Dear doctor;

I have been having pain in the groin for some three days now and someone recommended that I buy indocid tablets on the counter. It’s first time I am hearing of indocid. Is it a painkiller?

Nina, 23.

Dear Nina,

Indocid is indeed a pain killer. It is a non-steroidal anti inflammatory drug. Although it reduces pain and swelling, it is not entirely safe. Indocid can cause severe allergic reaction,  precipitation and aggravation of asthma in those who are susceptible to it. It also carries risk of aggravation of thromboembolic events and can precipitate myocardial infarction, that is to say, a heart attack. Therefore, it is not used in surgeries related to coronary arteries.

Consumption of tablets of indocid causes irritation of the inner lining of gastrointestinal tract, that is, food pipe, stomach and first half of duodenum, resulting in inflammation and ulcers over a time. Once this develops, a person can have burning pain  in stomach or chest with or without vomiting of bitter yellow liquid (bile). If this persists there is risk of developing cancer of the stomach. Chronic use of Indocid harms the kidneys and can result in kidney failure. Those with other risk factors for kidney failure like hypertension and or diabetes are more prone to it.

Groin swelling occurs due to many reasons. At your age it can be simply a chronic lymph node enlargement due to a local infection in pelvic or urinary parts which may be sexually acquired. Infection in legs or feet can also cause swelling in groin. Sometimes it may be due to a hernia, varicose veins, cystic hygroma, abscess or rarely tuberculosis. Diagnosis of the cause of the swelling and treatment of underlying cause will definitely help in complete cure.