Sunday, May 22, 2011

Naproxen

Naproxen


Generic Name: naproxen (na PROX en)


Brand names: Aleve, Anaprox, Comfort Pac with Naproxen, EC-Naprosyn, Leader Naproxen Sodium, Midol Extended Relief, Naprelan, Naprosyn


What is naproxen?


Naproxen is in a group of drugs called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). It works by reducing hormones that cause inflammation and pain in the body.


Naproxen is used to treat pain or inflammation caused by conditions such as arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, tendinitis, bursitis, gout, or menstrual cramps.


Naproxen may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.


Important information about naproxen


Naproxen can increase your risk of life-threatening heart or circulation problems, including heart attack or stroke. This risk will increase the longer you use naproxen. Do not use this medicine just before or after having heart bypass surgery (also called coronary artery bypass graft, or CABG).


Seek emergency medical help if you have symptoms of heart or circulation problems, such as chest pain, weakness, shortness of breath, slurred speech, or problems with vision or balance.


Naproxen can also increase your risk of serious effects on the stomach or intestines, including bleeding or perforation (forming of a hole). These conditions can be fatal and gastrointestinal effects can occur without warning at any time while you are taking naproxen. Older adults may have an even greater risk of these serious gastrointestinal side effects.


Call your doctor at once if you have symptoms of bleeding in your stomach or intestines. This includes black, bloody, or tarry stools, or coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds.


Do not use any other over-the-counter cold, allergy, or pain medication without first asking your doctor or pharmacist. Many medicines available over the counter contain aspirin or other medicines similar to naproxen (such as ibuprofen or ketoprofen). If you take certain products together you may accidentally take too much of this type of medication. Read the label of any other medicine you are using to see if it contains aspirin, ibuprofen, or ketoprofen. Do not drink alcohol while taking naproxen. Alcohol can increase the risk of stomach bleeding caused by naproxen. Avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight. Naproxen can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight, and a sunburn may result.


Before taking naproxen


Taking an NSAID can increase your risk of life-threatening heart or circulation problems, including heart attack or stroke. This risk will increase the longer you use an NSAID. Do not use Naproxen just before or after having heart bypass surgery (also called coronary artery bypass graft, or CABG).


NSAIDs can also increase your risk of serious effects on the stomach or intestines, including bleeding or perforation (forming of a hole). These conditions can be fatal and gastrointestinal effects can occur without warning at any time while you are taking an NSAID. Older adults may have an even greater risk of these serious gastrointestinal side effects.


Do not use this medication if you are allergic to naproxen, or if you have a history of allergic reaction to aspirin or other NSAIDs.


If you have any of these other conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely use naproxen:


a history of heart attack, stroke, or blood clot;


heart disease, congestive heart failure, high blood pressure;


a history of stomach ulcers or bleeding;


liver or kidney disease;


asthma;


polyps in your nose;


a bleeding or blood clotting disorder; or


if you smoke.


FDA pregnancy category C. Before using naproxen, tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. Taking naproxen during the last 3 months of pregnancy may result in birth defects. Do not take this medicine during pregnancy unless your doctor has told you to. Naproxen can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. Do not give Naproxen to a child younger than 2 years old without the advice of a doctor.


See also: Naproxen pregnancy and breastfeeding warnings (in more detail)


How should I take naproxen?


Take Naproxen exactly as directed on the label, or as it has been prescribed by your doctor. Do not use the medication in larger amounts, or use it for longer than recommended.


EC-Naprosyn is a slower-acting form of naproxen and this brand should be used only for treating arthritis or ankylosing spondylitis. Follow your doctor's instructions.


Do not crush, chew, or break an extended-release or enteric-coated tablet. Swallow the pill whole. The extended-release pill is specially made to release medicine slowly in the body. Breaking the pill would cause too much of the drug to be released at one time. The enteric-coated pill has a special coating to protect your stomach. Breaking the pill could damage this coating. Shake the oral suspension (liquid) well just before you measure a dose. To be sure you get the correct dose, measure the liquid with a marked measuring spoon or medicine cup, not with a regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.


