When to avoid indomethacin
Certain health conditions or other factors could increase some risks with indomethacin oral capsule. Because of this, doctors may not prescribe indomethacin in these cases. These health conditions or other factors are called contraindications.
Here’s a list of contraindications for indomethacin oral capsule:
- Recent heart bypass surgery. If you’ve recently had heart bypass surgery, you may have a higher risk of heart and blood vessel problems* from taking indomethacin.
- Past asthma, hives, or other allergic reaction to another nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). If you’ve had asthma symptoms, hives, or an allergic reaction to another NSAID, taking indomethacin oral capsule may cause the same reaction. Indomethacin is an NSAID.
- Past allergic reaction to indomethacin. If you’ve ever had an allergic reaction to indomethacin oral capsule, taking it again may cause another allergic reaction.
Before you start taking indomethacin, tell your doctor if anything listed above relates to you. They can recommend whether you should take indomethacin.
* Indomethacin has a boxed warning for the risk of serious heart and blood vessel problems. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). For more details, see the “Boxed warnings for indomethacin” section below.
Questions about indomethacin and interactions
Here you’ll find answers to some common questions about indomethacin and possible interactions.
What pain reliever can I take with indomethacin?
Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is safe to take with indomethacin, if your doctor recommends it’s safe for you to take. Acetaminophen and indomethacin aren’t known to interact with one another.
But acetaminophen does have other interactions. For example, it may not be safe to take if you have severe liver disease. So it’s still important to check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking it. They can review your health history and other medications you take to check for other interactions with acetaminophen.
Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you have questions about taking pain releivers with indomethacin.
If indomethacin interacts with my blood pressure medication, what are my options?
It depends. Indomethacin interacts with some blood pressure medications.* But this doesn’t mean this combination is never safe to use.
Indomethacin can make certain blood pressure medications less effective. If your doctor prescribes indomethacin and there’s an interaction with your blood pressure medication, your doctor may monitor your blood pressure during treatment. They may increase the dosage of your blood pressure medication if your blood pressure increases after you start taking indomethacin.
If you have high blood pressure, be sure to tell your doctor about any blood pressure medications you take before you start indomethacin treatment. Your doctor can help determine the best treatment plan for you.
* For details about indomethacin and interactions with certain blood pressure medications, see the “Other drugs and indomethacin” section above.
Alcohol and indomethacin
Indomethacin oral capsule is known to interact with alcohol.
Taking indomethacin oral capsule and drinking alcohol further raises your risk of:
If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor about whether it’s safe to consume it while taking indomethacin oral capsule.
* Indomethacin has a boxed warning for risks of serious heart and blood vessel problems and serious digestive problems. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). For more details, see the “Boxed warnings for Indomethacin” section below.
Other interactions and indomethacin
Interactions can occur with supplements, foods, vaccines, and some lab tests. Below you can learn whether indomethacin oral capsule has these interactions.
The information below doesn’t include all other possible interactions with indomethacin.
Indomethacin and supplements
Before taking indomethacin oral capsule, tell your doctor and pharmacist about any herbs you take, as well as vitamins and supplements. Doing so may help you avoid interactions.
If you have questions about interactions that may affect you, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Indomethacin interactions with herbs
Indomethacin oral capsule may interact with ginkgo biloba. This herb is often used for lowering inflammation (swelling).
Taking indomethacin and ginkgo biloba may lead to an increased risk of bleeding.
Because of this, ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any of these products while taking indomethacin oral capsule.
Indomethacin interactions with vitamins or minerals
Indomethacin oral capsule may interact with potassium supplements. This mineral is often used for increasing your blood potassium level. Potassium may also be found in some multivitamin supplements.
Taking indomethacin and a supplement that contains potassium may lead to a high blood potassium level.
Because of this, ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any of these products while taking indomethacin oral capsule.
Indomethacin and food
Indomethacin oral capsule isn’t known to interact with foods. But this doesn’t mean interactions with foods can’t happen or won’t be identified later.
Because of this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist about what foods you should avoid while taking indomethacin oral capsule.
Indomethacin and vaccines
Indomethacin oral capsule isn’t known to interact with any vaccines. But this doesn’t mean interactions with vaccines can’t happen or won’t be identified later.
Because of this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist before receiving any vaccines while taking indomethacin oral capsule.
Indomethacin and lab tests
Indomethacin oral capsule isn’t known to interact with lab tests. But this doesn’t mean interactions with lab tests can’t happen or won’t be identified later.
Because of this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist before having any tests while taking indomethacin oral capsule.
Indomethacin and cannabis or CBD
Indomethacin oral capsule isn’t known to interact with cannabis (commonly called marijuana) or cannabis products such as cannabidiol (CBD). But this doesn’t mean interactions can’t happen or won’t be identified later.
As with any drug or supplement, tell your doctor before taking cannabis with indomethacin.
Note: Cannabis is illegal at a federal level but is legal in many states to varying degrees.
Health factors and indomethacin
Certain medical conditions or other health factors may increase the risk of interactions with indomethacin oral capsule. Before taking indomethacin, tell your doctor about your health history. They’ll determine whether indomethacin is right for you.
These health conditions or other factors might interact with indomethacin oral capsule:
Preventing indomethacin interactions
You may be able to help avoid certain interactions with indomethacin oral capsule. Before taking this drug, you may want to discuss possible interactions with your doctor and pharmacist.
Things to consider include:
- Whether you drink alcohol or use cannabis.
- Other medications and herbs you take, as well as vitamins and supplements. Your doctor or pharmacist can help you fill out a medication list.
- What to do if you’re prescribed a new drug while taking indomethacin oral capsule.
Taking indomethacin exactly as prescribed can also help prevent interactions.
What to ask your doctor
If you have questions about indomethacin and possible interactions, talk with your doctor.
Questions you may want to ask your doctor include:
- Are interactions with indomethacin similar to interactions with other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)?
- Are there non-NSAID medications that could treat my condition? Do they have similar interactions as indomethacin?
- Should I let you know if I make lifestyle changes, such as to my diet or exercise routine?
- Could I still take indomethacin even if it interacts with a health condition I have?
Boxed warnings for indomethacin
This drug has boxed warnings about the risks of serious heart and blood vessel problems and serious digestive problems. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Serious heart and blood vessel problems. Like other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), indomethacin treatment has a risk of serious heart and blood vessel problems. These side effects were rare in studies of indomethacin. Examples include heart attack and stroke.
Due to this risk, doctors won’t prescribe indomethacin if you’ve recently had a heart attack or had heart bypass surgery.
Immediately call 911 (or a local emergency number) or go to the closest emergency room if you have symptoms of a heart attack or stroke.
Serious digestive problems. Similar to other NSAIDs, indomethacin treatment has a risk of serious digestive problems. These side effects were rare in studies of indomethacin. Examples include bleeding or holes in your intestines or stomach.
Your risk of these side effects increases the longer you take indomethacin, and if you take a higher dosage.
Immediately stop taking indomethacin and call your doctor if you have symptoms of serious digestive problems.
To learn more, including symptoms to watch for, talk with your doctor.
Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.
