Indomethacin and Vomiting: What Users Say

• 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."

• Glo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 11, 2019

For Pain "I am a 58-year-old woman. My neurologist wanted to determine if the trigeminal pain I had been diagnosed with and suffered with for over six years was instead a type of trigeminal headache. He put me on indomethacin 50 mg 3x’s per day. By the first dose of indomethacin, I was very dizzy and nauseous. I had stomach pain and extreme fatigue. I took my afternoon second dose, I had all of the above symptoms but began vomiting. I could no longer sit in the recliner but listed to the side with a pillow to halfway and half sit. I had difficulty concentrating and faded in and out between dozing and wakefulness. By the third dose, I was having dry heaves and the above symptoms were worse. I felt like what it must be like to be slipped a Mickey in an alcoholic drink, even though I don’t drink, I could imagine that's what it would be like. I stumbled to my bed, where I passed out. I do not plan on ever taking another dose of this medication."

• Glo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 11, 2019

For Pain "I am a 58-year-old woman. My neurologist wanted to determine if the trigeminal pain I had been diagnosed with and suffered with for over six years was instead a type of trigeminal headache. He put me on indomethacin 50 mg 3x’s per day. By the first dose of indomethacin, I was very dizzy and nauseous. I had stomach pain and extreme fatigue. I took my afternoon second dose, I had all of the above symptoms but began vomiting. I could no longer sit in the recliner but listed to the side with a pillow to halfway and half sit. I had difficulty concentrating and faded in and out between dozing and wakefulness. By the third dose, I was having dry heaves and the above symptoms were worse. I felt like what it must be like to be slipped a Mickey in an alcoholic drink, even though I don’t drink, I could imagine that's what it would be like. I stumbled to my bed, where I passed out. I do not plan on ever taking another dose of this medication."

• 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• tod...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 3, 2021

For Gout, Acute "Took 50 mg 3x for 3 days. Ended up in ER dehydrated because I vomited all day. Then diarrhea. Hard on kidneys too. No thanks."