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Naproxen
Naproxen
Pronunciation
(na PROKS en)
Brand Names
Aleve®[OTC]; Anaprox®; Naprosyn®
Canadian/Mexican Brand Names
Apo-Naproxen® (Canada); Atiflan (Mexico); Atiquim® (Mexico); Dafloxen® (Mexico);
Faraxen (Mexico); Flanax (Mexico); Flexen (Mexico); Flogen (Mexico); Fuxen
(Mexico); Naprodil (Mexico); Naxen® (Canada); Naxen® (Mexico); Naxil (Mexico);
Novo-Naprox (Canada); Nu-Naprox (Canada); Pactens (Mexico); Pronaxil (Mexico);
Supradol® (Mexico); Velsay® (Mexico)
Therapeutic Categories
Analgesic, Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drug; Anti-inflammatory Agent;
Antimigraine Agent; Antipyretic; Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drug (NSAID),
Oral
What is this medicine used for?
- This medicine is used for the treatment of mild to moderate pain,
inflammation, and fever; rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and juvenile
forms of arthritis; acute gout; dysmenorrhea; migraine headache; premenstrual
syndrome; and ankylosing spondylitis.
How does it work?
- Naproxen reduces inflammation and pain. It blocks production and release of
chemicals that cause pain and inflammation. Naproxen controls fever. It adjusts
your body's thermostat.
How is it best taken?
- Take with or without food. Take with food if this medicine causes an upset
stomach.
- Swallow sustained-release tablet whole. Do not chew, break, or crush.
- A liquid (suspension) is available if you cannot swallow pills. Those who
have feeding tubes can also use the liquid. Flush the feeding tube before and
after medicine is given. Shake well first.
What do I do if I miss a dose?
- Take a missed dose as soon as possible.
- If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed one. Return to your
regular schedule.
- Many times this medicine is taken on an as needed basis.
What are the precautions when taking this
medicine?
- Avoid alcohol (includes wine, beer, and liquor). Can cause increases in
stomach irritation.
- If you have had a stomach ulcer or bleeding, tell healthcare provider.
- Use caution if you have kidney disease. Talk with healthcare provider.
- Use caution if you have a weakened heart. May cause increased shortness of
breath or weight gain. Talk with healthcare provider.
- Use caution if you have high blood pressure. Your blood pressure may
increase. Talk with healthcare provider.
- Avoid aspirin, aspirin-containing products, other pain medicines, other
blood thinners (warfarin, ticlopidine, clopidogrel), garlic, ginseng, ginkgo,
and vitamin E while taking this medicine. Talk with healthcare provider.
- You will have a tendency to bleed more easily. Tell dentists, surgeons, and
other healthcare providers about this medicine. You may be instructed to stop
this medication for a while before any procedure. Ask for specific instructions
about the time for stopping and restarting.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine, especially
aspirin. Make sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This
includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing;
cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, throat; or any other symptoms involved.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are breast-feeding.
What are the common side effects of this
medicine?
- Feeling sleepy or unable to think clearly. Avoid driving, doing other tasks
or hobbies that require you to be alert until you see how this medicine affects
you.
- Belly pain, heartburn, cramps, gas.
- Constipation. More liquids, regular exercise, or a fiber-containing diet
may help. Talk to healthcare provider about a stool softener or laxative.
- Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking hard
candy, or chewing gum may help.
- Stomach bleeding or ulceration. Watch stools for dark, tarry black color.
Talk with healthcare provider.
What should I monitor?
- Relief of symptoms. Are they better, worse, or about the same?
Reasons to call healthcare provider
immediately
- Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; tightness in
the chest; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; swelling of face,
lips, tongue, or throat.
- Severe nausea, vomiting, and/or diarrhea.
- Blood in the stool and toilet bowl, vomiting blood, or coughing up blood.
- Unusual bruising or bleeding.
- Any rash.
- No improvement in condition or feeling worse.
How should I store this medicine?
- Store in a tight, light-resistant container at room temperature.
General statements
- Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's
medicine.
- Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
- Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, herbal/supplements,
vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider
(doctor, nurse, pharmacist, physician assistant)
- Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine, including
over-the-counter or natural products (herbs, vitamins).
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