Indomethacin is a prescription medication used to treat arthritis.

It is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug - also known as an NSAID - that is used to relieve the pain, tenderness, swelling, and stiffness caused by multiple forms of arthritis. It is also used to treat similar symptoms caused by gout - a specific type of arthritis that causes joint pain and inflammation.

Indomethacin is used to treat the symptoms of various forms of arthritis. This includes osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis. Indomethacin is also prescribed to treat pain and inflammation symptoms caused by bursitis and tendonitis. It may also be prescribed as a treatment for similar symptoms caused by gout.

Arthritis is a common condition caused by inflammation and swelling in your joints. More prevalent in older individuals, arthritis affects more than 54 million Americans.

The two most common types of arthritis are:

• Osteoarthritis: Normal wear and tear on a joint’s cartilage can cause osteoarthritis. Cartilage cushions the ends of bones in a joint, allowing for frictionless movement and shock absorption. After years of use and damage, this cartilage breaks down, and the bones in a joint grind directly on one another. This can limit mobility and cause significant pain.
  

• Rheumatoid arthritis (RA): Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder in which the body’s immune system attacks the soft tissue in the joints. As this tissue is destroyed, the joints become damaged. In addition to joint pain, rheumatoid arthritis may also cause fatigue, fever, and a loss of appetite.
  

Gout is a type of arthritis caused by uric acid crystals building up in the joints. Gout attacks can be extremely painful and often come on without warning. Like other forms of arthritis, gout can affect nearly any joint in the body but is most commonly felt in the big toe before the condition spreads to other areas.

Indomethacin has been shown to cause some side effects. If these reactions do not go away within a few days or become severe, talk to your health care provider.

Common side effects reported from taking indomethacin include:

• Headache
  
• Dizziness
  
• Vomiting
  
• Diarrhea
  
• Constipation
  
• Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
  

If these adverse reactions do not go away within a few days, talk to your health care provider. If you experience difficulty breathing, hives, skin rash, change in skin color, flu-like symptoms, nausea, discolored or bloody urine, or unusual bleeding/ bruising while taking indomethacin, seek medical attention immediately.

As with all prescription medication, be sure to inform the prescribing doctor about any medical conditions you have been previously diagnosed with, as well as any medication/ supplements you are currently taking before starting treatment with indomethacin. Indomethacin can interact with other forms of medication and substances, causing potentially serious side effects. In addition, let your doctor know if you are pregnant or plan on becoming pregnant before starting treatment with this medication.

The typical starting dose of indomethacin will vary depending on the needs of the patient. Indomethacin is commonly prescribed as an oral tablet. The starting dosage of this medication is usually between 25-50 mg per day, to be divided into 2 or 3 doses. For acute bursitis or tendonitis, this preliminary dose starts around 75-150 mg per day, to be divided into 3 or 4 doses.

Throughout the first few weeks of treatment, your doctor will monitor your progress and track how you respond to the medication. In some instances, this starting dose may be reduced. In others, your doctor may choose to increase your daily dosage. If you experience any side effects or adverse reactions, report them as soon as possible. Your doctor may change your dosage depending on how you react to the medication.

Do not discontinue or increase your dosage of indomethacin without consulting your doctor first. Take the medication exactly as prescribed, and inform your doctor if you begin to experience any side effects while taking the medication.

Indomethacin is currently only available via prescription. This means the use of this drug must be authorized by a licensed health care provider.

Providers on Sesame can write a prescription – or refill an existing one – during a virtual or in-person visit. Depending on the medication, you can arrange for same-day pickup at a pharmacy near you. Book an online consultation with a real, licensed provider on Sesame today to determine whether or not indomethacin is right for you.

Note that all prescriptions are at the discretion of your health care provider. Providers on Sesame cannot prescribe controlled substances.

Good news! If deemed clinically appropriate, providers on Sesame can write a prescription for indomethacin to be picked up near you – often within the same day! Simply talk to a clinician and get your online doctor prescription or refill ordered right away for fast and convenient pickup from a pharmacy of your choice.

Note that all prescriptions are at the discretion of your healthcare provider.