Indometacin, also known as indomethacin, is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) commonly used as a prescription medication to reduce fever, pain, stiffness, and swelling from inflammation. It works by inhibiting the production of prostaglandins, endogenous signaling molecules known to cause these symptoms. It does this by inhibiting cyclooxygenase, an enzyme that catalyzes the production of prostaglandins.It was patented in 1961 and approved for medical use in 1963. It is on the World Health Organizations List of Essential Medicines. It is marketed under more than twelve different trade names. In 2017, it was the 291st most commonly prescribed medication in the United States, with more than one million prescriptions. Medical uses
As an NSAID, indometacin is an analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and antipyretic.
Indometacin readily crosses the placenta and can reduce fetal urine production to treat polyhydramnios. It does so by reducing renal blood flow and increasing renal vascular resistance, possibly by enhancing the effects of vasopressin on the fetal kidneys. Other modes of action for indometacin are:

it inhibits motility of polymorphonuclear leukocytes, similar to colchicine
it uncouples oxidative phosphorylation in cartilaginous (and hepatic) mitochondria, like salicylates
it has been found to specifically inhibit MRP (multidrug resistance proteins) in murine and human cells

Nomenclature
Indometacin is the INN, BAN, and JAN of the drug while indomethacin is the USAN, and former AAN and BAN. See also
Indometacin farnesil
Indometacin morpholinylamide
Pravadoline
GW-405,833

References
External links
Effects of Perinatal Indomethacin Treatment on Preterm Infants, academic dissertation (PDF)
Indomethacin, from MedicineNet
Indomethacin, from Drugs.com
Indocin: Description, chemistry, ingredients, from RxList.com