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Indomethacin Dosage

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jun 11, 2024.

Applies to the following strengths: 25 mg; 50 mg; 75 mg; 25 mg/5 mL; 1 mg; 20 mg; 40 mg; 100 mg

Usual Adult Dose for Acute Gout

50 mg orally or rectally 3 times a day
Duration of therapy: Until gout attack has resolved

Comments:


Use: For the treatment of acute gouty arthritis.

Usual Adult Dose for Bursitis

Immediate-release capsules and suspension:
75 to 150 mg orally per day in 3 or 4 divided doses

Suppository:
50 mg rectally up to 3 times a day

Extended Release:
75 mg orally once or twice a day

Comments:


Use: For the treatment of acute painful shoulder (e.g. bursitis, tendonitis).

Usual Adult Dose for Tendonitis

Immediate-release capsules and suspension:
75 to 150 mg orally per day in 3 or 4 divided doses

Suppository:
50 mg rectally up to 3 times a day

Extended Release:
75 mg orally once or twice a day

Comments:


Use: For the treatment of acute painful shoulder (e.g. bursitis, tendonitis).

Usual Adult Dose for Pain

20 mg orally 3 times a day or 40 mg orally 2 to 3 times a day

Comment:


Use: For the treatment of mild to moderate acute pain

Usual Adult Dose for Rheumatoid Arthritis

Immediate-release capsules and suspension:


Suppository:

Comment: For patients who have persistent night pain or morning stiffness, a larger portion of the total daily dose (up to 100 mg) orally or rectally at bedtime may be helpful.

Extended-release:
For patients currently receiving immediate-release at 150 mg per day:

Comments:

Use: For the treatment of active stages of moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis, including acute flares of chronic disease.

Usual Adult Dose for Ankylosing Spondylitis

Immediate-release capsules and suspension:


Suppository:

Comment: For patients who have persistent night pain or morning stiffness, a larger portion of the total daily dose (up to 100 mg) orally or rectally at bedtime may be helpful.

Extended-release:
For patients currently receiving immediate-release at 150 mg per day:

Comments:

Use: For the treatment of active stages of moderate to severe ankylosing spondylitis.

Usual Adult Dose for Osteoarthritis

Immediate-release capsules and suspension:


Suppository:

Comment: For patients who have persistent night pain or morning stiffness, a larger portion of the total daily dose (up to 100 mg) orally or rectally at bedtime may be helpful.

Extended-release:
For patients currently receiving immediate-release at 150 mg per day:

Comments:

Use: For the treatment of active stages of moderate to severe osteoarthritis.

Usual Pediatric Dose for Patent Ductus Arteriosus

Dosing depends on age of neonate at time of therapy; A course of therapy is defined as 3 IV doses given at 12 to 24 hour intervals.

Age at first dose: Less than 48 hours:


Age at first dose: 2 to 7 days:

Age at first dose: Over 7 days:

Comments:

Use: For the closure of a hemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus in premature infants weighing between 500 and 1750 g when 48 hours of usual medical management is ineffective; clear-cut clinical evidence of hemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus should be present (e.g., respiratory distress, continuous murmur, hyperactive precordium, cardiomegaly and pulmonary plethora on chest x-ray).

Usual Pediatric Dose for Rheumatoid Arthritis

2 to 14 years:


Comments:

Over 14 years:
Immediate-release capsules and suspension:

Suppository:

Comment:

Extended-release:
For patients currently receiving immediate-release at 150 mg per day:

Comments:

Use: For the treatment of active stages of moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis, including acute flares of chronic disease.

Usual Pediatric Dose for Ankylosing Spondylitis

Over 14 years:
Immediate-release capsules and suspension:


Suppository:

Comment:

Extended-release:
For patients currently receiving immediate-release at 150 mg per day:

Comments:

Use: For the treatment of active stages of moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis.

Usual Pediatric Dose for Osteoarthritis

Over 14 years:
Immediate-release capsules and suspension:


Suppository:

Comment:

Extended-release:
For patients currently receiving immediate-release at 150 mg per day:

Comments:

Use: For the treatment of active stages of moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis.

Usual Pediatric Dose for Bursitis

Over 14 years:
Immediate-release capsules and suspension:
75 to 150 mg orally per day in 3 or 4 divided doses

Suppository:
50 mg rectally up to 3 times a day

Extended Release:
75 mg orally once or twice a day

Comments:


Use: For the treatment of acute painful shoulder (e.g. bursitis, tendonitis).

Usual Pediatric Dose for Tendonitis

Over 14 years:
Immediate-release capsules and suspension:
75 to 150 mg orally per day in 3 or 4 divided doses

Suppository:
50 mg rectally up to 3 times a day

Extended Release:
75 mg orally once or twice a day

Comments:


Use: For the treatment of acute painful shoulder (e.g. bursitis, tendonitis).

Renal Dose Adjustments

Advanced Renal Disease: Not recommended; if treatment is necessary, close monitoring of renal function is advised.

Neonates:

Liver Dose Adjustments


Dose Adjustments

Elderly:


Different dose strengths and formulations of oral indomethacin are not interchangeable; this difference should be taken into consideration when changing strengths or formulations.

Adverse events:

Precautions

US BOXED WARNINGS: RISK OF SERIOUS CARDIOVASCULAR AND GASTROINTESTINAL EVENTS:


CONTRAINDICATIONS:

CONTRAINDICATIONS for IV NEONATAL USE:

Oral and Rectal:
Safety and efficacy have not been established in patients 14 years of age and younger.

Tivorbex (R): Safety and efficacy have not been established in patients 17 years of age and younger.

Consult WARNINGS section for additional precautions.

Dialysis

Data not available

Other Comments

Administration advice:
Take orally with food, milk, or antacid


Neonatal use:
Reconstitution/preparation techniques:

Storage requirements:

General:

Monitoring:

Patient advice:

Frequently asked questions

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.