ibuprofen vs indomethacin
Side-by-side comparison of ibuprofen and indomethacin Data from FDA drug databases (Orange Book, NDC Directory, recalls, shortages) covering 20,000+ approved drugs, plus CMS pricing; see our methodology.
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Indocin
Ibuprofen is a drug that can reduce pain and fever. It belongs to a class of drugs called NSAIDs.
Indomethacin is a drug that reduces pain and swelling. It belongs to a class of drugs called NSAIDs.
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.
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.
Ibuprofen works by reducing hormones that cause pain and swelling in the body. It blocks the production of prostaglandins. Prostaglandins contribute to inflammation and pain signals.
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.
- • Nausea
- • Headache
- • Diarrhea
- • Vomiting
- • Dizziness
- • Headache
- • Dizziness
- • Upset stomach
- • Nausea
- Drug not working 24,339
- Pain 18,851
- Tiredness 17,869
- Feeling sick to your stomach 17,349
- Headache 15,814
- The medicine is not working 1,369
- Feeling tired 1,102
- Joint pain 1,002
- Head pain 990
- Using the medicine for a different purpose than approved 939
NSAIDs like ibuprofen may increase the risk of serious cardiovascular thrombotic events, myocardial infarction, and stroke, which can be fatal. This risk may increase with duration of use. NSAIDs also increase the risk of serious gastrointestinal adverse events including bleeding, ulceration, and perforation of the stomach or intestines, which can be fatal.
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 a doctor before using if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. NSAIDs like ibuprofen may cause harm to the fetus.
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.
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How to Read This ibuprofen vs indomethacin Comparison
ibuprofen is classified in the Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug (NSAID) drug class, while indomethacin sits within the Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug (NSAID) class. Because both drugs share the same classification, they are often considered interchangeable in theory — but clinical outcomes rarely track that cleanly. 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, ibuprofen has 94,222 submissions while indomethacin has 5,402. Those figures reflect cumulative reporting volume — not per-patient risk — so older, widely dispensed drugs typically look worse on count alone. No direct interaction between these two drugs is listed in our FDA-derived dataset, though co-prescription still warrants pharmacist review. Serious warnings, pregnancy guidance, and contraindications can differ even when indications overlap.
A table cannot substitute for clinical judgment. Effectiveness, tolerability, drug-drug interactions with your other medications, kidney and liver function, pregnancy status, insurance formulary, and price all feed into a decision that only a licensed prescriber can make responsibly. Data here is sourced from FDA Structured Product Labels (SPL) and FAERS, both of which update as manufacturers and clinicians submit new information. This page is for educational purposes only, is not medical advice, and should not be used to self-switch between ibuprofen and indomethacin — always consult your physician or pharmacist first.
Important: This comparison is for informational purposes only. Drug effects vary between individuals. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist for personalized medical advice.