Indomethacin ointment. Instructions for use, what helps during pregnancy, price, reviews

• November 11, 2018
• Other drugs
• Inna Makagon

Indomethacin ointment is very popular, since the use of this drug is effective in many types of inflammatory processes and diseases. In addition, the medicine is very cheap.

Every patient should know what this drug contains, how and for what diseases it should be used. The rest of the article will discuss contraindications and adverse reactions.

Purpose, scope, composition, properties of the ointment

There are several manufacturers of this ointment, but its appearance remains unchanged - a thick cream, yellow in color. The color of the ointment is allowed from yellow to yellow-brown.

The thick consistency ensures minimal consumption when rubbed into the skin. The drug has a rather specific smell, which is caused by the inclusion of beeswax and lavender oil in the main composition.

It contains Indomethacin, which is a derivative of indoleacetic acid, one of the strongest classical non-steroids.

In terms of the strength of anti-inflammatory action, it ranks first among other nonsteroids, and in terms of the strength of analgesic action, it ranks fourth. Acting on inflammatory mediators, it stops the process.

Once in the blood, it blocks a special enzyme called COX, thereby reducing the development of the inflammatory process.

By inhibiting the interaction of bradykinin with tissue receptors, it reduces pain sensitivity in the center of inflammation.

By counteracting platelet aggregation (agligation), it increases tissue permeability, thereby reducing swelling.

It has a rich creamy shade with a sharp menthol smell.

Composition of the medicinal product

The active substance of the drug is indomethacin, a derivative of indoleacetic acid . The following are used as auxiliary components:

• polyethylene oxide;
• dimethyl sulfoxide;
• thermostable triethanolamine;
• methyl parahydroxybenzoate;
• purified water.

The drug is available in metal tubes of 30 or 40 grams, the concentration of the active substance is 10%. The cost of ointments containing indomethacin ranges from 50-100 rubles.

Composition of the product

The components of the product are:

• Indomethacin is the main active ingredient;
• Purified distilled water , which is used to achieve the ointment of the required consistency;
• Trolamine . Taking into account the fact that applying the ointment to the skin involves constant exposure to the skin, this substance is used, which regulates the pH level, making the chemicals used in the ointment “softer”;
• Nipagin is used as a preservative to preserve the ointment’s basic properties for a longer period of time;
• Polyethylene oxide - acts as a binding component between the substances of the ointment;
• Excipients : Levomenthol, Dimexide, Macrogol, Urea.

Some pharmaceutical companies (manufacturers) supplement this basic composition of the ointment with natural oils: castor oil or lavender, for a gentler effect on the joints through the skin.

The ointment refers to medicines of non-steroidal (homeopathic) origin for external use.

Main properties of the product:

• Significantly inhibits internal processes of platelet gluing;
• Significantly reduces pain and discomfort;
• Relieves inflammatory processes in tissues, subcutaneous layers and joints;
• In addition to treatment, it has a nutritional effect on the joints, thereby increasing their mobility;
• Relieves swelling in tissues and skin;
• Strengthens blood vessels and capillaries by reducing their permeability, which is why indomethocin ointment not only helps, but also prevents the deterioration of joints, for which it is also used as a means to nourish blood vessels, tissues and joints with necessary substances.

In the blood plasma, Indomethacin combines with proteins, is adsorbed in the liver, and is completely excreted from the body within 24 hours in feces and urine.

It has been studied that the saturation of the substance in plasma is almost 100 times less than it would be when taken in tablets. Knowledge of the most important mechanisms of action of the drug also makes it clear why the use of Indomecin ointment helps.

Recommendations for choosing ointment for joints

Any painful sensations in the muscles, joints, and spine make you think about the need to choose external medications to relieve discomfort. Only a doctor prescribes a course of therapeutic correction after carrying out all the necessary diagnostic measures. But you should still be aware of what local drugs are and why they are prescribed for diseases of the musculoskeletal system.

