Indometacin is a potent non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) belonging to the indoleacetic acid derivative class. It is primarily used for its anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic properties and acts by inhibiting cyclooxygenase enzymes involved in prostaglandin synthesis.
Indometacin is used in pharmaceutical formulations for the management of various inflammatory and painful musculoskeletal conditions, as well as selected rheumatological and acute inflammatory disorders.
Indometacin is a synthetic pharmaceutical API requiring controlled manufacturing, purification and analytical characterization. Quality control generally focuses on identity, assay, related substances, residual solvents, water content, elemental impurities and stability-related degradation products.
CAS Number: 53-86-1
Molecular Formula: C19H16ClNO4
Molecular Weight: 357.79 g/mol
Chemical Name: Indometacin
Drug Class: Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug
Pharmacological Class: Cyclooxygenase Inhibitor
Therapeutic Class: Anti-inflammatory / Analgesic
Therapeutic Area: Rheumatology / Musculoskeletal Disorders
Indometacin inhibits cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes, particularly COX-1 and COX-2, which catalyze the conversion of arachidonic acid into prostaglandin precursors.
Reduced prostaglandin synthesis decreases inflammatory signaling and contributes to the drug's anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic effects.
Indometacin is used in pharmaceutical products for selected conditions including:
Specific indications and formulations depend on applicable regulatory approvals.
Indometacin is recognized as a potent NSAID and has historically been used where significant anti-inflammatory activity is required. Its pharmacological activity is primarily related to suppression of prostaglandin synthesis through COX inhibition.
Indometacin is a synthetic indole derivative containing chlorine, nitrogen and oxygen functional groups. It is generally supplied as a crystalline solid and exhibits limited aqueous solubility.
Its physicochemical properties are important considerations in formulation development, dissolution testing and analytical method development.
Indometacin API quality evaluation may include:
Indometacin should be stored in a tightly closed container under controlled pharmaceutical conditions and protected from excessive moisture, heat and direct light. Final storage conditions should follow validated stability data.
Indometacin is relevant to pharmaceutical research involving:
Indometacin is a potent non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug with CAS Number 53-86-1, molecular formula C19H16ClNO4, and molecular weight 357.79 g/mol. It inhibits cyclooxygenase enzymes and reduces prostaglandin synthesis, providing anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic effects.
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Appearance | White to off-white crystalline powder |
| Identification | IR & HPLC compliant |
| Assay (HPLC) | 98.0% – 102.0% |
| Loss on Drying | NMT 1.0% |
| Residue on Ignition | NMT 0.1% |
| Heavy Metals | NMT 20 ppm |
| Individual Impurity | NMT 1.0% |
| Total Impurities | NMT 2.0% |
| Water Content | NMT 1.0% |
| Melting Point | 150–154°C |