Indocap (Indomethacin) 25mg

Indocap general information

What is Indocap used for?

Indocap capsules 25mg are used to treat the pain and inflammation caused by chronic inflammatory joint diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis (wear and tear), ankylosing spondylitis, (an autoimmune inflammatory disease that affects the joints in the spine and pelvis and can cause fusion of the spine) and painful syndromes of the vertebral column; also degenerative joint disease of the hip, low-back pain and acute gouty arthritis.  Indocap capsules 25mg are also used to treat acute and chronic musculoskeletal disorders, such as sprains, strains and lower back pain (lumbago); to reduce pain, inflammation and swelling following orthopaedic surgery; and to relieve menstrual pain or dysmenorrhoea.  Indocap capsules 25mg help reduce symptoms like pain swelling and inflammation and also reduce stiffness in joints affected with arthritis to provide improved joint function, however, they do not treat the underlying disease process. 

How does Indocap work?

Indocap capsules 25mg contain indomethacin, which is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that has antirheumatic, anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic (fever reducing) properties.  Indomethacin in Indocap capsules 25mg blocks the production of specific hormone-like  chemicals called prostaglandins (PG) that mediate inflammation, particularly PGE2, and works by inhibiting the enzyme cyclooxygenase (COX), including cyclooxygenase 1 (COX-1) and cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2), which is involved in the synthesis of prostaglandins from arachidonic acid in the cell membrane.  COX-2 is induced during the inflammation process and is responsible for the synthesis of inflammatory prostaglandins, and inhibition of COX-2 helps relieve the symptoms of inflammation, including pain, swelling, and joint stiffness.  Inhibition of COX-1 is responsible for the gastrointestinal side effects that are due to inhibition of protective prostaglandins in the gut and disruption of regulation of acid content.  Indomethacin in Indocap capsules 25mg is rapidly absorbed and fast acting to provide relieve from pain and inflammation within two hours.

What does Indocap contain?

Indocap capsules contain the active ingredient indomethacin 25mg, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that is used treat the pain and inflammation. 

Treating arthritis with Indocap

Indocap capsules 25mg contain indomethacin a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that is used to relieve pain and inflammation in joints affected with arthritis.  Osteoarthritis (a degenerative disease also known as wear and tear) and rheumatoid arthritis (an autoimmune disease where the immune system turns on self) are chronic inflammatory diseases in which the joints become inflamed, swollen and painful.  indomethacin in Indocap capsules 25mg blocks the production of specific chemicals called prostaglandins (PG) that mediate inflammation, particularly PGE2, and works by inhibiting the enzyme cyclooxygenase (COX) including cyclooxygenase 1 (COX-1) and cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) that is induced during the inflammation process and is responsible for the synthesis of inflammatory prostaglandins.  Inhibition of COX-2 helps relieve the symptoms of inflammation, including pain, swelling, and joint stiffness, to improve the functional use of affected joints.  

Indocap for pain and inflammation

Indocap capsules 25mg contain indomethacin a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that is used to relieve pain and inflammation in various chronic inflammatory joint diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis (wear and tear), ankylosing spondylitis, (an autoimmune inflammatory disease that affects the joints in the spine and pelvis and can cause fusion of the spine).  Indocap capsules 25mg are also used to treat acute and chronic musculoskeletal disorders, such as sprains, strains and lower back pain (lumbago); to reduce pain, inflammation and swelling following orthopaedic surgery; and to relieve menstrual pain or dysmenorrhoea.  indomethacin in Indocap capsules 25mg blocks the production of specific chemicals called prostaglandins (PG) that mediate inflammation, particularly PGE2, and works by inhibiting the enzyme cyclooxygenase (COX) including cyclooxygenase 1 (COX-1) and cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) that is induced during the inflammation process and is responsible for the synthesis of inflammatory prostaglandins.  Inhibition of COX-2 helps relieve the symptoms of inflammation, including pain, swelling.

What are the side effects of Indocap?

The most commonly reported side effects when taking Indocap capsules 25mg are gastrointestinal and include: upset stomach or stomach pain, diarrhoea, indigestion, bloating wind, heartburn, indigestion, constipation.  Other side effects include: dizziness, drowsiness, headache, light-headedness, vertigo, tinnitus (buzzing or ringing in the ears), oedema and fluid retention, thirst, sore mouth and tongue (stomatitis) skin eruptions including rash, itching, sweating.

When should Indocap not be used?

You should not use Indocap capsules 25mg if you:

• are allergic to indomethacin or any ingredients in Indocap
• are pregnant or are breastfeeding
• have kidney or liver disease
• have had any previous gastrointestinal bleeding or perforation when taking NSAIDs
• have any coagulation disorder
• have ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease
• have asthma as indomethacin may cause bronchospasm
• have severe heart failure
• are taking medicines that interact with Indocap, including: aspirin or other NSAIDs, diuretics like frusemide, beta blockers and ACE inhibitors for high blood pressure, anticoagulants like warfarin, lithium for mood disorders, SSRI antidepressants, digoxin for heart failure, corticosteroids for inflammatory conditions, the immunosuppressants tacrolimus and cyclosporine, aminoglycoside antibiotics, methotrexate for cancer treatment

What medications interact with Indocap?

Several medications interact with Indocap capsules 25mg and should either not be taken while you are taking Indocap or only after discussion and instruction from your doctor:

• Drugs that cause a serious reaction with Indocap: anti-platelet drugs like aspirin or other NSAIDs, corticosteroids, antidepressants SSRIs, the immunosuppressant cyclosporine, quinolone antibiotics, lithium for mood disorders
• Drugs that affect Indocap: cimetidine for stomach ulcers
• Drugs that are affected by Indocap: anticoagulants like warfarin, diuretics like frusemide, lithium for mood disorders, the anti-cancer drug methotrexate, beta blockers and ACE inhibitors for high blood pressure, digoxin for heart failure,

How should Indocap be taken?

You should take your Indocap capsules 25mg swallowed whole water and with food.  The dose you take and how often depends on your condition, your doctor’s recommendation and any side effects you may experience. You should continue to take your Indocap capsules 25mg for as long as recommended by your doctor, which may be for a few days, several weeks or longer, depending on what you are being treated for. 

How long should you take Indocap?

You should continue to take your Indocap capsules 25mg for as long as recommended by your doctor, which may be for a few days, several weeks or longer, depending on what you are being treated for. 

Missed dose of Indocap

If you miss a dose of Indocap capsules 25mg take it as soon as you remember, unless it is time to take the next dose, then skip the missed dose.  Do not take a double dose.

How should Indocap be stored?

You should store your Indocap below 25°C in a cool dry place.