Indomethacin ointment is an external agent. It is used to eliminate soreness, inflammation and swelling. The drug is prescribed for the treatment of such pathological conditions that require pain relief, fever relief and elimination of inflammation. The ointment is contraindicated to apply to damaged areas of the skin, as well as peptic ulcer of the gastrointestinal tract, children under 14 years of age, women during pregnancy and lactation. Before using the ointment, you should read the instructions, as the drug has a number of restrictions for use.
Description and composition of the medication
The drug is produced in the form of an ointment containing 10% indomethacin. The substance turns out to be homogeneous, yellow in color, the shade of which ranges from light to dark. Indomethacin ointment has a specific smell reminiscent of menthol.
The drug is packaged in aluminum packages. The package comes with instructions for use. As mentioned above, inthe composition of the drug includes one active ingredient - indomethacin. Its dosage is 100 mg per gram of ointment.
According to the instructions for indomethacin ointment, the drug contains additional ingredients such as:
- Cholesterol.
- Dimexide.
- Stearyl alcohol.
- White wax.
- Vaseline.
- Anhydrous lanolin.
Indications for the use of medication
Indomethacin ointment is used to treat disorders that require local anesthesia, inflammation or swelling. The drug will have the desired effect if the violations are amenable to the effects of drugs for external use.
Indications for the use of the drug for adult patients are:
- Inflammatory process in the joints, tendons, muscles or ligaments, which is caused by injury.
- Tendovaginitis.
- Bursitis, which is an inflammatory process in the joint bag.
- Algodystrophic hand syndrome.
- Sciatica.
- Tendinosis.
- Myalgia.
- Rheumatic type arthritis.
- Psoriatic arthritis.
- Shoulohumeral periarthritis.
- Osteoarthritis of a deforming nature.
- Rheumatoid arthritis.
- Ankylosing spondylitis.
In childhood, indomethacin ointment is allowed to be used only after reaching the age of 14. Indications for the use of the drug inchildren are also injuries that require effective local anesthesia.
The ointment is prohibited for use during pregnancy. This is especially true of the final, third trimester. When breastfeeding, the drug is also not prescribed. If it is impossible to avoid such an appointment, lactation should be stopped for the period of application of indomethacin ointment.
Contraindications to prescribing the drug
There are a number of conditions and pathologies when it is forbidden to use the medication. These include:
- Hypersensitivity to drug components.
- Children under 14.
- Peptic ulcer of the duodenum and stomach.
- The period of pregnancy and breastfeeding.
- The presence of a violation of the integrity of the skin at the site of application of the ointment.
In addition, there are a number of conditions when the drug should be used with caution:
- Asthma.
- Combination with other NSAIDs.
- Old age.
- Rhinitis that accompanies an allergic reaction.
- Polyps in the nasal mucosa.
Instructions for the use of indomethacin ointment
To achieve the maximum effect of the therapy, you must follow the instructions for use. It is not recommended to use occlusive dressings with the ointment.
The drug is applied in a thin layer to the affected area of the skin and rubbed untilcomplete absorption. You can apply the ointment up to three times a day. The dosage for one application in an adult is approximately 4-5 cm ointment. It is not recommended to use more than 15 cm of the drug in one day.
In adolescence, upon reaching the age of 14, the drug is recommended to be applied to the area of the skin requiring anesthesia, 2-2.5 cm of ointment. You need to rub the drug with light massage movements. The maximum daily dosage should not exceed 7.5 cm for children.
Since indomethacin may be excreted in breast milk, the ointment should not be used during lactation.
During treatment with indomethacin ointment, the following adverse reactions may occur:
- Burning.
- Itching.
- Rash.
- Redness.
In some cases, exacerbation of psoriasis is possible against the background of the use of indomethacin ointment and analogues.
Combination with other medications
The drug interacts with some medications, which should be considered when using it. When used simultaneously with antihypertensive drugs, as well as with diuretics and uricosuric drugs, the effectiveness of the latter decreases.
Indomethacin ointment may increase the effect of anticoagulant drugs, fibrinolytics, and agents that have a depressing effect on platelet production. In addition, while taking mineralocorticoids and NSAIDs, the risk of developing adverse reactions increases. ATin combination with sulfonylurea, there is an increase in hypoglycemic action.
In combination with indomethacin ointment "Paracetamol" increases the likelihood of developing nephrotoxic syndrome.
The risk of gastrointestinal syndrome increases when combined with colchicine, ethyl alcohol and glucocorticoids.
Toxic effects on the kidneys are increased by the combination of an ointment with medicines containing gold and cyclosporine. In addition, indomethacin increases the plasma concentration of digoxin, lithium and methotrexate.
The likelihood of developing a lack of prothrombin in the blood and bleeding increases against the background of the simultaneous use of an ointment with cefamandol, valproic acid and cefoperazone. The intensity of elimination of antibacterial drugs from the penicillin group decreases with the use of indomethacin. The toxic properties of zidovudine are also increased.
Special recommendations for the use of the medicinal product
Under strict prohibition is the use of indomethacin ointment on areas of skin that are damaged. The drug should not get on the mucous membranes of the mouth, nose and eyes. It is not recommended to apply the ointment to he althy skin.
If it is impossible to avoid the use of the ointment during lactation, breastfeeding should be discontinued for the period of treatment. It should be remembered that the dosage of ointment for adolescents is less than for an adult.
If side effects occur, discontinue use and consult a doctor.
Medication overdose
As a rule, the ointment is well tolerated by patients, so the manifestation of an overdose is almost impossible. However, when using the drug for a long time, as well as when applied to large areas of the skin, side effects may occur.
In such cases, patients may experience the following gastrointestinal side effects:
- Diarrhea.
- Pain in the epigastric region.
- Feeling sick and wanting to vomit.
- Hemorrhages.
- Disturbed appetite.
According to the instructions for use and reviews for indomethacin ointment, if it gets on the mucous membranes or open wounds, there is a risk of local reactions from the skin, such as:
- Itching.
- Burning.
- Wearing.
- Redness.
- Soreness in the affected area of the skin.
If local reactions occur, flush skin with clean water or saline.
Analogues of this drug
Similar drugs are the following:
- "Indovazin". It is a combination drug, which includes indomethacin and troxerutin. The drug is produced in the form of a gel.
- "Troximethacin". Also a combination drug, similar in composition to Indovazin.
- "Amelotex". The active substance of the drug differs from indomethacin andcalled meloxicam. The drug eliminates soreness and inflammation.
- "Artrum". Ketoprofen is used as the active ingredient. It is contraindicated for children under 6 years of age.
Reviews on indomethacin ointment
Doctors call it an effective remedy for the treatment of joints and soft tissues. However, quite often it is necessary to prescribe an ointment along with drugs that significantly reduce its effectiveness, especially in relation to the inflammatory process. This causes a number of negative reviews about the drug.
All experts warn against self-use of the drug, as this can lead to the development of unwanted reactions from the body.
It should also be borne in mind that indomethacin ointment eliminates symptoms, but does not treat the cause of pain and inflammation. Therefore, only ointment should not be used to treat joint diseases.
Doctors invariably call the drug an effective remedy for pain at the local level.
We looked at what indomethacin ointment helps with.
