Naproxen

Generical name: naproxen (na PROX in)
The brand name is Aleve, EC-Naprosyn, Flanax Pain Reliever, Midol Extended Relief, Naprelan, …show all 12 brand names
Naproxen may also be found in conjunction with other medicines under the brands: Aleve PM, Aleve-D Sinus and Treximet, Cold and Vimovo
The class of drugs: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications

How do I know naproxen?

Naproxen is one of the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication (NSAID). It helps by reducing the hormones that trigger pain and inflammation within the body.

Naproxen can be used to treat inflammation or pain due to conditions like arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis tendinitis, bursitis Gout, arthritis, or menstrual cramps. It is also utilized to relieve acute pain due to other ailments not covered in this guide to medication.

Extended-release tablets or delayed-release tablets are slower acting versions of naproxen. They are utilized exclusively to treat chronic ailments like ankylosing spondylitis or arthritis. These types of naproxen will not be effective quickly enough to relieve acute pain.¶

Warnings

It is not recommended to use naproxen when you have an allergy history to aspirin or another NSAID (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication).

Naproxen may increase the chances of suffering fatal heart attacks or strokes in particular if you use it for long periods or take high doses, or you suffer from heart disease. Even people who don’t have heart health or risk factors can be at risk of a heart attack when taking this medicine.

Do not take this medication prior to or following the procedure for a heart bypass (coronary bypass grafts for arteries CABG, or CABG).

Contact a medical professional immediately for swelling of your throat or face and chest pain and weakness, breathlessness, speech slurred, or difficulties with balance or vision. Stop taking naproxen and inform your doctor if you experience nausea, tiredness, weakening of the eyes or skin nausea, vomiting, bloody or black, sticky diarrhea and skin rashes, inexplicably weight loss or increase, or swelling of the feet and hands.

Naproxen can cause stomach or intestinal bleeding which could be fatal. These issues can happen at any time while taking this medicine and are more common for older people.

Before you start taking this medicine, make sure to consult your doctor

Naproxen can also trigger bleeding in the stomach or in the intestinal tract that can lead to fatal bleeding. These issues can happen at any time while taking this medication, particularly for older people.

It is not recommended to use naproxen in the event that you are allergic to it or if you’ve suffered an asthma attack or an extreme allergic reaction after taking aspirin or NSAID.

Talk to your doctor prior to giving naproxen to children less than 12 years old.

Talk to a doctor or pharmacist to determine if it’s safe to take this medicine if you suffer from:

• heart disease heart disease, high blood pressure high cholesterol, diabetes or if smoking;
• an occurrence or a history of stroke, heart attack or blood clots;
• an occurrence of bleeding or stomach ulcers;
• asthma;
• kidney disease or liver failure;
• fluid retention: or
• If you take aspirin to avoid a heart attack or stroke.

If you are expecting then you shouldn’t take naproxen, unless your doctor advises you not to

 Taking an NSAID in the final twenty weeks during pregnancy may result in serious kidney or heart issues for the unborn baby and possible complications related to the pregnancy.

It is not always appropriate to breastfeed while taking naproxen. Talk to your doctor about any potential risks.

Naproxen is not recommended to be used by anyone less than two years old. Never give this medication to an infant without medical guidance.

How should I take naproxen?

Take naproxen as directed on the label or as directed by your physician. Don’t take naproxen in greater quantities or for a longer duration than is recommended. Choose the dosage that is effective in treating your illness.

The oral suspension should be shaken (liquid) well prior to when you begin to measure a dose. Measure the liquid medication with the dosing needle available, or by using an appropriate dose-measuring spoon or medicine cup. If you do not own an instrument for measuring doses, ask your pharmacist to get one.

If you alter brands or strengths, or even forms of this medication the dosage requirements may alter. Talk to your pharmacist if have any concerns about the naproxen type you’re using.

If your child is taking this medication, inform your physician if the child is experiencing any changes in weight. Doses are determined by weight changes in children, and any changes could affect the dosage of your child.

If you take this medication over a long period of time, you could require regular medical examinations.

