Indocin vs. Celebrex

• Are Indocin and Celebrex the Same Thing?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Indocin?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Celebrex?
• What Is Indocin?
• What Is Celebrex?
• What Drugs Interact with Indocin?
• What Drugs Interact with Celebrex?
• How Should Indocin Be Taken?
• How Should Celebrex Be Taken?

Indocin (indomethacin) and Indocin IV (indomethacin) for Injection and Celebrex (celecoxib) are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) used to treat arthritis.

Indocin is also used to treat more severe rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, acute gouty arthritis, bursitis, and tendinitis.

Celebrex is also used to treat familial FAP, acute pain, and menstrual cramps.

The brand name Indocin is no longer available in the U.S. but may be available as a generic.

Side effects of Indocin and Celebrex that are similar include upset stomach, diarrhea, bloating, gas, dizziness, nervousness, headache, or skin rash.

Side effects of Indocin that are different from Celebrex include vomiting, heartburn/indigestion, a feeling of bowel fullness, constipation, rectal irritation, drowsiness, itching, or blurred vision.

Side effects of Celebrex that are different from Indocin include abdominal pain, nausea, runny or stuffy nose, sore throat, insomnia, and serious stomach and intestinal ulcers.

Both Indocin and Celebrex may interact with alcohol, antidepressants, lithium, blood thinners, heart or blood pressure medications, or diuretics (water pills).

Indocin may also interact with trazodone, vilazodone, cyclosporine, methotrexate, probenecid, or steroids.

Celebrex may also interact with other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), other cold/allergy/pain medicine that contains NSAIDs, fluconazole, or ACE inhibitors.

Common side effects of Indocin include:

• vomiting,
• upset stomach,
• heartburn,
• diarrhea,
• a feeling of bowel fullness,
• constipation,
• bloating,
• gas,
• rectal irritation,
• dizziness,
• drowsiness,
• nervousness,
• headache,
• skin rash,
• itching, or
• blurred vision.

Tell your doctor if you experience unlikely but serious side effects of Indocin (indomethacin) and Indocin IV (indomethacin) for Injection including swelling of the hands or feet (edema), sudden or unexplained weight gain, hearing changes (such as ringing in the ears), mental/mood changes, difficult/painful swallowing, or unusual tiredness.

Common side effects of Celebrex include:

• headache,
• abdominal pain,
• indigestion,
• diarrhea,
• nausea,
• upset stomach,
• bloating,
• gas,
• dizziness,
• nervousness,
• headache,
• runny or stuffy nose,
• sore throat,
• skin rash, and
• insomnia.

Celebrex may cause serious stomach and intestinal ulcers.

Indocin (indomethacin) and Indocin IV (indomethacin) for Injection is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used to treat severe rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, osteoarthritis, acute gouty arthritis, bursitis, and tendinitis. The brand name Indocin is no longer available in the U.S. but may be available as a generic termed indomethacin.

Celebrex used to treat pain and redness, swelling, and heat (inflammation) from medical conditions such as different types of arthritis, menstrual cramps, and other types of short-term pain.

In late pregnancy, Indocin (indomethacin and other NSAIDs) should be avoided because it may cause premature closure of the ductus arteriosus. Serious side effects of Indocin may include heart attack, stroke, skin changes (paleness, blisters, rash, and hives), weight gain, swelling, shortness of breath, tachycardia, unusual bleeding (including GI bleeding), jaundice, stomach pain, and pain with urination, bloody urine, blurry vision, and back pain. Patients with asthma that are aspirin-sensitive should avoid use of this drug. Indocin may reduce the effectiveness of ACE inhibitors and increase lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid) levels; use with aspirin or similar agents is not recommended. Caution is advised as Indocin may react with a number of other drugs so the prescribing physician will need a list of current medications. Indocin should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus and infant; it is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women.

Do not take Celebrex:

• if you have had an asthma attack, hives, or other allergic reaction with aspirin or any other NSAIDs.
• right before or after heart bypass surgery.

Indocin is available in capsules in strengths of 25 and 50 mg, in suspension strength of 25 mg per 5 ml and as a suppository in strength of 50 mg per suppository. Initial doses usually start at 25 mg three times daily. Indocin IV (indomethacin) for Injection Sterile Vial contains 1 mg Indocin and is used by specialists in infants to close a patent ductus arteriosus in the heart and is not commonly prescribed. Indocin (indomethacin) ordinarily should not be prescribed for pediatric patients under 15 years old.

Carefully consider the potential benefits and risks of Celebrex and other treatment options before deciding to use Celebrex. Use the lowest effective dosage for the shortest duration consistent with individual patient treatment goals.