Drug interactions
Indomethacin + Salicylates
Severity: Moderate
Indomethacin and Salicylates: 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
Combining indomethacin with another salicylate adds gastrointestinal and bleeding risk without added benefit, and salicylates may lower indomethacin levels. Renal effects and potassium retention may also be additive in susceptible patients.
What this interaction means in plain words
Indomethacin and Salicylates 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.
Why it happens
Additive COX inhibition causes gastric mucosal injury, platelet dysfunction and reduced renal prostaglandins, and salicylates may displace indomethacin from protein binding.
What to do
Avoid concurrent use of multiple NSAIDs or salicylates. If unavoidable, monitor for gastrointestinal bleeding and renal function and consider gastroprotection.
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?
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Other interactions of Indomethacin
- Indomethacin + Ketorolac Contraindicated
- Indomethacin + Ketorolac intranasal Contraindicated
- Aceclofenac + Indomethacin Major
- Acemetacin + Indomethacin Major
- Acetylsalicylic acid + Indomethacin Major
- Alteplase + Indomethacin Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Indomethacin with Salicylates?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Indomethacin and Salicylates 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. Combining indomethacin with another salicylate adds gastrointestinal and bleeding risk without added benefit, and salicylates may lower indomethacin levels. Renal effects and potassium retention may also be additive in susceptible patients.
How serious is the interaction between Indomethacin and Salicylates?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Avoid concurrent use of multiple NSAIDs or salicylates. If unavoidable, monitor for gastrointestinal bleeding and renal function and consider gastroprotection.
What other medicines interact with Indomethacin?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Indomethacin with, for example, Ketorolac, Ketorolac intranasal, Aceclofenac. The full list is on the Indomethacin page.
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