Groups of external products

Main groups of drugs for topical use:

• nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, which include indomethacin ointment;
• chondroprotectors;
• ointments with a warming and irritating effect;
• ointments based on steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

Medicines from the first group - non-steroidal anti-inflammatory external drugs - are effective and fast-acting. They are over-the-counter products: they can be purchased at any pharmacy after receiving doctor's recommendations. The drugs in this group include, in addition to indomethacin, such popular drugs as Diclofenac, Ketonal, Nise-gel, Ortofen and others.

Continuous use of local non-steroidal agents can last no more than two weeks, subject to the recommended dosage and frequency of application.

Chondroprotectors (Chondroxide and others) for external use include glucosamine and chondroitin, which are necessary for regenerative processes in joint structures.

Warming, irritating external products are made on the basis of plant extracts (capsaicin), essential oils, snake and bee venoms. May provoke allergic reactions, so should be used with caution. Do not apply to damaged, irritated skin. Such drugs include Capsicam, Apizartron and others.

Sometimes the doctor may prescribe local remedies with active components of the steroid structure. These medications have a pronounced anti-inflammatory effect.

Why the choice of external products should be entrusted to a specialist

In case of sudden attacks of pain, patients neglect the need to visit a doctor, and immediately independently select an external medicine or some folk method of getting rid of unpleasant sensations. This is not recommended - attempts to self-correct the pathology can aggravate its course.

Medical consultation is necessary because only a doctor can carry out the necessary diagnostic procedures and determine the cause of the symptoms that bother the patient. After this, the doctor will prescribe a comprehensive treatment, including not only external medications, but also internal medications, physiotherapy, massage and physical therapy exercises.

Therapeutic correction of pathologies of the musculoskeletal system must be comprehensive, and a list of means and methods must be determined by a specialist.

Release form

Indomethacin is available in two forms: ointment and gel. Ointments are available in hard metal tubes weighing 40 and 100 mg.

The effectiveness of this form of the drug has been repeatedly proven, due to the fact that the ointment, in addition to the main substance, also contains additional : natural oils that have an anti-inflammatory, soothing effect for the joints and a moisturizing effect for the skin itself on which this ointment is applied.

A high-quality metal tube and proper storage of the ointment allow you to preserve the properties of the ingredients of the composition longer due to complete protection from exposure to sunlight and high-altitude packaging density.

Sold in pharmacies without a prescription. Five and ten percent are available in tubes of 40 g.

Producing countries: Bulgaria, Russia, Iceland, Ukraine.

What does Indomethacin ointment help with? Indications for use. Instructions

Using the ointment helps get rid of joint pain, swelling, the consequences of bruises in the form of bruises, and inflammation inside the tissues.

The main active ingredients of the drug affect the synthesis between acids, which makes it possible to reduce and delay platelet aggregation processes.

Indomethacin ointment, the instructions for use of which suggest its use mainly as an anesthetic, also includes natural ingredients that nourish the joints, allowing them to quickly restore mobility and relieve pain.

Thanks to its main properties, Indomethacin ointment helps with:

• bruises;
• joint injuries;
• chronic joint diseases;
• morning swelling;
• stiffness in the joints.

For joint or back pain, use the ointment by simply rubbing it into the skin of the problem area. The composition is quickly absorbed.

Acute pain subsides within half an hour after application, the effect is consolidated within 8 hours.

To enhance the analgesic effect, it is proposed to apply applications by combining the ointment with essential oils or menthol. Usually they are kept for 10 - 15 minutes. Repeat 2-3 times during the day.

Occlusive dressings are not recommended.

Combined with heparin ointment, despite the fact that the anti-inflammatory effect increases, it is considered not relevant, since the anticoagulant nature of heparin is potentiated.

For people who suffer from joint diseases, waking up in the morning is a big problem, because after sleep the joints seem to become stiff, which hinders their mobility.

Important to remember! The process of so-called pacing, in order to bring swollen limbs and stiff joints into mobility, takes a lot of time and effort, since it is not painless.

