Naproxen
About Naproxen
Naproxen is a prescription and over-the-counter medicine designed to relieve pain, swelling, tenderness, and stiffness. It is widely used to treat inflammatory joint conditions, menstrual cramps, and various minor aches. This medicine helps improve your daily comfort and physical function by targeting the chemical signals that cause pain.
Your doctor will determine the exact schedule you should follow to maintain consistent levels of this medicine in your body. It is highly recommended to take Naproxen with food or a glass of milk to prevent stomach discomfort. Incorporating gentle, low-impact exercises and maintaining a healthy weight can also work alongside this medicine to improve your joint health and mobility.
While taking this medicine, you may experience common, mild side effects such as a mild upset stomach, headache, or dizziness. However, if you experience serious symptoms like severe abdominal pain, black or bloody stools, or sudden chest pain, you must stop taking the medicine and consult your doctor immediately.
Before starting Naproxen, you must talk to your doctor if you have a history of high blood pressure, asthma, or kidney or liver damage. Do not take this medicine if you have recently had heart bypass surgery or if you have a history of allergic reactions to aspirin or other anti-inflammatory pain relievers.
This medicine can interact with blood thinners, alcohol, and smoking, which significantly increases your risk of developing severe stomach ulcers and bleeding. If you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, breastfeeding, or an elderly individual, you should consult your doctor before starting this medication.
Uses of Naproxen
• Pain Relief: Naproxen is commonly used to alleviate mild to moderate pain, including headaches, toothaches, and muscle aches, providing relief and improving daily functioning.
• Anti-inflammatory: Naproxen is effective in reducing inflammation associated with conditions such as arthritis, helping to ease symptoms related to swelling and stiffness in the joints.
• Menstrual Discomfort: Naproxen can be used to treat dysmenorrhea, offering relief from menstrual cramps and associated discomfort during the menstrual cycle.
• Gout Attacks: Naproxen is often prescribed to manage pain and inflammation during acute gout attacks, helping to reduce the severity and duration of symptoms.
• Tendinitis and Bursitis: Naproxen is useful in the treatment of tendinitis and bursitis, providing relief from the pain and inflammation in the tendons and bursae around joints.
Medicinal Benefits
Naproxen offers several key benefits to help you manage pain and maintain your daily routine:
- Long-lasting relief: It provides extended pain and inflammatory relief, reducing the need for frequent dosing throughout the day.
- Reduced joint swelling: By targeting the root cause of inflammation, it helps decrease swelling, allowing your joints to move more freely.
- Improved daily mobility: Minimising stiffness and discomfort makes it easier to perform everyday activities like walking, climbing stairs, and working.
- Faster recovery from flare-ups: It helps quickly manage sudden spikes in pain from joint conditions or muscle injuries, helping you get back to your regular activities sooner.
Directions for Use
To ensure you take Naproxen safely and effectively, please follow these guidelines:
- Swallow the tablet or capsule whole with a full glass of water. Do not crush, chew, or break the tablet, especially if it is an extended-release or delayed-release form.
- Take this medicine with food, milk, or an antacid to lower the chance of experiencing an upset stomach.
- Do not lie down for at least 10 minutes after taking this medication to prevent throat irritation.
- Always take this medicine exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take more of it or take it for longer than recommended.
Storage
Side Effects of Naproxen
Common Side Effects (Usually mild):
- Upset stomach, heartburn, or mild stomach pain
- Nausea or vomiting
- Headache, dizziness, or sleepiness
- Ringing in the ears
Serious Side Effects (Consult with a doctor right away):
- Signs of stomach bleeding, such as black or tarry stools, vomiting blood, or severe abdominal pain
- Signs of heart issues, including chest pain, sudden shortness of breath, slurred speech, or weakness on one side of your body
- Signs of kidney problems, like changes in the amount of urine, swelling in your legs or ankles, or sudden weight gain
- Severe allergic reactions, such as skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, tongue, or throat, and severe dizziness or trouble breathing
Medicines Containing this Salt
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Drug Warnings
- Always check the labels of any over-the-counter cold, allergy, or sleep medicines you take to ensure they do not also contain NSAIDs, preventing accidental double-dosing.
- Monitor your blood pressure regularly at home, as this medicine can cause blood pressure to rise or worsen existing high blood pressure.
- Stop taking this medicine and seek immediate medical care if you notice sudden swelling of your ankles, feet, or hands, or if you experience unexplained rapid weight gain.
- Do not take this medicine immediately before or after undergoing a coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) heart surgery.
- If you are prescribed this medication for long-term use, attend all scheduled appointments so your doctor can perform routine blood and kidney function tests to monitor your health.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions
- Blood thinners (such as warfarin or aspirin): Taking these with Naproxen can greatly increase your risk of severe stomach bleeding.
- Other NSAIDs (such as ibuprofen): Combining these medicines increases the risk of side effects like stomach ulcers and kidney strain.
