Naproxen

💊 What is Naproxen used for?

• •Relief of signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis
• •Relief of signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis
• •Relief of signs and symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis
• •Relief of signs and symptoms of polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis
• •Relief of signs and symptoms of tendonitis and bursitis
• •Relief of signs and symptoms of acute gout
• •Management of pain
• •Management of primary dysmenorrhea (painful menstrual cramps)

How it works

How it is usually taken

• •The label says naproxen is taken by mouth. The label says to use the lowest effective dose for the shortest time that meets the treatment goals. The dose may be changed based on how the patient responds. Naproxen sodium is described as useful for acute painful conditions when fast pain relief is wanted. The label says naproxen products should not be used together, because they all circulate in the body as the same active form. Follow the instructions from your prescriber or pharmacist.

Comes as

• •Naproxen tablets, USP 250 mg (light orange, circular, flat, uncoated)
• •Naproxen tablets, USP 375 mg (light orange, oval, uncoated)
• •Naproxen tablets, USP 500 mg (light orange, capsule-shaped, uncoated)
• •Naproxen sodium tablets, USP 275 mg (blue, oval, film-coated)
• •Naproxen sodium tablets, USP 550 mg (blue, film-coated)

⚠️ Naproxen side effects

🛑 Who should not take Naproxen, and who should be careful

The label says not to take it if

• 🚨You are allergic to naproxen or any ingredient in the product.
• 🚨You have had an asthma attack, hives, or another allergic-type reaction after taking aspirin or another NSAID.
• 🚨You are right before or after coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) heart surgery.
• 🚨You have had a recent heart attack. The label says to avoid it unless your healthcare provider tells you to take it.
• 🚨You are about 30 weeks pregnant or later. The label says to avoid naproxen at this stage of pregnancy.

Tell your doctor before taking it if

• •Tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, especially liver or kidney problems, high blood pressure, or asthma.
• •Tell your provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
• •Tell your provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.
• •Tell your provider about all medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
• •The label says not to start any new medicine without talking to your healthcare provider first.
• •The label says that if you have had an asthma attack, hives, or another allergic reaction with aspirin or any other NSAID, you should not take this medicine.

🔀 Naproxen with other medicines, food and alcohol

The label says to discuss these with your doctor or pharmacist

• •Anticoagulants such as warfarin: the label says these can increase the risk of serious bleeding when used with naproxen.
• •Antiplatelet drugs such as aspirin: the label says these can increase the risk of bleeding and of stomach problems.
• •Low-dose aspirin taken for heart protection: the label says naproxen may interfere with its protective effect, so your provider may suggest a different pain reliever.
• •SSRIs and SNRIs (certain antidepressants): the label says these can increase the risk of bleeding when used with an NSAID.
• •Corticosteroids: the label says the risk of stomach ulcers or bleeding increases when taken with NSAIDs.
• •Some blood pressure medicines: the label says they may work less well when taken with NSAIDs, so blood pressure should be monitored.
• •Other naproxen products: the label says they should not be used at the same time.

Alcohol and food

The label says that drinking alcohol increases the risk of stomach ulcers and bleeding while taking an NSAID. The label text provided does not give specific instructions about taking naproxen with food.

🤰 Naproxen in pregnancy and breastfeeding

Pregnancy

The label says NSAIDs can cause problems for an unborn baby after about 20 weeks of pregnancy. Between about 20 and 30 weeks, the dose and length of use should be limited. The label says to avoid naproxen at about 30 weeks of pregnancy and later, because of risks such as early closure of a blood vessel in the baby's heart and kidney problems. The label says data on risks in the first and second trimesters are inconclusive. Talk with your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or may become pregnant.

Breastfeeding

The label says to tell your healthcare provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. The label text provided does not give further details about breastfeeding.

🗓️ Storage, missed doses and taking too much

Storage

The label text provided does not list storage temperatures or conditions. It lists packaging as tablets in bottles. Follow the storage instructions on your pharmacy label.

If a dose is missed

The label does not say.

If too much is taken

The label says that too much NSAID may cause lethargy, drowsiness, nausea, vomiting, and stomach pain, and that stomach bleeding can occur. Rare effects include high blood pressure, acute kidney failure, slowed breathing, and coma. A few patients have had seizures, though it is unclear if the drug caused them. The label says that if you take too much, call your healthcare provider or get medical help right away.

🗒️ Questions to ask about Naproxen

• Is my heart or stroke risk affected by naproxen, given my health history?
• What is the lowest dose and shortest time I should use this medicine for my condition?
• Should I avoid any pain relievers, such as aspirin or other NSAIDs, while taking naproxen?
• Could naproxen affect my blood pressure or my kidney or liver health?
• What should I do if I have stomach pain, black stools, or vomiting blood?
• Are there any signs that mean I should stop taking naproxen and call you?
• Is it safe for me to take naproxen if I am pregnant or breastfeeding?

❓ Naproxen: frequently asked questions