Indications

The drug has a large number of indications. What does Indomethacin ointment help with:

1. Rheumatoid arthritis (damage to connective tissue with disruption of small capillaries, such as erosive-destructive polyarthritis of unknown origin).
2. Lumbago (a disease characterized by the appearance of sudden acute pain in the spine, arising for various reasons).
3. Osteoarthritis (a common disease that is a chronic damage to the joints, articular cartilage, as well as the joint capsule, bones and muscles).
4. Articular syndrome during exacerbation of gout (a complex disease that is a clinical manifestation of dysfunctional disorders of the musculoskeletal system).
5. Bursitis (a chronic inflammatory process in the synovial bursa, which is accompanied by increased production and accumulation of fluid in its cavity).
6. Kyphosis (a disease characterized by curvature of the spine in an imaginary vertical plane, subsequently forming a bulge on the side of the back).
7. Lordosis (curvature of the spine with a convexity in front, often appears together with other disorders).
8. Scoliosis (lateral deformation of the spinal column relative to its own axis with disruption of the vertebrae, that is, twisting them around the vertical axis of the spine).
9. Ankylosing spondylitis (chronic systemic disease of the joints with a predominant localization of the process in the sacroiliac joints, spinal joints and paravertebral soft tissues).
10. Sciatica (a spinal disease characterized by severe back pain caused by pinching and damage to the sciatic nerve).
11. Schmorl's hernia (protrusion of the intervertebral disc towards the upper or lower vertebra).
12. Psoriatic arthritis (chronic inflammation of the joints, as well as the spine and ligaments, which often appears in patients with psoriasis).
13. Inflammation of tendons and ligaments.
14. Radiculitis (inflammatory and compression damage to the roots of the spinal nerves).

In addition to these appointments, there are the following indications for the use of Indomethacin ointment:

1. Pain due to tumors in the spine.
2. Deforming osteoarthritis (degenerative and dystrophic disorders in which hyaline cartilage is affected).
3. Tendonitis (degenerative processes in tendon tissue, caused in most cases by excessive physical activity).
4. Plexitis (a disease caused by damage to a pair of interconnected nerves).
5. Osteochondrosis with radicular syndrome (damage to the roots of the spinal cord, which is the cause of many disorders).
6. Rheumatic and non-rheumatic muscle pain (a disease associated with aching or cutting pain in soft tissues).
7. Inflammatory lesions of the musculoskeletal system and soft tissues after injuries.
8. Injury.
9. Dislocation (violation of the articular surfaces of bones, both with and without disruption of the integrity of the articular capsule, under the influence of mechanical forces or destructive processes in the joint).
10. Ligament rupture.
11. Humeral-scapular periarthritis (an inflammatory process that is accompanied by degenerative changes in the periarticular tissues involved in the functioning of the shoulder).
12. Superficial thrombophlebitis (inflammation in the internal venous wall with the formation of a blood clot, which is characterized by thickening and redness along the dilated vein, severe pain, swelling, increased local and general body temperature).
13. Neuralgia (a condition that occurs when a peripheral nerve is damaged and is always accompanied by acute, sudden pain).
14. Pain in the spine.
15. Myalgia (pain in the muscles, caused by hypertonicity of myocytes in a state of tension or rest).

Instructions for use of Indomethacin ointment

Indometacion ointment, instructions for use note this - it helps against inflammation of joints and tissues.

It is necessary to apply the ointment in a medium layer (not thin), rub it in a little, without excessive pressure, and then leave this area with the ointment on the surface for 15-20 minutes so that the remaining product is absorbed into the skin on its own. Only after this can the excess drug be removed with a cloth or cotton wool.

A single dose is counted in centimeters, along the length of the ointment squeezed out of the tube. For adults, the daily dose is 15 cm. This means that a single dose will be equal to 5 cm.

For children over 14, the recommended daily amount is 7.5 cm; 2.5 cm is enough for one rub. It is suggested to lubricate 3 times a day.

Attention! It should be applied only to the painful area of ​​the body, in no case touching damaged skin; movements should be light and the application layer should be thin.

