The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
Note: Side effects listed here are for immediate-release indomethacin. Side effects for extended-release capsules might differ.
- Headache (12%)
- Nausea (up to 9%)
- Upset stomach (up to 9%)
- Dizziness (up to 9%)
Less Common Side Effects
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Stomach pain
- Sleepiness
- Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
Indocin serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Stomach bleeding: feeling faint, vomiting blood, bloody or dark stools, severe stomach pain or discomfort
- Heart attack: chest pain or tightness; pain that radiates up to your shoulder, arm, neck, or jaw
- Heart failure: trouble breathing, swelling, fast heartbeat, sudden weight gain
- Stroke: sudden confusion, trouble breathing, weakness on one side of your body or face, slurred speech
- Worsening liver problems or liver failure: swelling of your stomach, yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes, confusion, dark or brown urine
- Serious kidney problems: tiredness, dry and itchy skin, low appetite, urinating less than usual, foamy or bloody urine, muscle cramps
- Allergic reactions: hives, rash, blisters, swelling of the lips or tongue, trouble breathing
- Serious skin reactions: skin reddening, skin peeling, blisters, rash
Source: DailyMed
The following Indocin side effects have also been reported
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
Rare
Abdominal or stomach cramping, burning, or tenderness
back or leg pains
bleeding gums
blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
bloody or black, tarry stools
blue lips and fingernails
blurred vision
breast enlargement and tenderness
burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings
burning upper abdominal or stomach pain
change in consciousness
change in hearing
chest pain, discomfort, or burning
clay colored stools
cloudy or bloody urine
confusion
continuing diarrhea
cough or hoarseness
coughing that sometimes produces a pink frothy sputum
cracks in the skin
dark urine
decreased appetite
decreased vision or any change in vision
difficult or labored breathing
difficulty with swallowing
dilated neck veins
dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up from a lying or sitting position
double vision
extreme fatigue
false sense of well-being
feeling of unreality
feeling of warmth
fever with or without chills
flushed, dry skin
fruit-like breath odor
general body swelling
greatly decreased frequency of urination or amount of urine
headache
heavier menstrual periods
increased hunger
increased sweating
increased thirst
increased urination
irregular breathing
irritation and swelling of the eye
jerky movements of the head, face, mouth, and neck
joint pain
large, flat, blue or purplish patches in the skin
large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or sex organs
loss of appetite
loss of balance control
loss of bladder control
loss of consciousness
loss of hearing
loss of heat from the body
lower back or side pain
mask-like face
mood swings
muscle aches, pains, or weakness
muscle spasm or jerking of all extremities
nervousness
noisy, rattling breathing
nosebleeds
numbness or tingling in the hands, feet, or lips
pain in the ankles or knees
pain or discomfort in the upper stomach or throat
pain with swallowing
painful or difficult urination
painful, red lumps under the skin, mostly on the legs
pale skin
persistent bleeding or oozing from puncture sites, mouth, or nose
personality changes
pinpoint red or purple spots on the skin
pounding in the ears
puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
red skin lesions, often with a purple center
red, irritated eyes
red, swollen skin
redness of the face, neck, arms and occasionally, upper chest
seeing double
seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there
seizures
sense of detachment from self or body
severe constipation
severe mental changes
severe or continuing stomach pain
shuffling walk
skin rash, hives or welts, itching
slow, fast, irregular, pounding, or racing heartbeat or pulse
slowed movements
slurred speech
small red or purple spots on the skin
sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or tongue or inside the mouth
stiffness of the arms and legs
sudden loss of consciousness
swelling of the breasts or breast soreness in both females and males
swelling of the face, fingers, feet, ankles, or lower legs
swollen or painful glands
tightness in the chest
trembling and shaking of the fingers and hands
troubled breathing at rest
troubled breathing with exertion
unexplained weight loss
unpleasant breath odor
unsteadiness or awkwardness
unusual bleeding or bruising
unusual tiredness or weakness
vaginal bleeding
vomiting of blood or material that looks like coffee grounds
weakness in the arms, hands, legs, or feet
yellow eyes or skin
Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur:
Symptoms of overdose
Confusion about identity, place, and time
severe headache
unusual drowsiness, dullness, or feeling of sluggishness
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
More common
Mild headache
Less common
Continuing ringing or buzzing or other unexplained noise in the ears
difficulty having a bowel movement (stool)
discouragement
feeling sad or empty
general feeling of discomfort or illness
hearing loss
irritability
loss of interest or pleasure
sleepiness
trouble with concentrating
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
