Treatment of ureteral colic with intravenous indomethacin

A randomized prospective double-blind study of the analgesic effect of 50 mg. intravenous indomethacin, a prostaglandin synthesis inhibitor, was done on 47 consecutive patients with acute ureteral colic. The placebo used was 5 mg. intravenous riboflavin because of the same color as indomethacin. Indomethacin provided complete relief in 78 per cent of the cases, while riboflavin provided relief in 30 per cent. The difference is statistically significant. No side effects were observed with indomethacin.