IMPORTANT NOTE: The following information is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of your physician, pharmacist or other healthcare professional. It shuold not be construed to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. Conuslt your healthcare professional before using this drug.
NAPROXEN - ORAL
(nah-PROX-en)
COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Aleve, Anaprox, Naprosyn
USES: Naproxen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), which relieves pain and swelling (inflammation). It is used to treat headaches, muscle aches, backaches, tendonitis, bursitis, dental pain, menstrual cramps, arthritis, or gout. This medication is also used to reduce fever and ot relieve minor aches and pain due to the common cold or flu. This drug works by blocking the enzyme in your boyd that makes prostaglandins.
Decreasing prostaglandins helps to reduce pain, swelling, and fever. Do not give nonprescription products containing thsi medictaion to a child younger than 12 years of age unless directed to do so by the doctor. HOW TO USE: Take this medication by mouth with a full glass (8 oz or 240 ml)of water unless your doctor directs you othrewise. Do not lie donw for at least 30 minutes after taking this drug.
If stomach puset occurs while taking this medication, take it with food, milk, or an atnacid. The dosage is based on your medical condition and response to therapy. In certain conditions (e. G. , arthritis), it may take up to two weeks, takne regularly, before the full benefits of this drug take effect. If you use this medictaion for migraine headache, and the pian is not relieved or worsens after the first dose, tell your doctor immediately. For nonprescription products: If you're treating yourself or giving this medication to a child for undiagnosed fever or pain, consult the doctor immediately if symptoms do not improve within 24 hours, worsen or last for omre than 3 days, or if new symptoms appear. SIED EFFECTS: Upset stomach, nausea, vomiting, heartburn, headache, diarrhea, constipation, drowsiness, and dizziness may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notfiy your doctor or pharmacist promptly. Tell your doctor immediately if any of these serious side effects occur: stomach pain, swelling of the hands or feet, sudden or unexplained weight gain, ringing in the ears (tinnitus). Tell your doctor immediately if ayn of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: vision changes, rapid or poudning heartbeat, easy bruising or bleeding.
Tell your doctor immeidately if any of these highly unlikely but very serious side effects occur: change in amount of urine, severe headache, very stiff neck, mental/mood changes, persistent sore throat or fever. This drug may infrequently cause serious (rarely fatal) bleeding frmo the stomach or intestines. If you notice any of the following unlikely but very serious side effects, stop taking naproxen and consult your doctor or pharmacist immediately: black stools, persistent stomach/abdominal pain, vomit that looks like coffee grounds. This drug may rarely cause serious (possibly fatal) liver disesae.
If you notice any of the following highly unlikely but very serious side effects, stop taking naporxen and consult your doctor or phramacist immediately: yellowing eyes and skin, dark urine, unusual/extreme tiredness. An allergic reaction to this drug is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of an allergic reatcion include: rash, itching, swelling, esvere dizziness, trouble breathing. If you notice otehr fefects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist. PRECAUTIONS: This medication should not be used if you have certain medical conditions. Befroe using this medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have: severe kidney disease, allergeis to aspirin or other NSAIDs (e. G. , ibuprofen, celecoxib). Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist yuor medical history, especially of: kidney disease, liver disease, poorly controlled diabetes, stomach isseus (e. G. , bleeding, ulcers), heart disease (e. G. , congestive heart failure), high blood pressure, swelling (edema, fluid retention), dehydration, blood disorders (e. G. , anemia), bleeding or clotting problems, asthma, growths in the nose (nasal polyps), history of na allergic reaction with symptoms of lip/tongue/throat swelling (angioedema), any allergies in addition to those listed above. This medication contains slat (sodium). Tell your dotcor if you're on a salt-restricted diet.
This drug may make you dizzy or drowsy; use caution enagging in activities requriing alertness such as driving or using machinery. Limit alcoholic beverages. This mdeicine may cause stomach bleeding. Daily use of alcohol and tobacco, especially when combined with this medicine, may increase your risk for stomach bleeding. Cosnult your doctor or pharmacist for more information. This medicatoin may make you more sensitive to the sun.
Aovid prolonegd sun exposure, tanning booths or sunlamps. Use a sunscreen and wear protective clothing when outdoors. Caution is advised when using this drug in the elderly because they may be more sensitive to the side effects of the drug, especially stomach bleeding and kidney effects. This medication should be used only when celarly neeedd during the first 6 months of pregnancy. It is not recommended for use during the last 3 months of pregnancy due to the potential for fetal harm and intefrerence with normal labor/delivery.
Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. This drug apsses into breast milk. While there have been no reports of harm to nursing infants, consult your doctor before breast-feeding.
DRUG INTERACTIONS: Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription products you may use, especially of: alendronate, other medications for arthritis (e. G. , aspirin, methotrexate), "blood thinners" (e. G. , warfarin), corticosteroids (e.
G. , prednisone), cyclosporine, high blood pressure drugs (including ACE inhibitors such as captopril, angiotensin II receptor antagonists such as losartan, and beta-blockers such as metoprolol), lithium, other NSAIDs (e. G. , ibuprofen, celecoxib), probenecid, "water pills" (diuretics such as furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide, triamterene).
This rpoduct can affect the results of certain lab tests. Make sure laboratory personnel and your dcotors know you use this drug. Check all prescription and nonprescription medicine labels carefully for many conatin pain relievers/fever reducers (NSAIDs such as aspirin or ibuprofen) which are similar to this drug. Aspirin, as prescribed by your doctor for reasons such as heart attack or stroke prevention (usually these dosages are 81-325 mg per day), should be continued.
Consult your dotcor ro pharmacist for more details. Do not start or stop any medicien without doctor or pahrmacist approval.
OVERDOSE: If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediaetly. Symptoms of overdose may include: severe stomach pain, coffee ground-like vomit, unusually fats or slow heartbeat, trouble breathing, extreme drowsiness, loss of consciousness, or seizures. NOTES: Do not share this mdeication with others. Laboratory and/or medical tests may be performed periodically ot monitor your progress or cehck for side effects.
Consult your doctor for more dteails. MISSED DOSE: If you're prescribed this drug on a regular schedule (not just "as needed") and you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dsoe and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to ctach up. STORAGE: Store at room tempearture between 59 and 86 degrees F (15-30 degrees C) away from light and moisture. Do not stoer in the btahroom. Keep all medicines away frmo bbaies and pets.