Indomethacin Reduces Narcotic Use by 40%.

KAMUELA, HAWAII -- Regular administration of indomethacin rectal suppositories reduced narcotic use by almost 40% in postoperative cesarean section patients treated in an Idaho community hospital, Dr. Frederick P. Ambrose reported.

Dr. Ambrose, one of six obstetricians who oversee more than 100 births a month at Kootenai Medical Center in Coeur d'Alene, said the novel approach to postoperative analgesia was introduced to the hospital several years ago by one colleague who heard about its efficacy at a meeting.

The obstetricians agreed to use indomethacin in appropriate patients based on three factors: First, perinatologists at the hospital already were freely using indomethacin in neonates. Second, pediatricians were comfortable using ibuprofen, a related nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug. And, finally, the American Academy of Pediatrics had approved indomethacin as being usually compatible with breast-feeding, Dr. Ambrose said at the annual meeting of the Pacific Coast Obstetrical and Gynecological Society.

After 46 months, a chart review was conducted comparing 118 women who did not receive indomethacin with 179 women who did receive the medication after nonernergency cesarean sections were performed under regional anesthesia. When ...