If you take naproxen for a long period of time, your doctor may want to check you on a regular basis to make sure this medication is not causing harmful effects. Do not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.


Store naproxen at room temperature away from moisture and heat.


See also: Naproxen dosage (in more detail)


What happens if I miss a dose?


Since naproxen is sometimes taken only when needed, you may not be on a dosing schedule. If you are taking the medication regularly, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at your next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.


What happens if I overdose?


Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. Overdose symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, confusion, drowsiness, black or bloody stools, coughing up blood, shallow breathing, fainting, or coma.


What should I avoid while taking naproxen?


Do not use any other over-the-counter cold, allergy, or pain medication without first asking your doctor or pharmacist. Many medicines available over the counter contain aspirin or other medicines similar to naproxen (such as ibuprofen or ketoprofen). If you take certain products together you may accidentally take too much of this type of medication. Read the label of any other medicine you are using to see if it contains aspirin, ibuprofen, or ketoprofen. Do not drink alcohol while taking naproxen. Alcohol can increase the risk of stomach bleeding caused by naproxen. Avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight. Naproxen can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight, and a sunburn may result. Wear protective clothing and use sunscreen (SPF 15 or higher) when you are outdoors.


Naproxen side effects


Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction to naproxen: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Stop taking naproxen and seek medical attention or call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:


chest pain, weakness, shortness of breath, slurred speech, problems with vision or balance;


black, bloody, or tarry stools;


coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds;


swelling or rapid weight gain;


urinating less than usual or not at all;


nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);


fever, sore throat, and headache with a severe blistering, peeling, and red skin rash;


bruising, severe tingling, numbness, pain, muscle weakness; or


fever, headache, neck stiffness, chills, increased sensitivity to light, purple spots on the skin, and/or seizure (convulsions).


Less serious naproxen side effects may include:


upset stomach, mild heartburn or stomach pain, diarrhea, constipation;


bloating, gas;


dizziness, headache, nervousness;


skin itching or rash;


blurred vision; or


ringing in your ears.


This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.


See also: Naproxen side effects (in more detail)


What other drugs will affect naproxen?


Tell your doctor if you are taking an antidepressant such as citalopram (Celexa), duloxetine (Cymbalta), escitalopram (Lexapro), fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem, Symbyax), fluvoxamine (Luvox), paroxetine (Paxil), sertraline (Zoloft), or venlafaxine (Effexor). Taking any of these drugs with naproxen may cause you to bruise or bleed easily.


Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use, especially:


a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin);


lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid);


methotrexate (Rheumatrex, Trexall);


diuretics (water pills) such as furosemide (Lasix);


steroids (prednisone and others);


aspirin or other NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), diclofenac (Cataflam, Voltaren), etodolac (Lodine), indomethacin (Indocin), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), meloxicam (Mobic), piroxicam (Feldene), and others; or


an ACE inhibitor such as benazepril (Lotensin), captopril (Capoten), fosinopril (Monopril), enalapril (Vasotec), lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril), ramipril (Altace), and others.


This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with naproxen. Tell your doctor about all your prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.


More Naproxen resources


Naproxen Side Effects (in More Detail)


Naproxen Dosage


Naproxen Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding


Drug Images


Naproxen Drug Interactions


Naproxen Support Group


106 Reviews for Naproxen - Add your own review/rating


Naproxen Professional Patient Advice (Wolters Kluwer)


Naproxen MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)


Naproxen Prescribing Information (FDA)


Naproxen Monograph (AHFS DI)


naproxen Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information


Anaprox MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)


EC-Naprosyn Enteric-Coated Tablets MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)


Naprosyn Prescribing Information (FDA)


Compare Naproxen with other medications


Ankylosing Spondylitis


Aseptic Necrosis


Back Pain


Bursitis


Costochondritis


Dysautonomia


Fever


Frozen Shoulder


Gout, Acute


Headache


Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis


Muscle Pain


Osteoarthritis


Pain


Period Pain


Rheumatoid Arthritis


Sciatica


Tendonitis


Where can I get more information?


Your pharmacist can provide more information about naproxen.

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