This medication can cause unexpected results when you undergo certain tests. Be sure to inform any doctor treating your condition that you are taking naproxen.

Keep the bottle at room temperature, free of heat, moisture, and light. Make sure the bottle is tightly sealed when not being used.

Take note of all information for patients including medication guides and instructions sheets that you receive. Talk to your pharmacist or doctor for any additional concerns.

How do I deal with it if do not take a dose?

Because naproxen is often employed only when it is needed it is possible that you are not on a schedule of dosing. If you’re following a routine, take the missed dose as quickly as you can remember. Avoid your missed dosage if you are nearing the time for the next dose schedule. Don’t use any extra medication to make up for the missed dose.

How do I react if consume too much?

Get medical attention immediately or contact for help at the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

What should you do to

Do not drink alcohol. This can increase your chance of bleeding from your stomach.

Take aspirin only if your doctor has instructed you to.

Consult your physician before using any other medications for discomfort, arthritis, and swelling. Some of the medications available at pharmacies include salicylates, aspirin, or other drugs like naproxen (such as ketoprofen and ibuprofen). Combining certain medications can result in you taking excessive amounts of this kind of medicine.

Talk to your physician prior to using an antacid. Make sure you use only the kind that your doctor recommends. Certain types of antacids make it more difficult for your body to absorb naproxen.

Naproxen side effects

See a doctor immediately Get medical attention immediately if you show symptoms of an allergic reaction with naproxen, such as trouble breathing or wheezing or hives; swelling of your lips, face, and throat.

Take immediate medical care If you’re experiencing indications of an attack on your heart or stroke: chest pain spreading to your shoulder or jaw A sudden feeling of weakness or numbness to one area of your body, slurred speechor feeling tired.

Stop using naproxen and contact your doctor right away If you are suffering from:

• breath shortness (even when exerting only a little);
• swelling or weight gain rapid;
• the initial sign for any skin eruption regardless of its severity;
• indications that stomach blood is bleeding- bloody or tarry stool, coughing blood or vomit that appears like coffee grounds
• liver issues nausea, stomach pain, and itching. Itchy, tired feeling similar to flu symptoms, loss of appetite the dark color of urine, stools that are clay-colored, and jaundice (yellowing of the eyes or skin);
• kidney issues There is no or little urinary tract, difficult or painful urine, swelling of your ankles and feet being fatigued or lacking breath.
• Red blood cells are low (anemia) – pale skin, feeling lightheaded or breathless, high heart rate, difficulty in concentrating or
• extreme skin irritation that causes sore throat, fever, swelling on your tongue or face burning in your eyes, and skin irritation and an erupting red or purple eruption that can spread (especially on the face or the upper part of the body) and can cause blisters and peeling.

Common side effects of naproxen include:

• indigestion, heartburn, stomach pain, nausea;
• headache, dizziness, drowsiness;
• bruising, itching, rash;
• swelling or
• Ringing in your ears.

This is not a comprehensive list of all side effects. other side effects could be present. Contact your physician for advice regarding medical adverse effects. You may report any adverse reactions to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other medications can have an effect on naproxen?

Talk to your doctor prior to taking naproxen if you are taking an antidepressant like citalopram Escitalopram, Fluoxetine (Prozac) fluvoxamine, sertraline, paroxetine (Zoloft) or trazodone or vilazodone. The combination of any of these drugs along with an NSAID could cause bleeding or bruises easily.

Talk to a pharmacist or doctor to determine if it’s appropriate for you to take this medicine if you’re also taking any of these drugs:

• cholestyramine;
• cyclosporine;
• digoxin;
• lithium;
• methotrexate;
• pemetrexed;
• phenytoin or similar seizure medications;
• probenecid;
• warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven) or similar blood thinners
• diuretic or “water pill”;
• blood pressure or heart-related medication or
• Insulin or other oral diabetic medications.

This list is not comprehensive. Other drugs can interact with naproxen. This includes medications that are prescribed and available over the counter such as vitamins, herbal products. The interactions of naproxen aren’t all included in this guide to medications.