Indomethacin and Headaches: What Users Say

• gou...
• September 6, 2014

For Gout, Acute "The 1st time I tried indomethacin, it was magic for gout. I took it during a flare-up, and half an hour later, I felt the pain dissipate like the feeling of your foot getting 'unslept' from being asleep. The side effects were horrible. I was dizzy, nauseous, had a headache, and wanted to puke. So after the 1st time, I would only take it when I was about to go to sleep. The 1st time I tried indomethacin was 7 years ago. I have flare-ups once or twice a year since then. Now though, I don't feel the side effects, but the medicine has also stopped working. Maybe I built a tolerance to it. Before, I would take 2 tablets before I went to bed, and I would wake up pain-free."

• Gou...
• May 22, 2016

For Gout, Acute "I'm a 40-year-old healthy female that mysteriously had my first gout attack this week. I thought my toes were broken. I got into the doctor right away, and he prescribed indomethacin. Well, I'm 4 days after the attack and getting around pretty good and started managing it with just Aleve by the 3rd day, but I quit the indomethacin because the side effects were terrible. Bad headaches, really tired, dizzy. I thought it was the Vicodin given to me for the pain, but my side effects worsened even after I quit Vicodin. Everyone is different, and I would have taken anything on day 1 to try and help the pain, but I quit taking this drug as soon as my foot cleared up. The drug is unbearable. Hopefully, no new attacks for me, and this is a freak thing."

• aer...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 25, 2013

For Gout, Acute "I am surprised no one has complained about the terrible headache side effects. For the past six months, I have taken indomethacin on five different occasions when I feel a severe gout attack coming. I would start with 100 mg three times a day for the first two days, followed by 50 mg three times a day for eight days after. It always worked and prevented a full-blown gout attack. However, I always got a headache while taking this medicine (supposedly a very common side effect). Most recently, however, I experienced a headache so severe that I had to leave work. I thought it was the intra-dose withdrawal headache that I normally got from this medication, so I took another pill hoping I would feel better. Immediately, I vomited."

• Anonymous
• June 4, 2019

For Gout, Acute "I had gout in my left ankle and foot. First two days I couldn't even stand on foot and was walking with crutches. After 2 days on indomethacin, the pain was less, but I was able to walk without crutches. After 3 days, I still get pain after 7 hours and need to take another pill. Each day a little better, but definitely take with food or your stomach gets torn up. I also experienced some headaches the first couple of days, but they seem to have subsided."

• Ama...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 6, 2022

For Pain "I was prescribed Indocin suppositories by a doctor specialized in facial/trigeminal neuralgia. My unusual condition involves tooth/jaw pain, tinnitus, spasms of the diaphragm, low body temperature, headache, stiff back of neck, severe drop in mental capacity, and violent vomiting. Aspirin, paracetamol, and ibuprofen offered only partial relief with an effect of masking pain, only when I was able to keep the pills down. Indocin 100 mg suppositories eliminated all my symptoms within 20 minutes and sent me into a deep, blissful sleep from which I awoke fully recovered and energetic. The condition eventually reappears, but at least the duration and severity are drastically reduced. After 13 years of helpless suffering from this curse 6 days per month, Indocin gives me my life back."

• Gou...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 30, 2018

For Gout, Acute "I've had gout for the past 8 years. Usually in my heel and various places around my foot. I can't recall getting the big toe, which is odd. Over the years, it has gotten worse and started to happen more frequently. I got it in my knee for the first time, and that has been a wake-up call as the pain is tremendous and unbearable (I have a high tolerance for pain, and this made me scream on occasion). On to the indomethacin, I started taking this to reduce the pain and swelling. The first dose gave me a buzzed feeling and made me tired. After a few more doses (50 mg, 8 hours), I started to get headaches and an overall sick feeling. Spinning, hot/cold flashes, continuous headache, insomnia, just horrible. While it did help with the pain, after three days, I couldn't take this stuff anymore. It seems like it also has a hangover effect that lasted for another day. I don't know if I can ever take this again."

• Anonymous
• June 12, 2009

Indomethacin for Ankylosing Spondylitis "It's effective in controlling the pain and inflammation related to ankylosing spondylitis for about 16 hours, and then it's followed by headache and return of pain and inflammation. I've been using it for four days now and will be switching to 2 x a day."

• AL ...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 3, 2018

For Gout, Acute "I am a 64-year-old male at 145 pounds. I saw a podiatrist (DPM) at 2:30 pm on day 1. My pain was at a 7. I had my 1st 50 mg capsule of indomethacin at 5 pm. By 9 pm, my pain was at a 9. I took a pain pill because I could not tolerate the pain any longer. My prescription was 3 - 50 mg capsules a day. On day 2, my pain was down to a 3, and my foot was still swollen. On day 3, my foot was better, and I took my first capsule at 6:30 am. By 9 am, I was nauseous and vomiting. I felt lightheaded and awful. I was nauseous for several hours and lightheaded most of the day, with an awful headache. I finally started feeling better 12 hours later at 9 pm. After the 5th capsule, I got sick as a dog. I stopped the medication, it was not worth it."

• Ind...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 26, 2022

For Ankylosing Spondylitis "At age 46, out of nowhere, I started to have increased pain, movement limitations, numbness, weakness, and was diagnosed with a spinal condition which I was told needed spinal surgery. Because everything was new to me, I decided to buy back time and try something else other than surgery. Indomethacin has helped my spinal condition (C4-5, C6-7) over other drugs and treatments like Lyrica, etc. I couldn’t move much for about 8 months, until I started to take this medication. Side effects like drowsiness felt only during the first few (2-3) days, headaches a few times, in order to avoid an upset stomach, I make sure I have something in my stomach, and now after epidural treatments, I only take it as needed. It works marvelously for me, not only helps with my spinal pain, but with elbow and knee pain. I call this medication my green pill, not only because of the manufacturer color but because it’s a cheap way to treat my condition without the need of using any other stronger meds. Good luck."

• Man...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• November 14, 2023

For Ankylosing Spondylitis "Since 1996, I take indomethacin twice a day, 2 pills of 50 mg. Every 6 months, I check my blood to see if it is okay. In terms of side effects, almost nothing. I eat before I take it; I take one in the morning and the other late evening, 8-9 PM. Now, I'm addicted to it because once I miss my dose, I have a headache! The last is extremely rare; I have indigestion, I vomit, but once or twice a year."

• JMK...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• October 17, 2020

For Cluster Headaches "I have been suffering from chronic migraines, and indomethacin does help to get rid of them within 2 hours. Although used often, it does result in headaches."