Indomethacin as prophylaxis against recurrent ureteral colic

In a prospective, randomized study, the prophylactic effect of indomethacin (150 mg daily) in regard to recurrence of ureteral colic was investigated in 78 patients. Severe recurrent attacks were experienced in 78 patients. Severe recurrent attacks were experienced by 4 of 37 patients in the test group and by 16 of the 41 controls without indomethacin. The mean duration of recurrent pain including the severe attacks was 5.6 +/- 1.1 hour/patient/week in the test group and 12.5 +/- 2.9 in the control group. Passage of stone within 7 days was not influenced by indomethacin (22/37 and 25/41 cases). Indomethacin administration for 7 days after an acute attack of ureteral colic thus reduced the frequency of severe attacks and the total duration of recurrent pain, without influencing the stone passage.