Betacin contains indometacin 25 mg, a potent anti-inflammatory. It is used for gout flares, ankylosing spondylitis, rheumatoid and osteoarthritis, bursitis and tendonitis — conditions where inflammation is the main problem. It is harder on the stomach than most anti-inflammatories.
What is Betacin?
Betacin contains indometacin 25 mg — also spelled indomethacin — a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug. It is a Schedule 3 medicine, and the same ingredient is sold as Arthrexin and Flamaret.
Indometacin blocks cyclo-oxygenase enzymes, reducing the prostaglandins that produce inflammation, swelling and pain. Those same prostaglandins protect the stomach lining and support kidney blood flow — which is where its risks come from.
What distinguishes indometacin is potency. It is a notably strong anti-inflammatory, and for a few specific conditions — gout flares and ankylosing spondylitis in particular — that strength makes it a first choice rather than a fallback.
The trade-off is real and worth stating plainly. Indometacin is among the harsher NSAIDs on the stomach, and it causes central nervous system effects — particularly headache and dizziness — considerably more often than others in the class. It is not the anti-inflammatory to reach for when a gentler one would do the job.
That is why it is dispensed as 25 mg: a smaller unit allows the amount to be titrated to what is actually needed rather than committing to a large dose.
What is Betacin commonly used for?
Betacin is prescribed where inflammation, rather than pain alone, is the problem:
- Gout flares, where indometacin is a long-standing first-line choice for its speed and strength.
- Ankylosing spondylitis, inflammatory arthritis of the spine, where it is particularly effective.
- Rheumatoid arthritis, for symptom control alongside disease-modifying treatment.
- Osteoarthritis, in more severe or inflammatory cases.
- Bursitis and tendonitis — inflamed bursae, shoulders and tendons.
- Acute musculoskeletal inflammation after injury.
Note what is absent: everyday headache, mild aches, ordinary fever. For those, paracetamol or a gentler NSAID such as ibuprofen is more appropriate — indometacin’s risk profile only makes sense where its strength is genuinely needed.
For gout, be clear about what it does. It treats the flare, settling the acute attack. It does nothing to prevent the next one. Preventing future attacks means lowering uric acid, usually with allopurinol, and that is a separate long-term conversation with your doctor. People often treat flare after flare for years without ever addressing the underlying cause.
How Betacin fits into this medicine category
| Group | Examples | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Simple analgesics | Paracetamol (Donapan) | Pain and fever; minimal anti-inflammatory action |
| Standard NSAIDs | Ibuprofen, diclofenac, naproxen | Anti-inflammatory; stomach and kidney cautions |
| Potent NSAIDs | Indometacin (Betacin, Arthrexin) | Stronger; more stomach and CNS effects |
| COX-2 selective | Meloxicam (Melzy 7), celecoxib (Celebrex) | Gentler on the stomach |
| Corticosteroids | Prednisone | Far stronger; short courses or injection |
Prescribers choose along that range according to how much anti-inflammatory effect is needed against how much risk a person can carry. See the pain, inflammation and musculoskeletal medicines hub.
What to check before using Betacin
Always take it with food, and take it for the shortest period that controls the problem.
Never combine it with another anti-inflammatory, including over-the-counter ibuprofen and combination painkillers such as Mybulen.
Speak to your prescriber or pharmacist if:
- You have a history of stomach ulcers, bleeding, reflux or gastritis. Indometacin has a higher ulcer risk than most NSAIDs, and many people on it are also given a stomach-protecting medicine.
- You have kidney disease, or become dehydrated easily.
- You have heart disease, heart failure, high blood pressure, or have had a stroke.
- You have asthma.
- You have epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease or a psychiatric condition — indometacin can worsen these.
- You take blood thinners, low-dose aspirin, a corticosteroid, an SSRI antidepressant, lithium, methotrexate, a diuretic or an ACE inhibitor.
- You are pregnant or breastfeeding.
- You are over 65, where stomach, kidney and confusion risks are all higher.
Follow the dispensing label. This page does not set doses.
Possible cautions and when to ask a pharmacist or doctor
Stomach. Indometacin carries a real risk of ulceration and bleeding, which can occur without preceding pain. If you have been prescribed a stomach-protecting medicine alongside it, take it — it is not optional.
Headache and dizziness. These are common with indometacin specifically, more so than with other NSAIDs, and can be pronounced enough to interfere with normal activity. Report them; a different anti-inflammatory may suit you better. This is a recognised reason people abandon the medicine, and a switch usually solves it.
Kidneys. Function can decline, particularly in older people, when dehydrated, or on blood-pressure medicines. During an illness with vomiting or diarrhoea, ask whether to pause it.
Heart. NSAIDs as a group are associated with increased cardiovascular risk with regular use.
Do not drive until you know how it affects you.
Do not use it for everyday pain. Its profile only justifies itself where a strong anti-inflammatory is needed.
Seek medical attention for stomach pain, vomiting blood or material resembling coffee grounds, black tarry stools, severe or persistent headache, marked dizziness or confusion, visual disturbance, breathlessness, chest pain, one-sided weakness, significantly reduced urine, marked leg swelling, or a blistering rash.
Related medicine guides
- Browse Pain, Inflammation & Musculoskeletal Medicines guides
- Read: Prednisone used for
- Read: Donapan used for
Frequently asked questions
What is Betacin 25 mg used for? Inflammatory conditions — gout flares, ankylosing spondylitis, rheumatoid and osteoarthritis, bursitis and tendonitis. It contains indometacin.
Is it the same as Arthrexin? Yes. Both are brands of indometacin. The manufacturer differs.
Is it stronger than ibuprofen? Indometacin is a more potent anti-inflammatory, which is why it is used for gout and ankylosing spondylitis. It also causes more stomach and nervous system effects.
Why does it give me a headache? Headache and dizziness are recognised effects of indometacin specifically. Report them — another NSAID may suit you better.
Does it cure gout? No. It treats the flare. Preventing future attacks means lowering uric acid, usually with allopurinol.
Can I take it for a normal headache or backache? It is not the right choice. Its risk profile only makes sense where a strong anti-inflammatory is genuinely needed.