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Drug interactions

Indomethacin + Prednisone

Severity: Moderate

Indomethacin and Prednisone: 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

Concurrent corticosteroid and NSAID use increases the risk of peptic ulcers and gastrointestinal bleeding. The risk increases with age, dose and duration of therapy.

What this interaction means in plain words

Indomethacin and Prednisone 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; Prednisone belongs to Endocrine.

Evidence level: High

Why it happens

NSAID inhibition of mucosal prostaglandins combined with corticosteroid impairment of mucosal healing gives additive gastrointestinal toxicity.

What to do

Use the lowest effective doses for the shortest time and add a proton pump inhibitor in at-risk patients.

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 Prednisone?

MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Indomethacin and Prednisone 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. Concurrent corticosteroid and NSAID use increases the risk of peptic ulcers and gastrointestinal bleeding. The risk increases with age, dose and duration of therapy.

How serious is the interaction between Indomethacin and Prednisone?

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 add a proton pump inhibitor in at-risk patients.

What other medicines interact with Prednisone?

MediHelp also lists interactions of Prednisone with, for example, Bcg vaccine live, Measles vaccine, Mifepristone. The full list is on the Prednisone page.

Full monographs, dosing and an interaction checker in the MediHelp app

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