ABSTRACT
Indomethacin is an indole derivative and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) with anti-inflammatory activity and chemopreventive properties. It inhibits the enzyme cyclooxygenase, which is necessary for the formation of prostaglandins. Indomethacin may also inhibit the expression of multidrug-resistant protein type 1, resulting in increased efficacies of some antineoplastic agents in treating multi-drug resistant tumors. In Germany, before 1998, 371 consecutive patients suspected of contact dermatitis were patch tested with indomethacin 5% pet. and there were 2 (0.5%) positive reactions. In the period 2004–2005, in a Spanish multicenter study performing photopatch testing, one relevant positive photopatch tests was observed to indomethacin 10% pet. It was not mentioned how many patients had been tested with this chemical. A patient sensitized to benzydamine may have cross-reacted to indomethacin; both are indolacetic acid derivatives.