Contact with mucous membranes should be avoided. If this has already happened, then you must rinse with plenty of water or saline.

The course of treatment should not exceed 7-8 days. With longer use, it is necessary to monitor the blood test for platelets.

Features of use and dosage

Indomethacin ointment is rubbed into a thin layer into the skin of pathological areas up to 3 times a day. The amount of the product used should not be more than 15 centimeters of external preparation per day for adult patients and 7.5 centimeters for children over fourteen years of age.

Rubbing the ointment helps relieve pain and correct other manifestations of the inflammatory reaction. The swelling gradually disappears and the usual range of movements returns. Regular use of the drug makes it possible to achieve positive dynamics in the treatment of both degenerative and inflammatory pathologies.

Indications for use of ointment

The drug is an effective remedy for joint pain in the following diseases:

• arthritis;
• rheumatism;
• gout;
• osteoarthritis;
• bursitis.

These diseases are characterized by common symptoms, which is why the use of Indomethacin ointment helps. In addition, under its influence, stiffness decreases and the range of movements expands, which is important for these debilitating diseases.

A wide range of successful use of the ointment extends to diseases of the spine:

• osteochondrosis;
• pinched roots;
• neuralgia;
• sciatica;
• lumbago.

Pathologies of the spine always cause acute, sharp, unexpected pain, which hinders movement , does not allow normal walking, sitting, lying, bending and even standing, from which people usually suffer from insomnia and irritability at every little thing.

Prescribing Indomethacin ointment helps relieve and alleviate such troubles.

Anyone who has experienced such ailments knows what it takes to relieve pain and resume normal function of the limbs and joints.

In addition to helping in the treatment of the musculoskeletal system, the drug helps with severe muscle pain , soft tissue bruises, sprains and other traumatic injuries.

Indomethacin ointment helps those who have undergone severe abdominal surgery to relieve pain in the postoperative period. It helps relieve inflammation, get rid of fever and pain.

Often used by athletes and people of other professions that are associated with possible bruises and sprains.

Ointment with 5% concentrate

An ointment in which the concentration of the active substance is 5% is applied in the following dosage:

• Adults – 3 or 4 times a day, in a layer of about 3 cm;
• For a child - no more than 3 times a day, in a layer of 1.5-2 cm.

The duration of the course of using the ointment is prescribed only by a specialist, depending on the disease and its severity. However, the average course of ointment in complex treatment is no less than 7 and no more than 10 days.

If the expected effect does not occur during this time, the doctor should reconsider all prescribed treatment.

Ointment with 10% concentrate

Indomethacin ointment containing a 10% concentrate of the active substance has the following treatment regimen:

• Adults – no more than 3 times a day;
• For a child - no more than 2 times a day.

Recommendations regarding the technique and layer of ointment application correspond to those when using ointment with 5% of the active substance.

In total, an adult should not use more than 15 cm of this ointment on himself in 1 day; for a child this norm is less - no more than 12.5 cm.

Such indicators are approximate, but you should not overdo it with the use of ointment. Many people think that using ointments is safe in any quantity, but this is not true.

of certain active substances can form in the body Such consequences are especially dangerous for children.

Contraindications to the use of indomethacin ointment

Contraindications for the treatment of diseases of the musculoskeletal system:

• history of individual intolerance to indomethacin or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (rhinitis, urticaria, bronchospasm, as a reaction to previous use of the drug);
• ulcers of the stomach and intestines, especially in an acute state;
• periods of pregnancy and lactation;
• the child's age is up to fourteen years;
• dysfunction of the hematopoietic organs;
• hypocoagulation syndrome;
• deterioration of kidney and liver function;
• chronic pancreatitis;
• chronic heart failure, hypertension;
• open skin lesions.

If any of these conditions are present, indomethacin ointment should not be used. If it is necessary to prescribe drugs with similar effects, the safest medication in a particular clinical situation is selected.