- Blood pressure medications (such as ACE inhibitors and diuretics): This medicine can reduce how well these drugs lower your blood pressure and can increase the risk of kidney damage.
- Corticosteroids (such as prednisone): Using these together can raise the risk of developing ulcers or bleeding in your stomach and intestines.
Drug-Food Interactions
- Alcohol: Consuming alcohol while taking this medicine increases the likelihood of stomach irritation, ulcers, and gastrointestinal bleeding.
Drug-Disease Interactions
- Kidney Disease: This medicine can reduce blood flow to the kidneys, potentially worsening existing kidney problems.
- Heart Disease or High Blood Pressure: This medicine can cause fluid retention and increase the risk of heart attacks or stroke, especially when used long-term.
- Stomach Ulcers or Bleeding: Do not take this if you have an active ulcer, as it can cause further bleeding or tearing in the stomach lining.
- Asthma: Some patients with asthma may experience severe breathing difficulty or allergic reactions when taking this class of medicine.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeYou are recommended to avoid consumption of alcohol with Naproxen as it may increase the risk of stomach bleeding and ulcer.
Pregnancy
cautionNaproxen is a Category C pregnancy drug and is considered unsafe for pregnant women, especially in the third trimester. However, please consult your doctor if you are pregnant.
Breast Feeding
cautionAvoid breastfeeding while taking Naproxen as it may be excreted in breast milk and cause adverse effects in the baby.
Driving
cautionNaproxen may cause dizziness, tiredness, drowsiness or vision problems in some people. So, drive only if you are alert after taking Naproxen.
Liver
cautionTake Naproxen with caution, especially if you have a history of Liver diseases/conditions. The dose may be adjusted by your doctor as required.
Kidney
cautionNaproxen is not recommended for use in patients with moderate to severe and severe renal impairment whose creatinine clearance is less than 30 mL/min. The dose may be adjusted by your doctor as required.
Children
cautionNaproxen can be prescribed to the children for the treatment of muscle/bone disorders for children (from 1 month), joint disease diseases (from 2 years) and for period pain in girl children (under 15 years). However, your doctor will decide whether Naproxen should be given for the specific condition or not.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Stay well-hydrated: Drink plenty of water throughout the day. Proper hydration helps protect your kidneys, which is especially important when taking this class of pain relievers.
- Avoid alcohol: Do not drink alcohol while taking this medicine, as the combination significantly increases your risk of developing stomach ulcers or serious stomach bleeding.
- Protect your stomach: If you have a sensitive stomach, take your doses with meals or snack times to minimise gastrointestinal irritation.
- Manage sodium intake: Try to limit salt in your diet. This medicine can cause your body to retain fluids, which may raise your blood pressure or put extra strain on your heart.
- Stay active gently: If you are managing arthritis, participate in low-impact exercises such as swimming, cycling, or walking. This helps keep your joints flexible without putting excess stress on them.
Special Advise
- If you are elderly, a smoker, have had a stroke previously, or have high blood pressure, diabetes or high cholesterol, please inform your doctor as these conditions may increase the risk of heart problems.
- Do not take more than the prescribed dose as it may cause Naproxen overdose and lead to symptoms such as heartburn, stomach upset, unconsciousness, dizziness, ringing or buzzing in ears, fits, fainting, diarrhoea or excitation.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Arthritis: It is a condition that causes swelling of one or more joints, resulting in pain and stiffness of joints that worsen over time. There are different types of arthritis, of which osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are the most common types. The symptoms of arthritis include joint pain, stiffness, redness, tenderness, swelling in and around joints and reduced movement of joints. The risk of arthritis increases with age, obesity, previous joint injury or family history. Proper medication, physiotherapy or sometimes surgery may help to reduce symptoms of arthritis and enhance quality of life.
FAQs
Naproxen is used to reduce pain and swelling in muscles and joints in conditions such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis (pain and stiffness in the backbone), cervical spondylitis (wear and tear of spinal discs in neck) and acute gout (severe pain due to excess of uric acid).
Naproxen works by blocking the action of the cyclo-oxygenase (COX) enzyme in the body that is involved in the production of certain chemical substances, such as prostaglandins, that cause pain and swelling.
Arthritis is a chronic condition of joints with pain and inflammation. Naproxen does not cure arthritis but relieve symptoms of arthritis like joint pain, swelling and stiffness.
No, Naproxen is not recommended for use during pregnancy, especially in the last three months. It can affect and may harm the unborn baby (fetus). Therefore, if you are pregnant or planning for pregnancy, please inform your doctor before taking Naproxen.
Yes, Naproxen may increase the risk of heart problems such as heart attack and stroke, especially when used in high doses or for prolonged duration. It is advised to inform your doctor if you have any of these conditions or have a history of heart problems or stroke before taking Naproxen. However, it is recommended to take Naproxen in doses and for the duration as prescribed by your doctor. It should not be used by the patient who has had recent heart bypass surgery (coronary artery bypass graft - CABG).
