The preparation and clinical applications of indomethacin (IM) gel were investigated in the treatment of stomatitis resulting from chemotherapy and radiotherapy for cancer. IM gel was prepared by adding various water-soluble polymers [hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC), etc.] to IM aqueous solution. The release rate of IM from IM gels was found to decrease with increasing polymer concentration and viscosity and to follow a first-order reaction rate equation. The release rate of IM from the IM gel with HPC was decreased gradually with increasing polymer concentration and to be easily controllable compared with gels with other polymers. The time before pain relief occurred after application of the IM gel was slightly shorter and the duration of pain relief was longer compared with the IM aqueous solution. It was confirmed that IM gel is useful in the treatment of stomatitis.
