Two medicines, side by side
Indomethacin vs prednisone
Indomethacin and prednisone are both labeled for osteoarthritis. Drugs@FDA records approvals of indomethacin since 1965 and of prednisone since 1955. Pharmacies paid $0.210 per indomethacin ER 75 mg capsule and $0.0643 per prednisone 20 mg tablet (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like. In FDA's classes, indomethacin is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug and prednisone a corticosteroid.
Check it at the source: the indomethacin FDA label on DailyMed (effective December 19, 2025); the prednisone FDA label on DailyMed (effective April 22, 2025).
Highlights of the indomethacin record
Indomethacin (Indocin) · label of December 19, 2025
RISK OF SERIOUS CARDIOVASCULAR AND GASTROINTESTINAL EVENTS WARNING: RISK OF SERIOUS CARDIOVASCULAR AND GASTROINTESTINAL EVENTS See full prescribing information for complete boxed warning.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) cause an increased risk of serious cardiovascular thrombotic events, including myocardial infarction and stroke, which can be fatal.
Used for
From the label: indicationsIndomethacin capsules are indicated for: • Moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis including acute flares of chronic disease • Moderate to severe ankylosing spondylitis • Moderate to severe osteoarthritis • Acute painful shoulder (bursitis and/or tendinitis) • Acute gouty arthritis Indomethacin capsules are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug indicated for: • Moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis including acute […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- June 10, 1965
- Generic labelers
- 31 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.210 per capsule
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 9
Highlights of the prednisone record
Prednisone (Meticorten) · label of April 22, 2025
Used for
From the label: indicationsPrednisone tablets and solutions are indicated in the following conditions: 1. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- February 21, 1955
- Generic labelers
- 45 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.0643 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 10
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Indomethacin label of December 19, 2025, Prednisone label of April 22, 2025); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do indomethacin and prednisone differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, indomethacin is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug and prednisone a corticosteroid.
Only the indomethacin label carries a boxed warning.
Generics: indomethacin since 1985; prednisone since 1971 (Drugs@FDA).
| Indomethacin | Prednisone | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Rheumatoid arthritis, Osteoarthritis | Osteoarthritis, Asthma, Allergies, Herpes and shingles, Leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, Multiple sclerosis, Eczema (atopic dermatitis), Anemia, Organ transplant rejection |
| Pharmacologic class | Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drug | Corticosteroid |
| How it works (label) | Indomethacin has analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and antipyretic properties. The mechanism of action of indomethacin capsules, like that of other NSAIDs, is not completely understood but involves inhibition of cyclooxygenase (COX-1 and … | n/a |
| Half-life (label) | The mean half-life of indomethacin is estimated to be about 4.5 hours. | n/a |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | June 10, 1965 | February 21, 1955 |
| First generic approved | September 4, 1985 | December 23, 1971 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 31 labelers | 45 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.210 per capsule (Indomethacin ER 75 mg capsule) | $0.0643 per tablet (Prednisone 20 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -1% | -15% |
| Boxed warning | Yes | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 9 | 10 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 13,174 | 499,950 |
| DEA schedule | none | none |
Source: Drugs@FDA, FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026, FDA shortages and recalls, FAERS via openFDA (FDA files October 8, 2026)
What do the labels say about using others of their kind?
Indomethacin label, drug interactionsConcomitant use of indomethacin with other NSAIDs or salicylates (e.g., diflunisal, salsalate) increases the risk of GI toxicity, with little or no increase in efficacy [ see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 ) ].
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA
What next?
- Alternatives to indomethacin
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions