What is the dosage of Indomethacin?

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Last updated: February 17, 2025 • View editorial policy

From the Guidelines

Dosage of Indomethacin

The dosage of indomethacin is 50 mg 3 times daily for 2 days and 25 mg/d for the next 3 days for acute gouty arthritis, as supported by studies such as 1.

  • For acute gout, the dose can also be 50 mg 4 times a day until pain abates, as seen in another study 2.
  • It's essential to note that the dosage may vary depending on the specific condition being treated and the patient's response to the medication.
  • The maximum daily dose of indomethacin is typically 200 mg, and the treatment duration should not exceed 7-10 days for acute gouty arthritis.
  • The dosage may need to be adjusted based on the patient's age, weight, and renal function, as well as the presence of any concomitant medical conditions.
  • It's crucial to monitor patients for adverse events, such as gastrointestinal adverse events, which were more common in indomethacin-treated patients compared to those receiving prednisolone 1, 2.

From the FDA Drug Label

DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION ... Indomethacin capsules 25 mg b.i.d. or t.i. d. If this is well tolerated, increase the daily dosage by 25 mg or by 50 mg, if required by continuing symptoms, at weekly intervals until a satisfactory response is obtained or until a total daily dose of 150 mg to 200 mg is reached.

DOSES ABOVE THIS AMOUNT GENERALLY DO NOT INCREASE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE DRUG

In patients who have persistent night pain and/or morning stiffness, the giving of a large portion, up to a maximum of 100 mg, of the total daily dose at bedtime may be helpful in affording relief. The total daily dose should not exceed 200 mg.

The dosage of Indomethacin is:

  • 25 mg b.i.d. or t.i.d. initially
  • Increased by 25 mg or 50 mg daily at weekly intervals if required, up to a total daily dose of 150 mg to 200 mg
  • Not to exceed 200 mg per day
  • For specific conditions:
    • Acute painful shoulder: 75 mg to 150 mg daily in 3 or 4 divided doses
    • Acute gouty arthritis: 50 mg t.i.d. until pain is tolerable, then rapidly reduced to complete cessation of the drug 3

From the Research

Dosage of Indomethacin

  • The average daily dosage of indomethacin ranged from 50 to 150 mg, with 81% of patients taking 75 to 100 mg per day 4
  • Indocin SR, a sustained release capsule of indomethacin, delivers 25 mg of drug immediately and 50 mg gradually, with an absolute bioavailability of 80% 5
  • Indos, a zero-order release form of indomethacin, has a bioavailability of 85% and is apparently therapeutically equivalent to indomethacin capsules 5
  • A study on the effect of indomethacin on HIV replication found that the 50% inhibition (IC50) was 10 microM, corresponding to plasma levels after administration of 50 mg oral indomethacin 6
  • Another study compared etodolac with indomethacin (50 mg t.i.d.) for the treatment of ankylosing spondylitis, but did not provide information on the optimal dosage of indomethacin 7
  • A network meta-analysis of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for the treatment of pain in knee and hip osteoarthritis did not specifically examine the dosage of indomethacin, but found that diclofenac 150 mg/day was the most effective NSAID available 8

Professional Medical Disclaimer

This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.