WHAT IS Indocin cr/Indomethacin CAPSULES?

INDOMETHACIN/Indocin cr is ised for treating moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis. It is used to treat gout or certain types of bursitis and tendonitis. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Indocin/Indocin cr is an NSAID. Exactly how it works is not known. It may block certain substances in the body that are linked to inflammation. NSAIDs treat the symptoms of pain and inflammation. They do not treat the disease that causes those symptoms.

Sustained-release (SR), extended-release (ER, XR, or XL), time-release or timed-release, controlled-release (CR), or continuous-release (CR or Contin) pills are tablets or capsules formulated to dissolve slowly and release a drug over time. The advantages of sustained-release tablets or capsules are that they can often be taken less frequently than instant-release formulations of the same drug, and that they keep steadier levels of the drug in the bloodstream.

WHERE SHOULD I KEEP Indocin cr/Indomethacin?

Store at room temperature, between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C). Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep out of the reach of children and away from pets.

HOW SHOULD I USE Indocin cr/Indomethacin?

Take this medicine by mouth with food and with a full glass of water. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Take your medicine at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed. Long-term, continuous use may increase the risk of heart attack or stroke.

Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed. While this drug may be prescribed for children as young as 15 years for selected conditions, precautions do apply.

Elderly patients over 65 years old may have a stronger reaction and need a smaller dose.

WHAT IF I MISS A DOSE?

If you miss a dose and you are taking it regularly, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

WHAT SHOULD I WATCH FOR WHILE USING Indocin cr/Indomethacin?

Tell your doctor or health care professional if your pain does not get better. Talk to your doctor before taking another medicine for pain. Do not treat yourself.

This medicine does not prevent heart attack or stroke. In fact, this medicine may increase the chance of a heart attack or stroke. The chance may increase with longer use of this medicine and in people who have heart disease. If you take aspirin to prevent heart attack or stroke, talk with your doctor or health care professional.

Do not take medicines such as ibuprofen/Motrin and naproxen/Anaprox with this medicine. Side effects such as stomach upset, nausea, or ulcers may be more likely to occur. Many medicines available without a prescription should not be taken with this medicine.

This medicine can cause ulcers and bleeding in the stomach and intestines at any time during treatment. Do not smoke cigarettes or drink alcohol. These increase irritation to your stomach and can make it more susceptible to damage from this medicine. Ulcers and bleeding can happen without warning symptoms and can cause death.

You may get drowsy or dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how this medicine affects you. Do not stand or sit up quickly, especially if you are an older patient. This reduces the risk of dizzy or fainting spells.

This medicine can cause you to bleed more easily. Try to avoid damage to your teeth and gums when you brush or floss your teeth.

WHAT MAY INTERACT WITH Indocin cr/Indomethacin?

Do not take this medicine with any of the following:

• triamterene
• probenecid/Benemid
• ketorolac/Toradol
• cyclophosphamide/Cytoxan
• methotrexate/Rheumatrex
• pemetrexed
• cidofovir
• diflunisal

This medicine may also interact with the following:

• probenecid/Benemid
• medicines that treat or prevent blood clots like warfarin/Coumadin
• medicines for high blood pressure
• aspirin and aspirin-like medicines
• antacids
• medicines that affect platelets
• steroid medicines like prednisone/Sterapred or cortisone
• NSAIDs, medicines for pain and inflammation, like ibuprofen/Motrin or naproxen/Anaprox
• diuretics
• digoxin/Lanoxin
• cyclosporine/Neoral
• lithium/Lithotabs
• medicines for diabetes
• anticoagulants
• alcohol
• corticosteroids

This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care providers a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.

WHAT SIDE EFFECTS MAY I NOTICE FROM Indocin cr/Indomethacin?

Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:

• unusual weakness or tiredness
• swelling of hands, legs, or feet
• severe or persistent stomach pain or nausea
• nausea or vomiting
• ringing in the ears
• allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue
• chest pain
• fast or irregular heartbeat
• vomit that looks like coffee grounds
• shortness of breath
• blurred vision
• slurred speech or weakness on one side of the body
• unexplained weight gain or swelling
• yellowing of eyes or skin
• black or bloody stools, blood in the urine or vomit
• mental or mood changes
• difficulty breathing or wheezing

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

• stomach upset
• drowsiness
• nausea
• heartburn
• diarrhea
• constipation
• dizziness
• headache

This list may not describe all possible side effects.

WHAT SHOULD I TELL MY HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS BEFORE I TAKE Indocin cr/Indomethacin?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• depression
• Parkinson's disease
• nasal polyps
• liver disease
• mouth inflammation
• an unusual or allergic reaction to indomethacin/Indocin cr , aspirin, other NSAIDs
• kidney disease
• mental or mood problems
• coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery within the past 2 weeks
• asthma, especially aspirin sensitive asthma
• stomach bleeding or ulcers
• drink more than 3 alcohol containing drinks a day
• pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• high blood pressure
• heart disease or circulation problems
• seizures

What is the shelf life of the pills?

• The expiry date is mentioned on each blister. It is different for different batches. The shelf life is 2 years from the date of manufacture and would differ from batch to batch depending on when they were manufactured.