Indometacin and the benefits of having your medication home delivered

Indometacin is used in the treatment of various conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis, to reduce inflammation, pain, and fever.

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The benefits of having medication delivered

Non-adherence to medication is a major reason why treatments shown to be effective in trials are often less effective in clinical practice.

Medicine home delivery helps improve care by ensuring patients have their Indometacin when they need it, which increases treatment adherence and saves unnecessary trips to traditional pharmacies like Chemist Warehouse, or Priceline.

That’s why 92% of users of the Chemist2U app report that the app is a helpful tool to maintain their healthcare.

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Medically reviewed by Dr Matt Cullen
Last updated 10 July 2024

Know More About Indometacin From Chemist2U

When your doctor prescribes indometacin to reduce swelling, pain, and fever, it’s natural to want to know more about it. You might even wonder if it works better than other anti-inflammatory medications, such as sulfasalazine and salazopyrin. Chemist2U offers you medication-related information to help you make an informed decision regarding your indometacin prescription.

In this article

How does indometacin work?

Indometacin is a medicine known as an NSAID, which stands for non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug. Some of the common brand names it is sold under are Arthrexin (indometacin) and Indocid (indometacin). It is generally prescribed by doctors to help reduce swelling, pain, and fever.

The way indometacin works is by stopping the body from making certain chemicals that cause these symptoms. These chemicals are called prostaglandins, and they play a big role in inflammation and pain. By blocking the enzymes that make prostaglandins, indometacin can help make you feel better.[1]

How do you take indometacin?

If you’ve been prescribed indometacin by your doctor, it’s important to follow the instructions provided by your doctor instead of relying on searches of ‘indometacin uses’ or ‘where to buy indometacin’.

For those prescribed the extended-release capsules, your doctor may advise you to swallow them whole without crushing, chewing, breaking, or opening them. The purpose of this is usually to maintain the medication’s integrity and ensure that it is released into your body gradually. If you’re taking the oral suspension or liquid form, you may have to shake it well before measuring out your indometacin dosage.[2]

Who can take indometacin?

Indometacin is a medication recognised by the FDA for its role in managing a variety of conditions that can cause discomfort and pain in individuals. It may be helpful for those experiencing acute pain as well as people living with chronic conditions like joint pain, rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and osteoarthritis.[3]

Additionally, indometacin may be prescribed by doctors for managing arthritis and sports-related injuries. Another important use of this medication is to address patent ductus arteriosus, a heart condition that affects some newborns.[4] This wide range of applications makes indometacin a common choice for doctors in chronic pain management.

Side effects of indometacin

Like many other types of medication, it’s important to be aware that taking indometacin may come with potential side effects.

For instance, if someone has had a heart attack recently, it’s crucial to watch for signs that their heart might be under stress, such as increased heart rate, difficulty breathing, sweating, feeling very tired, or experiencing pain in the neck, jaw, arm, or shoulder.[5]

Liver health is another area to keep an eye on, as indometacin can affect liver function. Symptoms like nausea, feeling unusually tired, diarrhea, itching, yellowing of the skin or eyes, pain in the upper right part of the stomach, flu-like symptoms, an unusual rash, or an increase in certain blood cells could be signs of liver issues. If any of these symptoms occur, tests to check liver function may be necessary.[6]

Additionally, for those with asthma or allergies to aspirin, monitoring for any changes in asthma symptoms is commonly advised by doctors when taking indometacin. It’s also important to be alert for signs of gastrointestinal issues, such as bleeding or the development of ulcers, and signs of anaemia, which can include feeling more tired than usual or looking pale.[7]

If you’re using indometacin, staying in touch with your doctor for personalised advice and monitoring is a good approach.

Indometacin and other medications

In one study, indometacin was compared with ibuprofen, another common pain reliever. Both medications were found to be similarly effective in the short-term treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.[8]

In another study, the safety and effectiveness of indometacin were compared to IV paracetamol and ibuprofen in helping premature infants with a specific heart issue. The study found that IV paracetamol is just as effective as indometacin and ibuprofen but comes with a better safety profile.[9]

Medicines you should not use with indometacin

If your doctor prescribes indometacin to you, you may have to let them know if you’re currently taking antidepressants. The reason behind this is that mixing certain antidepressants with NSAIDs like indometacin may make you more prone to bruising or bleeding easily.[10]

In addition to antidepressants, there are several other medications to discuss with your doctor or pharmacist before using indometacin. These include cyclosporine, lithium, methotrexate, probenecid, various heart or blood pressure medications, including diuretics, and blood thinners.[11]

You may also have to be cautious about other NSAIDs such as aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), celecoxib, diclofenac, and meloxicam. Other prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products may also interact with indometacin.[12]

Keeping your doctor informed about all the medications you’re taking can help them ensure your treatment is as safe and effective as possible.

How to order home delivery of indometacin with Chemist2U

At Chemist2U, we’re all about making your life easier, especially when it comes to managing your health. We know that dealing with chronic conditions can be tough, and our goal is to take one worry off your plate – managing your medications.

With our convenient online pharmacy delivery service, ordering your prescription medications becomes straightforward and hassle-free. All you need to do is visit our website or use our mobile app. It’s designed to be user-friendly, so you can quickly upload your eScript. This means your prescription details are sent directly to a local pharmacist, who will carefully prepare your order.

But it doesn’t stop at prescription medications. If you find yourself in need of over-the-counter products, you can easily add them to your order. And if you have any questions, our ‘Ask a Pharmacist’ feature is just a tap away. This chat function allows you to get professional advice without leaving your home. What’s more, we offer reminders to reorder, and you can seek a new script.

Get home delivery for your prescriptions with Chemist2U today!

References

[1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK555936/#:~:text=indometacin%20functions%20like%20most%20other,inflammation%2C%20fever%2C%20and%20pain.

[2] https://www.drugs.com/mtm/indometacin.html

[3] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK555936/#:~:text=indometacin%20functions%20like%20most%20other,inflammation%2C%20fever%2C%20and%20pain.

[4] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK555936/#:~:text=indometacin%20functions%20like%20most%20other,inflammation%2C%20fever%2C%20and%20pain.

[5] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK555936/#:~:text=indometacin%20functions%20like%20most%20other,inflammation%2C%20fever%2C%20and%20pain.

[6] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK555936/#:~:text=indometacin%20functions%20like%20most%20other,inflammation%2C%20fever%2C%20and%20pain.

[7] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK555936/#:~:text=indometacin%20functions%20like%20most%20other,inflammation%2C%20fever%2C%20and%20pain.

[8] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7331836/

[9] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/368535/

[10] https://www.drugs.com/mtm/indomethacin.html#interactions

[11] https://www.drugs.com/mtm/indomethacin.html#interactions

[12] https://www.drugs.com/mtm/indomethacin.html#interactions

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