaneously, the patient should be induced to vomit with syrup of ipecac. If the patient is unable to vomit, gastric lavage should be performed. Once the stomach has been emptied, 25 or 50 g of activated charcoal may be given. Depending on the condition of the patient, close medical observation and nursing care may be required. The patient should be followed for several days because gastrointestinal ulceration and hemorrhage have been reported as adverse reactions of indomethacin. Use of antacids may be helpful.

The oral LD₅₀ of indomethacin in mice and rats (based on 14 day mortality response) was 50 and 12 mg/kg, respectively.

CONTRAINDICATIONS

INDOCIN (indomethacin) is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to indomethacin or the excipients (see DESCRIPTION).

INDOCIN (indomethacin) should not be given to patients who have experienced asthma, urticaria, or allergic-type reactions after taking aspirin or other NSAIDs. Severe, rarely fatal, anaphylactic/anaphylactoid reactions to NSAIDs have been reported in such patients (see WARNINGS - Anaphylactic/Anaphylactoid Reactions, and PRECAUTIONS - Preexisting Asthma).

INDOCIN (indomethacin) is contraindicated for the treatment of peri-operative pain in the setting of coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery (see WARNINGS).

Suppositories INDOCIN (indomethacin) are contraindicated in patients with a history of proctitis or recent rectal bleeding.

Last reviewed on RxList: 7/11/2007
This monograph has been modified to include the generic and brand name in many instances.