Naproxen

What is the most important information I should know about naproxen?
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Take naproxen with food, milk, or an antacid to lessen stomach upset.
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Do not crush or chew the extended-release forms of naproxen (e.g., Naprelan, EC Naprosyn, others). Swallow them whole. These are specially formulated to release slowly in the body. Ask your pharmacist if you do not know if you have an extended-release formulation.
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Contact your doctor if you experience blood in vomit or bloody, black, or tarry stools. These symptoms could indicate damage to the stomach or intestines, which could be dangerous.
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Many over-the-counter cough, cold, allergy, and pain medicines contain aspirin or other medicines similar to naproxen (such as ibuprofen, ketoprofen, and others). Before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicine, talk to your doctor and pharmacist.
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Patients who are taking over-the-counter naproxen products (Aleve) should follow the instructions on the label. Do not exceed the recommended over-the-counter doses for naproxen (220 milligrams twice daily) and do not take naproxen for longer than ten days unless a physician directs otherwise.
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Avoid alcohol or use it with moderation. If you drink more than three alcoholic beverages a day, naproxen may increase the risk of dangerous stomach bleeding. Talk to your doctor before taking naproxen if you drink more than 3 alcoholic beverages a day.
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Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Naproxen may cause dizziness. If you experience dizziness, avoid these activities.
What is naproxen?
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Naproxen is in a class of drugs called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Naproxen works by reducing hormones that cause inflammation and pain in the body.
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Naproxen is used to reduce pain, inflammation, and stiffness caused by many conditions, such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, ankylosing spondylitis, injury, abdominal cramps associated with menstruation, tendinitis, and bursitis.
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Naproxen may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking naproxen?
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Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you
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have an allergy to aspirin or any other NSAIDs,
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have an ulcer or bleeding in your stomach,
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drink more than three alcoholic beverages a day,
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have liver disease,
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have kidney disease,
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have a coagulation (bleeding) disorder,
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have congestive heart failure,
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have fluid retention,
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have heart disease, or
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have high blood pressure.
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You may not be able to take naproxen, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.
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Naproxen is in the FDA pregnancy category B. This means that it is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. Naproxen should not be taken late in pregnancy (the third trimester) because a similar drug is known to affect the baby's heart. Do not take naproxen without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant.
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Naproxen passes into breast milk and may affect a nursing infant. Do not take this medicine without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
How should I take naproxen?
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Take naproxen exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these instructions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.
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Take each dose with a full glass of water.
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Take naproxen with milk, food, or an antacid to lessen stomach upset.
•
Do not crush or chew the extended-release forms of naproxen (e.g., Naprelan, EC Naprosyn, others). Swallow them whole. These are specially formulated to release slowly in the body. Ask your pharmacist if you do not know if you have an extended-release formulation.
•
Patients who are taking over-the-counter naproxen products (Aleve) should follow the instructions on the label. Do not exceed the recommended over-the-counter doses for naproxen (220 milligrams twice daily) and do not take naproxen for longer than ten days unless a physician directs otherwise.
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Shake the suspension well before measuring a dose. To ensure that you get the correct dose, measure the liquid form of naproxen with a special dose-measuring spoon or cup, not with a regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist where you can get one.
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Store naproxen at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
What happens if I miss a dose?
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If you are taking naproxen on a regular schedule, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take only the next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose.
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If you are taking naproxen as needed, take the missed dose if it is needed, then wait the recommended or prescribed amount of time before taking another dose.
What happens if I overdose?
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Seek emergency medical attention if an overdose is suspected.
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Symptoms of a naproxen overdose may include nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, dizziness, drowsiness, headache, ringing in the ears, blurred vision, seizures, sweating, numbness or tingling, little or no urine production, and slow breathing.
What should I avoid while taking naproxen?
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Avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight. Naproxen may increase the sensitivity of the skin to sunlight. Use a sunscreen and wear protective clothing when exposure to the sun is unavoidable.
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Avoid alcohol or use it with moderation. If you drink more than three alcoholic beverages a day, naproxen may increase the risk of dangerous stomach bleeding. Talk to your doctor before taking naproxen if you drink more than 3 alcoholic beverages a day.
•
Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Naproxen may cause dizziness. If you experience dizziness, avoid these activities.
•
Many over-the-counter cough, cold, allergy, and pain medicines contain aspirin or other medicines similar to naproxen (such as ibuprofen, ketoprofen, and others). Before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicine, talk to your doctor and pharmacist.
What are the possible side effects of naproxen?
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Contact your doctor if you experience blood in vomit or bloody, black, or tarry stools. These symptoms could indicate damage to the stomach or intestines, which could be dangerous.
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If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking naproxen and seek medical treatment or contact your doctor immediately:
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an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives);
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muscle cramps, numbness, or tingling;
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ulcers (open sores) in the mouth;
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rapid weight gain (fluid retention);
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seizures;
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decreased hearing or ringing in the ears;
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yellowing of your skin or eyes (jaundice); or
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abdominal cramping, heartburn, or indigestion.
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Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take naproxen and talk to your doctor if you experience
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dizziness or headache;
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nausea, diarrhea, or constipation;
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depression;
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fatigue or weakness;
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dry mouth; or
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irregular menstrual periods.
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Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.
What other drugs will affect naproxen?
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Before taking naproxen, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following drugs:
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aspirin or another salicylate (form of aspirin) such as salsalate (Disalcid), diflunisal (Dolobid), choline salicylate-magnesium salicylate (Trilisate, Tricosal, others), and magnesium salicylate (Doan's, others);
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another nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) such as diclofenac (Cataflam, Voltaren), etodolac (Lodine), fenoprofen (Nalfon), flurbiprofen (Ansaid), ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil, others), indomethacin (Indocin), ketoprofen (Orudis, Orudis KT), ketorolac (Toradol), meloxicam (Mobic), nabumetone (Relafen), oxaprozin (Daypro), piroxicam (Feldene), sulindac (Clinoril), or tolmetin (Tolectin);
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an over-the-counter cough, cold, allergy, or pain medicine that contains aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, or ketoprofen;
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an anticoagulant (blood thinner) such as warfarin (Coumadin);
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a steroid such as prednisone (Deltasone);
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insulin or an oral diabetes medicine such as glipizide (Glucotrol), glyburide (Diabeta, Micronase), and others;
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probenecid (Benemid);
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lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid, others); or
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bismuth subsalicylate in drugs such as Pepto-Bismol.
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You may not be able to take naproxen, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you are taking any of the medicines listed above.
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Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with naproxen. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including vitamins, minerals, and herbal products.
Where can I get more information?
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Your pharmacist has additional information about naproxen written for health professionals that you may read.