Contraindications

Speaking about contraindications, you should understand that there are diseases for which Indometacion ointment helps, but there is a list for which it cannot be used, so there are some nuances that require its use with extreme caution:

Doctors pay special attention to the use of indomethacin-based ointment in childhood , because on the one hand, there are no strict restrictions in the instructions for use, only age up to 1 year, after a year it is possible.

At the same time, the use of this drug in children under 6 years of age should be under the constant supervision of parents over the general condition of the child.

Indeed, during this period, allergens that cause negative reactions in the child’s body may not yet have been identified.

Pharmacokinetics

Instructions for use of the ointment indicate that the ointment is never used independently, only in complex therapy with other medications.

Interaction with other substances:

• Anticoagulant medications (not directly affected), antiplatelet agents or fibronolins - indomethacin enhances their effect;
• "Zidovudine" - increases toxicity;
• Diuretics and antihypertensive drugs reduce the effectiveness of indomethacin ointment;
• Using the ointment together with estrogens significantly increases the side effects.

Taking into account the fact that the ointment is absorbed into tissues and joints through the skin and circulatory systems, in no case should you drink alcohol during treatment with it . This may lead to side effects or significantly increase them.

Indomethacin is eliminated from the body through the liver within 4-6 hours.

Possible side effects

In general, side effects from the use of the drug are very rare.

Incorrect use, overdose, individual intolerance to the components of the composition can lead to side effects:

• From the skin : dry skin, itching, rash, peeling, rashes, redness, hair loss, burning, peeling or redness of the skin (urticaria, rash, allergic reaction);
• From the gastrointestinal tract : nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, gastric bleeding, exacerbation of peptic ulcer;
• From the side of hematopoiesis : decrease in platelets and leukocytes, breathing - cough, suffocation, laryngeal edema;
• Mental disorders : sleep disturbance, depression;
• Among the disorders of cardiovascular activity : arrhythmias, hypertension, tachycardia;
• Other side effects : the appearance of asthma attacks; the appearance of edema, including neurotic edema (Quincke's edema), exacerbation of psoriasis, the appearance of a dry cough without other signs of ENT disease, dizziness, nausea.

It is important to consider the interaction of the drug with other medications.

Digoxin is prescribed for many heart diseases. This is an active saluretic that enhances the excretion of potassium and sodium salts from the body.

In these cases, it is not recommended to use it for edema, since Indomethacin increases the concentration, which can lead to hypokalemia.

Lithium preparations are widely used to treat mental disorders, especially depression. "Indomethacin" increases the concentration of lithium, which carries the risk of poisoning.

The simultaneous use of anticoagulants and Diflunisal is undesirable, as there may be a risk of bleeding.

Increases the toxicity of drugs such as Cyclosporine and Methotrexate. Reduces the effect of diuretics and beta-blockers.

If patients develop any undesirable signs, treatment is immediately canceled and qualified help is sought.

What you need to know about drug interactions

The nature of drug interactions between indomethacin and other drugs is shown in the table below.

Based on these data, it is necessary to take into account the medications that the patient uses in parallel with indomethacin in order to avoid negative reactions.

Conditions for storing and dispensing their pharmacies

Indomethacin ointment, according to the instructions for use, does not have to be kept in the refrigerator. You need to find a place that is protected from direct sunlight - this is the main requirement for storage conditions.

Temperature range permissible for storing this drug: from +15 to +25 degrees Celsius. Accordingly, the ointment must be protected from hypothermia, as well as from overheating.

This drug is dispensed from the pharmacy without a doctor's prescription.

Adverse reactions

According to reviews from doctors and instructions for use for Indomethacin ointment, it is known that the human body rarely reacts negatively to the medicine and is well tolerated if the patient does not allow poisoning. The following adverse reactions are likely to occur:

1. Peeling.
2. Hyperemia (increased overflow of the capillaries of any organ or part of the body with blood).
3. Increased dryness.
4. Rashes.
5. Attacks of suffocation (a life-threatening condition in which acute oxygen deficiency occurs and a person cannot breathe normally).
6. Unpleasant sensations in the area of ​​application.
7. Angioedema (an acute disease characterized by the rapid appearance of local swelling of the mucous cavity, subcutaneous tissue and the skin itself).
8. Exacerbations of psoriasis (a chronic non-infectious disease, dermatosis, mainly affecting the skin).
9. Increased swelling of soft tissues.

