Comparative Pharmacology
Head-to-head clinical analysis: INDOCIN versus NAPROXEN SODIUM.
Peer-Reviewed Evidence
Head-to-head clinical analysis: INDOCIN versus NAPROXEN SODIUM.
INDOCIN vs NAPROXEN SODIUM
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.
Non-selective cyclooxygenase (COX-1 and COX-2) inhibitor, reducing prostaglandin synthesis.
25 mg orally 2-3 times daily; maximum 200 mg/day. Intravenous: 0.5-1 mg/kg as single dose for ductus arteriosus closure.
220-550 mg orally twice daily; maximum 1375 mg/day.
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.
12–17 hours (terminal); allows twice-daily dosing; prolonged in elderly and renal impairment
Renal (60% as unchanged drug and glucuronide conjugates), biliary/fecal (33% via enterohepatic circulation).
Renal: 95% (as unchanged drug, conjugated naproxen, and 6-O-desmethyl naproxen); Fecal: <5%
Category C
Category D/X
NSAID
NSAID