Alternatives to indomethacin
Same-class medications cross-checked against FDA data — compare uses, side effects, and safety profiles.
Brand: Indocin
About indomethacin
Indomethacin is a drug that reduces pain and swelling. It belongs to a class of drugs called NSAIDs.
Used for: Indomethacin treats moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and osteoarthritis. It can also help with acute painful shoulder (bursitis or tendinitis) and gouty arthritis. This medicine reduces pain and swelling in your joints.
Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug (NSAID) Alternatives (13)
diclofenac
OTCVoltaren, Cataflam
This medicine temporarily relieves arthritis pain. It is only for pain in your hands, wrists, elbows, feet, ankles, or knees. It may take up to 7 days to start working. If you still have pain after 7 days, stop using it.
diflunisal
RxDolobid
Diflunisal can help with mild to moderate pain. It can also treat the symptoms of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. You should use the lowest dose that works for you, for the shortest time needed.
etodolac
RxLodine
Etodolac treats the symptoms of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. It can help with pain and swelling in your joints. Etodolac is also used for short-term relief of acute pain.
ibuprofen
OTCAdvil, Motrin
Ibuprofen can help with minor aches and pains. You can use it for headaches, toothaches, backaches, menstrual cramps, and muscle aches. It can also help with the common cold, minor arthritis pain, and fever.
ketoprofen
RxOrudis
Ketoprofen extended-release capsules treat the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. These conditions cause pain, swelling, and stiffness in the joints. This medicine is not for treating sudden, sharp pain.
ketorolac
RxToradol
Ketorolac is used for short-term relief of moderate to severe pain. It is often used after surgery. You should only use it for up to 5 days.
mefenamic acid
RxPonstel
Mefenamic acid is used to relieve mild to moderate pain in people 14 years and older. It should not be used for more than 7 days. It is also used to treat menstrual cramps.
meloxicam
RxMobic
Meloxicam treats the symptoms of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. It can also treat juvenile rheumatoid arthritis in children who weigh at least 132 pounds (60 kg). This medicine helps to relieve pain, swelling, and stiffness in your joints.
nabumetone
RxRelafen
Nabumetone is used to relieve the symptoms of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. These conditions can cause pain, swelling, and stiffness in your joints. This medicine can help you feel better.
naproxen
OTCAleve, Naprosyn
Naproxen is used to relieve pain and inflammation. You can use it for arthritis, including rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. It also treats ankylosing spondylitis and juvenile idiopathic arthritis. Naproxen can help with tendonitis, bursitis, gout, menstrual cramps, and general pain.
oxaprozin
RxDaypro
This medicine can help with the symptoms of osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. These conditions can cause pain, swelling, and stiffness in your joints. Oxaprozin can help you feel better by reducing these symptoms.
piroxicam
RxFeldene
Piroxicam helps to relieve the pain and swelling from osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Osteoarthritis is a joint problem that usually affects older people. Rheumatoid arthritis is a disease that causes joint pain, swelling, and stiffness.
sulindac
RxClinoril
Sulindac can help with the pain and swelling from different types of arthritis. This includes osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. It can also treat ankylosing spondylitis, a painful shoulder, and gout.
Side Effect Comparison
Adverse event reports from the FDA FAERS database. Higher counts may reflect wider use, not necessarily higher risk.
| Side Effect | indomethacin | diclofenac | diflunisal | etodolac |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The medicine is not working | 1,369 | — | — | 362 |
| Feeling tired | 1,102 | — | — | — |
| Joint pain | 1,002 | 8,640 | 43 | 284 |
| Head pain | 990 | — | — | — |
| Using the medicine for a different purpose than approved | 939 | — | — | — |
| Aches or soreness | 921 | — | — | — |
| Feeling sick to your stomach | 907 | — | 66 | 290 |
| Loose or watery stools | 878 | — | — | — |
"—" means no reports for that reaction. Report counts reflect total FAERS submissions, not prevalence rates.
Why Consider Alternatives?
Cost
Generic alternatives may be significantly cheaper. Ask your pharmacist about generic options in the Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug (NSAID) class.
Side Effects
Different drugs in the same class can have different side effect profiles. If one doesn't work for you, another might.
Availability
Drug shortages happen. Knowing alternatives helps your doctor switch quickly if your usual medication is unavailable.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the alternatives to indomethacin? ▼
Can I switch from indomethacin to an alternative? ▼
How to Read These Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug (NSAID) Alternatives
indomethacin (marketed as Indocin) sits within the Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug (NSAID) class, and the 13 alternatives above share the same therapeutic classification under FDA labeling. Drugs grouped this way typically work through similar mechanisms, but they are not interchangeable — each has its own pharmacokinetics, dosing schedule, contraindications, and adverse-event profile derived from separate clinical trials. The labeled indication for indomethacin focuses on: Indomethacin treats moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and osteoarthritis.
The side-effect comparison above draws on FDA FAERS data, where indomethacin has 9,720 reports across its top 10 reactions, measured against diclofenac, diflunisal, etodolac. Raw report counts reflect total exposure — a medication prescribed to tens of millions will accumulate more reports than a newer or niche option even when per-patient risk is lower. Dashes in the comparison table mean that reaction was not among the top reported events for that drug, not that it never occurs. Generic availability for indomethacin is well established, and competing products often have substantially different acquisition costs under NADAC.
Switching between medications in the same class is a clinical decision with real consequences — dosing conversions are not one-to-one, interaction profiles differ, and prior treatment response is individual. Shortage status, insurance formulary placement, and out-of-pocket cost all influence which alternative is practical in a given situation. This comparison surfaces public FDA data to help patients and caregivers prepare informed questions; it is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always talk to your prescriber or pharmacist before switching or stopping any medication.
Medical Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Do not stop or change your medication without talking to your doctor or pharmacist.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.