aspirin vs indomethacin
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Side-by-side comparison of aspirin and indomethacin. Data from FDA drug databases (Orange Book, NDC Directory, recalls, shortages) covering 20,000+ approved drugs, plus CMS pricing; see our methodology.
minor Known Drug Interaction
Intervention: Monitor patients with concomitant use of indomethacin capsules with anticoagulants (e.g., warfarin), antiplatelet agents (e.g., aspirin), selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), and serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) for signs of bleeding [ see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.12 ) ] . Aspirin Clinical Impact: Controlled clinical studies showed that the concomitant use of NSAIDs and analgesic doses of aspirin does not produce any greater therapeutic effect than the use of NSAIDs alone. In a clinical study, the concomitant use of an NSAID and aspirin was...
Bayer, Ecotrin
Indocin
Aspirin is a common medicine used to relieve minor pain. It can also be prescribed by your doctor for other uses.
Indomethacin is a drug that reduces pain and swelling. It belongs to a class of drugs called NSAIDs.
Aspirin is used to temporarily relieve minor aches and pains. However, it works slowly. It will not quickly relieve headaches or other symptoms that need immediate relief. Ask your doctor about other uses for this medicine.
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.
Aspirin belongs to a class of drugs called NSAIDs and antiplatelets. It works by reducing substances in the body that cause pain and inflammation. It also helps to prevent blood clots.
Indomethacin works by blocking substances in the body that cause pain and inflammation. These substances are called prostaglandins. By blocking them, indomethacin helps to reduce swelling, pain, and stiffness.
- • Upset stomach
- • Heartburn
- • Headache
- • Dizziness
- • Upset stomach
- • Nausea
- Fatigue 31,963
- Dyspnoea 27,179
- Nausea 26,579
- Diarrhoea 26,452
- Dizziness 22,390
- Fatigue 1,102
- Arthralgia 1,002
- Headache 990
- Pain 921
- Nausea 907
No specific warnings noted.
Indomethacin may increase your risk of serious heart problems like heart attack or stroke, which can be fatal. This risk may occur early in treatment and may increase with longer use. You should not take this medicine before or after heart bypass surgery (CABG). Indomethacin can also increase your risk of serious stomach and intestine problems like bleeding, ulcers, and holes, which can be fatal. These problems can happen without warning. Elderly patients and those with a history of ulcers or GI bleeding are at higher risk.
Ask your doctor for advice if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Using indomethacin during the later stages of pregnancy may harm your unborn baby. Limit use between 20 and 30 weeks of pregnancy, and avoid use after 30 weeks. Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
Also Compare, Nearby Drugs
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How to Read This aspirin vs indomethacin Comparison
aspirin is classified in the Antiplatelet / NSAID drug class, while indomethacin sits within the Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug (NSAID) class. Drugs from different classes work through distinct mechanisms, so a head-to-head comparison illustrates trade-offs rather than equivalence. Both drugs are split between OTC and prescription status, which affects access and supervision.
Adverse event totals above are pulled from the FDA's Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). For these top-ranked reactions alone, aspirin has 134,563 submissions while indomethacin has 4,922. Those figures reflect cumulative reporting volume, not per-patient risk, so older, widely dispensed drugs typically look worse on count alone. These two drugs have a known minor interaction flagged in FDA labeling, attributed to taking these together increases the risk of bleeding because both drugs affect how your blood clots and can irritate your stomach.. Serious warnings, pregnancy guidance, and contraindications can differ even when indications overlap.
A table cannot represent individual circumstances. Data here is sourced from FDA Structured Product Labels (SPL) and FAERS, both of which update as manufacturers and clinicians submit new information. This registry does not provide medical, treatment, substitution, or medication-change directions for aspirin or indomethacin.
Registry boundary: This comparison displays source-record fields and does not provide individualized medical direction.