The Effect Of Indomethacin (Indocid) With Rodents And Human

Indomethacin kills Rodent

Indomethacin, also known as induced, is a Non Steroidal Antiinflammatory Drug (NSAID). It is indicated for mild to moderate pain, arthritis, gout and other similar conditions. The drug is available in capsule, suspension and capsule extended release form.

The drug is common in Nigeria. However, not for its anti-inflammatory activities. The reason is that it has numerous and dangerous side effects link with it. The side effects increase with age and not even considered in children less than 14 years of age.

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The popularity of indocid is linked with its rodenticide activity. How come a drug for inflammation suddenly be dangerous to a rodent? Now we must not forget that studies of drugs normally begin with rodents. So if indeed is good for humans then why the dangers to a rodent? To understand, let us look at its mechanism of action (how it works) and some of its side effects in human then we may understand what goes on with the rodents.
Mechanism Of Action Of Indocid
Indomethacin is a potent inhibitor of cyclooxygenase (COX) 1 and 2. It uncouples oxidative phosphorylation at supratherapeutic concentration and depresses the biosynthesis of mucopolysaccharide.
Side Effects
Indomethacin when taken over a long period of time, or in a single large dose have negative effects on the kidney, clotting of blood and gastrointestinal bleeding. Medication that inhibits COX 1 is more prone to have these negative side effects. The level of inhibition varies from one drug to another. However, indomethacin has a high level of inhibition compared to other anti-inflammatory drugs. In other words, indomethacin can lead to ulcer even at a therapeutic dose over a long period of time or when overdose. However, there are other side effects not listed here.

Indomethacin (indocid)

Effects On Rodents
A very cheap means of killing rodents is the use of indocid. Open the capsule, pour the content within a food suitable for the rodents. By the time they are done eating, they die off within two days. The only disadvantage is the time of action of which most persons prefer the less than an hour action common with atapiapia. But not bad for the price.
I have read and heard that the reason Indocid is poisonous to rodents is that the content was exposed to air before the rat ate the food. It is believed that if humans consume it that way it will produce a same toxic result of death. However, with my little research and search, I did not find any academic article to back up this claim. However, most rumours can be true if a research has been done on it. For now, the explanation is different.
Before a drug is given to humans, a scientist tests them on Rodents with different doses. These doses are further titrated to human doses. So the dose a human that weighs more can take is not the same dose a rodent can take. However, most people who use this rodenticide buy some capsule, mix it with a very small quantity of food and send it to the rodents to consume. Haba, that is an overdose. According to a research, the minimum dose where indeed act as a rodenticide is from 13.4kg/kg for mice and 21mg/kg for rats. Anything short of that, you may be helping the rodent treat it's pain if it has any. Lesser doses act as an anti-inflammatory.
So what happens when these rodents consume an overdose of this drug? Simple. Indocid inhibits the synthesis of prostaglandins, an agent that acts as a cytoprotective agent on gastric mucosa. It is also suggested that it could be due to necrosis of gastric mucosa cells. Another school of thought believe that the high dose concentration of Indocid in the blood of rodents that died from its toxicity leads to uncoupling of endothelial cells DNA which will lead to cell death, vascular damage, thrombosis and tissue/organ ischaemia and necrosis.
Another action of induced is that it prevents platelets from working chance prevent a blood clot. It could be linked with vitamin K deletion.

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The stomach of rodents that died from consuming Indocid was stained with blood. This shows that they all suffered from gastrointestinal bleeding which correlates with the above explanation. This leads to body weakness. The weakness thus prevents the animal from getting water which could help neutralise the effect. Since the blood could not clot, the bleeding will take a long time. This cause dehydration and subsequent death.
What happens to humans who took an overdose? Your guess is as good as mine. Well, no reasonable scientist will want to try that out and nobody will allow another to use them for such an experiment, we already know the same thing will happen to humans. Funny enough this drug is classified as OTC. A little above the therapeutic index can cause all these problems. However, for humans to combat the negative side effects, a proton pump inhibitor is given alongside indomethacin. Proton pump inhibitor protects the gastrointestinal tract from the harmful effects of NSAIDs.
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