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Drug interactions

Indomethacin + Methylprednisolone

Severity: Moderate

Indomethacin and Methylprednisolone: moderate interaction.

Last updated

For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.

Summary

Using a systemic corticosteroid with an NSAID raises the risk of gastric and duodenal ulceration and gastrointestinal bleeding beyond that of either drug alone. The risk is greater in older patients, with prolonged use, or with higher doses.

What this interaction means in plain words

Indomethacin and Methylprednisolone can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken.

Indomethacin belongs to Musculoskeletal; Methylprednisolone belongs to Endocrine.

Evidence level: High

Why it happens

Additive gastrointestinal mucosal injury: NSAID-related prostaglandin inhibition combined with corticosteroid impairment of mucosal healing.

What to do

Use the lowest effective doses for the shortest time, and consider adding a proton pump inhibitor in at-risk patients. Watch for dyspepsia, melena or anemia.

What to ask your pharmacist

  • Should I take them at different times of day?
  • Does the dose of either medicine need to change?
  • Is there anything I should avoid, such as alcohol or certain foods, while on both?

Bring a full list of your medicines, including over-the-counter products, supplements and herbal remedies, to every pharmacy visit.

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Frequently asked questions

Can I take Indomethacin with Methylprednisolone?

MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Indomethacin and Methylprednisolone can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken. Using a systemic corticosteroid with an NSAID raises the risk of gastric and duodenal ulceration and gastrointestinal bleeding beyond that of either drug alone. The risk is greater in older patients, with prolonged use, or with higher doses.

How serious is the interaction between Indomethacin and Methylprednisolone?

MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Use the lowest effective doses for the shortest time, and consider adding a proton pump inhibitor in at-risk patients. Watch for dyspepsia, melena or anemia.

What other medicines interact with Methylprednisolone?

MediHelp also lists interactions of Methylprednisolone with, for example, Bcg vaccine live, Measles mumps and rubella vaccine live, Measles mumps rubella and varicella vaccine live. The full list is on the Methylprednisolone page.

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