Naproxen is a pregnancy category C medicine, so it is advisable to tell your doctor before its intake. It may inhibit ovulation (release of egg from the ovary) and decrease the levels of progesterone, leading to infertility in women. However, this effect is temporary and ovulation returns to normal mostly after one month of stopping Naproxen. However, if you are planning for pregnancy or have difficulties becoming pregnant, please inform your doctor before taking Naproxen.
No, you are not recommended to take Naproxen with warfarin as co-administration of these two medicines may increase the risk of bleeding more easily. However, if you notice blood in urine or stools, dizziness, unusual bleeding or bruising, vomiting, weakness or headache, please consult a doctor immediately. If you are supposed to use these medicines together, you are advised to contact your doctor so that the dose may be adjusted appropriately to use safely.
Always take Naproxen with or after a meal so it does not affect your stomach.
Using Naproxen together with other Painkillers is generally not recommended. Combining these medications may increase the risk of side effects in the gastrointestinal tract, such as inflammation, bleeding, ulceration, and, rarely, perforation.
The doctor should decide the dose and duration based on your medical needs.
It is okay to take Naproxen with paracetamol, but this should only be done for short periods.
Please do not stop taking Naproxen without consulting your doctor. To treat your condition effectually, continue taking Naproxen for as long as your doctor prescribes it. Do not be reluctant to speak with your doctor if you experience any difficulty while taking Naproxen.
NSAIDs, including Naproxen, may cause an increased risk of sudden kidney failure and even progressive kidney damage.
Naproxen is not a steroid. It is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID).
If you've been taking Naproxen for a long time, you are at risk of getting a stomach ulcer. Your doctor may prescribe a medicine, such as omeprazole or other medications, to protect your stomach.
The choice between a lower and higher dose of medication depends on your specific needs. A lower dose may be suitable for mild symptoms, while a higher dose may be needed for more severe symptoms. However, higher doses can also increase the risk of side effects. Always consult your healthcare provider to determine the best dosage for you.
Before stopping Naproxen, always check with your healthcare provider, even if your migraine symptoms have improved. They prescribed the medication for a specific time to ensure your migraine is fully treated and to avoid relapse. Suddenly stopping can cause new headaches or withdrawal effects. Your healthcare provider will advise you on how to reduce the dosage if needed safely and when it's okay to stop taking the medication.
Naproxen may cause diarrhoea. Naproxen can irritate the stomach and gut, leading to diarrhoea, tummy pain, or nausea. Talk to your doctor about diarrhoea or other side effects while taking Naproxen. Do not take any antidiarrheal medical medications unless recommended by the doctor.
Naproxen may not safe for everyone. Don't take them if you're allergic to Naproxen, have a bleeding stomach ulcer, kidney disease, severe heart failure, or are in your third trimester of pregnancy. Also, avoid taking them if you're breastfeeding unless your doctor says it's okay. And don't combine them with other NSAIDs or blood thinners. Always check with your healthcare provider first to make sure it's safe for you to take Naproxen Tablets.
Taking more than the recommended dosage does not provide additional relief and can increase the risk of adverse effects.
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember unless it's almost time for your next dose. In this case, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the regular time. Never take a double dose to make up for a missed one.
Store in a cool and dry place away from sunlight. Keep Naproxen out of reach and out of sight to children.
You should start to feel better about one hour after taking Naproxen. However, this may vary from person to person based on various factors.
No, Naproxen is not addictive, but it's essential always to take it as advised.
Do not drink alcohol while taking Naproxen. Alcohol can increase your risk of stomach bleeding caused by Naproxen.
Common side effects of Naproxen may include indigestion, heartburn, stomach pain, nausea, headache, dizziness, drowsiness, bruising, itching, rash, and ringing in your ears. Most of these side effects of Naproxen do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects persist or worsen, please consult your doctor.
Yes, but only if specifically prescribed by your doctor. The skin on your face is thin and sensitive, which increases the risk of side effects like skin thinning. Talk to your doctor for guidance.
Children have thinner skin and can absorb larger amounts of this medication, making them more sensitive to side effects. It should only be used under the strict supervision of a paediatrician. Talk to your doctor.
Many people begin to feel relief from itching and redness within a few days of starting treatment. If your symptoms do not improve after two weeks, consult your doctor.
No, this medication is a steroid and does not fight bacteria, viruses, or fungi. Using it on an untreated infection can make the infection worse. Talk to your doctor if you suspect an infection.
You should allow Naproxen to absorb completely into your skin before applying any other skincare products, sunscreens, or makeup. Consult your pharmacist or doctor for specific advice.
Skin thinning is a potential side effect of topical steroids, but it is less common with low-potency steroids like Naproxen when used exactly as directed. Avoid prolonged use on thin skin areas. Talk to your doctor.
It is not fully known if this medicine can affect an unborn baby or pass into breast milk when applied to the skin. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding before using it.
If this medicine accidentally gets into your eyes, rinse them immediately and thoroughly with plenty of cool water. If irritation or changes in your vision occur, contact a doctor right away.