Use during pregnancy and lactation

According to the instructions for use, the use of Indomethacin ointment during lactation and pregnancy is prohibited .

To find out why Indomethacin ointment is needed and what it helps with, the instructions will be helpful.

In case of urgent need, when some diseases during pregnancy in women can cause severe pain, the use of ointment in small doses under the supervision of a doctor is permitted.

It is important to know! An ointment is prescribed only if the doctor observes a serious need for the use of the drug and the impossibility of using analogues.

What symptoms can an overdose cause?

External preparations are far from being so harmless. An overdose of indomethacin ointment is also possible if this remedy is used on large surfaces of the skin, and more often than three times a day. Exceeding permissible doses provokes the following clinical symptoms:

• nausea and vomiting;
• intense headaches and severe dizziness;
• memory impairment;
• violation of orientation in space;
• convulsive states, numbness of the arms and legs, paresthesia in the most severe situations.

Overdose is corrected with symptomatic therapy.

The use of indomethacin ointment as a means of treating degenerative-dystrophic and inflammatory pathologies of the musculoskeletal system is agreed with the attending physician. Self-medication is unacceptable, as it provokes adverse reactions that require immediate correction.

Analogues of "Indomethacin"

To understand the analogues, you need to turn to history.

For the first time, non-steroidal drugs were obtained after the isolation of salicylic acid from willow bark.

With further experiments, other acids began to be used for their production. This is how “Indomethacin” arose from indoleacetic acid.

There are about 10 acids, each with more than one preparation.

The demand for drugs with anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects has increased. Scientists began to produce non-acidic derivatives with a similar effect.

Among them are:

• "Nabumeton";
• "Nimesulide";
• "Celecoxib";
• Rofecoxib.

They are called selicative. They cause fewer side effects, and the direction is the same. This is how many analogues arose.

All analogues are classified along the following lines:

• identical in action, what they help with;
• similar in basic substance.

Analogues of Indomethacin ointment, considering what they help with:

• "Diclofenac";
• "Ketanol";
• "Ibuprofen";
• "Deep Relief";
• "Longit."

Analogues of Indomethacin ointment according to the main medicinal component:

• "Indomethacin Sopharma", "Indocid";
• "Indovazin", "Indomethacin-Acri";
• "Indobene", "Indotard";
• "Metindol-Retard".

Let's look at some of them.

"Indovazin"

Many people know this life-saving tube, made in green tones. The manufacturer is the famous Icelandic pharmaceutical company Actavis.

In addition to the anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects, it has a pronounced venotonic effect, improving microcirculation of blood vessels.

This strengthens the walls of blood vessels and quickly eliminates swelling . All this thanks to an additional ingredient - Troxerutin.

"Indobene"

German drug.

The therapeutic effect is aimed at what Indomethacin ointment helps with:

• injuries, dislocations;
• bruises, sprains;
• ligament and tendon ruptures.

It is also effective for diseases of the spine and other musculoskeletal ailments.

All analogues differ in manufacturer and additional components. The main substance itself, in percentage terms, remains unchanged in all ointments.

Ointments from different manufacturers:

• "Indomethacin-Biosintez" is produced by the Russian pharmaceutical enterprise "Biosintez";
• "Indomethacin Sopharma" - Bulgaria;
• "Indomethacin-Acri" - Russia;
• "Metindol-Retard" - Poland;
• "Indotard" - Israel;
• "Indobene" - Germany.

When choosing an ointment for treatment, you must first carefully read the instructions. It is necessary to find out what indomethacin ointment helps with, how the drug works, its analogues, contraindications.

The most important thing is to consult your doctor.