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indomethacin vs warfarin

Side-by-side comparison of indomethacin and warfarin. Data from FDA drug databases (Orange Book, NDC Directory, recalls, shortages) covering 20,000+ approved drugs, plus CMS pricing; see our methodology.

moderate Known Drug Interaction

Table 3: Drugs that Can Increase the Risk of Bleeding Drug Class Specific Drugs Anticoagulants argatroban, dabigatran, bivalirudin, desirudin, heparin, lepirudin Antiplatelet Agents aspirin, cilostazol, clopidogrel, dipyridamole, prasugrel, ticlopidine Non-steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Agents celecoxib, diclofenac, diflunisal, fenoprofen, ibuprofen, indomethacin, ketoprofen, ketorolac, mefenamic acid, naproxen, oxaprozin, piroxicam, sulindac Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors citalopram, desvenlafaxine, duloxetine, escitalopram, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, milnacipran, paroxetine, sertraline,...

Recommendation: Monitor yourself closely for any unusual bleeding or bruising. Your healthcare provider should perform regular blood tests to ensure your blood does not become too thin.

Drug Class
indomethacin Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug (NSAID)
warfarin Vitamin K Antagonist (Anticoagulant)
Type
indomethacin Prescription
warfarin Prescription
Summary
indomethacin

Indomethacin is a drug that reduces pain and swelling. It belongs to a class of drugs called NSAIDs.

warfarin

Warfarin is a medicine that helps prevent blood clots. It is used to treat and prevent dangerous clots from forming in your body.

What It Treats
indomethacin

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.

warfarin

Warfarin is used to prevent and treat blood clots in your veins and lungs. It can also prevent clots if you have atrial fibrillation (irregular heartbeat) or a replacement heart valve. After a heart attack, it can lower the risk of death, another heart attack, or a stroke.

How It Works
indomethacin

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.

warfarin

Warfarin works by blocking your body's use of vitamin K. Vitamin K is needed to make blood clotting factors. By blocking vitamin K, warfarin makes your blood less likely to clot.

Common Side Effects
indomethacin
  • Headache
  • Dizziness
  • Upset stomach
  • Nausea
warfarin
  • Bleeding from any tissue or organ
FAERS Reports
indomethacin
  • Feeling tired 1,102
  • Joint pain 1,002
  • Head pain 990
  • Aches or soreness 921
  • Feeling sick to your stomach 907
warfarin
  • INR increased 10,275
  • Shortness of breath 8,408
  • Interaction with another medicine 6,289
  • Tiredness 6,141
  • Feeling sick to your stomach 5,921
Serious Warnings
indomethacin

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.

warfarin

Warfarin can cause major or fatal bleeding. You must have your blood tested regularly (INR) while taking warfarin. Many things, like other medicines and diet changes, can affect your INR. Tell your doctor about any bleeding and follow their instructions to prevent bleeding.

Pregnancy
indomethacin

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.

warfarin

Warfarin can harm your unborn baby, especially during the first three months of pregnancy. Do not take warfarin if you are pregnant, unless you have a mechanical heart valve and your doctor says the benefits outweigh the risks. Talk to your doctor if you are breastfeeding, and watch your baby for bruising or bleeding.

Also Compare, Nearby Drugs

How to Read This indomethacin vs warfarin Comparison

indomethacin is classified in the Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug (NSAID) drug class, while warfarin sits within the Vitamin K Antagonist (Anticoagulant) class. Drugs from different classes work through distinct mechanisms, so a head-to-head comparison illustrates trade-offs rather than equivalence. Both drugs are prescription-only, so a licensed provider must authorize use.

Adverse event totals above are pulled from the FDA's Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). For these top-ranked reactions alone, indomethacin has 4,922 submissions while warfarin has 37,034. 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 moderate interaction flagged in FDA labeling, attributed to indomethacin can irritate the stomach and slow down blood clotting. when combined with warfarin, these effects add up and significantly raise your chance of bleeding.. 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 indomethacin and warfarin - 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.