Naproxen (By mouth)

na-PROX-en

Treats fever and pain. This medicine is an NSAID.

Drug classes

Analgesic, Antimigraine, Antirheumatic, Central Nervous System Agent, Musculoskeletal Agent (About this – PubMed Health)

Uses

Uses of This Medicine

Naproxen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used to relieve symptoms of arthritis (osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, or juvenile arthritis) such as inflammation, swelling, stiffness, and joint pain. Naproxen also helps relieve symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis, which is a type of arthritis that affects the joints in the spine. However, this medicine does not cure arthritis and will help you only as long as you continue to take it.

This medicine may also be used to treat mild to moderate pain, including acute gout and other painful conditions such as bursitis, tendonitis, or menstrual cramps.

This medicine is available only with your doctor’s prescription.

Other uses (PubMed Health)

How To Use

Liquid, Liquid Filled Capsule, Tablet, Coated Tablet, Long Acting Tablet

Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to use. Do not use more than directed.

Prescription-strength naproxen: This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. Ask your pharmacist for a copy if you do not have one.

Follow the instructions on the medicine label if you are using this medicine without a prescription.

Take this medicine with food or milk so it does not upset your stomach. Drink a full glass of water after each dose.

Delayed-release tablet: Swallow whole. Do not crush, break, or chew it.

Oral liquid: Shake well just before you measure the dose. Measure the oral liquid medicine with a marked measuring spoon, oral syringe, or medicine cup.

Missed dose: Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Oral liquid: Do not freeze.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

Do not use any other NSAID medicine unless your doctor says it is okay. Some other NSAIDs are aspirin, diclofenac, ibuprofen, or celecoxib.

Some medicines and foods can affect how naproxen works. Tell your doctor if you are using any of the following:

Blood thinner (such as warfarin) Steroid medicine (such as hydrocortisone, methylprednisolone, prednisone, prednisolone, dexamethasone) Blood pressure medicine Lithium Methotrexate Probenecid

Ask your doctor before you use an antacid or stomach medicine.

When Not To Use

This medicine is not right for everyone. Do not use it if you had an allergic reaction (including asthma) to naproxen, aspirin, or other NSAID medicine.

Warnings

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Do not use this medicine during the later part of pregnancy, unless your doctor tells you to.

Tell your doctor if you have kidney disease, liver disease, asthma, high blood pressure, congestive heart failure (CHF), other heart or blood problems, or a history of ulcers or digestion problems. Tell your doctor if you smoke or drink alcohol.

This medicine may cause the following problems:

Bleeding and ulcers in the stomach or intestines Higher risk of heart attack or stroke Liver damage Kidney damage

Call your doctor if symptoms get worse, pain lasts more than 10 days, or fever lasts more than 3 days.

Tell any doctor or dentist who treats that you are using this medicine, especially if you have surgery or a procedure.

This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive or do anything else that could be dangerous if you are not alert.

Tell any doctor or dentist who treats you that you are using this medicine. This medicine may affect certain medical test results.

Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

Possible side effects

Summary More details

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing

Blistering, peeling, red skin rash

Change in how much or how often you urinate

Chest pain, trouble breathing, weakness on one side of your body, severe headache, trouble seeing or talking, pain in your lower leg

Chest pain that may spread, trouble breathing, nausea, unusual sweating, fainting

Dark urine or pale stools, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, stomach pain, yellow skin or eyes

Severe stomach pain, vomiting blood, bloody or black, tarry stools

Swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet, rapid weight gain

Unusual bleeding, bruising, or weakness

Vision changes

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

Mild nausea, diarrhea, or constipation

Ringing in your ears, dizziness, headache

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

More side effects of this drug

Brand names include

Aflaxen, Aleve, Aleve Arthritis, All Day Pain Relief, All Day Relief, Anaprox, Anaprox DS, EC Naprosyn, Flanax Pain Relief Kit, Good Neighbor Pharmacy All Day Pain Relief, Good Sense All Day Pain Relief, Leader All Day Pain Relief, Mediproxen, Naprelan, Naprelan 500, Naprelan Dose Card, NaproPak, NaproPax, Naprosyn, Naxen

There may be other brand names for this medicine.