Comparative Pharmacology
Head-to-head clinical analysis: INDOCIN versus NAPROSYN.
Peer-Reviewed Evidence
Head-to-head clinical analysis: INDOCIN versus NAPROSYN.
INDOCIN vs NAPROSYN
Comparing the clinical profiles, pharmacokinetic behaviors, and safety indices of these two therapeutic agents.
Indomethacin is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that inhibits cyclooxygenase (COX-1 and COX-2) enzymes, thereby reducing prostaglandin synthesis, which mediates inflammation, pain, and fever. It also decreases renal blood flow and may cause ductus arteriosus closure.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that inhibits cyclooxygenase (COX-1 and COX-2) enzymes, thereby reducing prostaglandin synthesis. This results in decreased inflammation, pain, and fever.
25 mg orally 2-3 times daily; maximum 200 mg/day. Intravenous: 0.5-1 mg/kg as single dose for ductus arteriosus closure.
250-500 mg orally twice daily; maximum 1500 mg/day. For extended-release: 750-1000 mg orally once daily.
None Documented
None Documented
Terminal elimination half-life approximately 4.5 hours (range 2.6–11.2 hours); prolonged in elderly and patients with hepatic impairment.
Terminal elimination half-life is 12-17 hours. This long half-life allows twice-daily dosing, but may lead to drug accumulation in elderly or renally impaired patients.
Renal (60% as unchanged drug and glucuronide conjugates), biliary/fecal (33% via enterohepatic circulation).
Renal excretion of conjugated metabolites accounts for approximately 95% of a dose, with 1-2% as unchanged naproxen. Fecal excretion is minimal (<5%).
Category C
Category C
NSAID
NSAID