Naproxen is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) which is used to treat pain, swelling, stiffness, inflammation and other discomfort associated with arthritis. Naproxen can be used to treat osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis or juvenile arthritis. In some cases, this may be used to treat the pain associated with gout, menstrual cramps, tendonitis or other conditions that cause pain throughout the body.
Indications and Usage
Naproxen is sold under the brand names Aleve, Aflaxen, Aleve, Anaprox, Arthritis, Anaprox DS, EC Naprosyn,Naprelan, Naprelan Dose Card, Naprelan 500, and Naprosyn. These medications are used to treat pain, swelling and inflammation throughout the body. Naproxen is available as a tablet, extended release tablet or liquid. You may take doses every 6-8 hours as necessary to relieve your symptoms. You will need to speak to a doctor if you wish to use this medication on a long term basis.
Naproxen is meant to be taken orally. You may need to follow your dose with food or milk to help prevent nausea. If you have been given a liquid form of this medication, shake it before pouring yourself a dose. Only use a measuring spoon or cup that has been labeled to ensure a proper dose. It may take 1-2 weeks before Naproxen is able to make your arthritis symptoms better, but you should talk to your doctor if your symptoms last more than 10 days without any improvement.
Naproxen Dosage
Those using Naproxen regularly to help manage rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis or ankylosing spondylitis will usually be given 250 or 357 mg twice a day. Doses in this case should not exceed 1500 mg per day. Those treating another condition, such as bursitis, tendonitis, menstrual cramps or general pain can take 500 mg as an initial dose, which will be followed up by 250 mg doses every 6-8 hours as necessary. When treating gout, you may be given a 750 mg initial dose, followed by 250 mg doses every 6-8 hours as necessary. Those using controlled release tablets can take up to 1500 mg in a single dose, which can be followed by 750-1000 mg doses as necessary. Do not take doses this large without your doctor's supervision.
Children will need to get a recommendation from their doctor regarding the appropriate dosing side for their condition. In most cases, children over 2 may take 5 mg of Naproxen for every kilogram of body weight.
|
Indications |
Usual Dosage |
Special Dosage |
|---|---|---|
|
Rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis |
250 mg or 375 mg twice a day, up to 1500 mg per day in total. For controlled release tablets, take 750 mg initially, with doses increasing up to 1500 mg per day as necessary. |
Children 2 and over will take 5 mg for every kilogram of body weight. |
|
Bursitis, tendonitis, menstrual cramps, and pain |
500 mg initially, followed by 250 mg every 6-8 hours as necessary. For controlled release tablets, take 1000 mg initially, which may be increased up to 1500 mg as necessary. |
Children's dosage should be recommended by a doctor. |
|
Gout |
750 mg initially, followed by 250 mg every 6-8 hours as necessary. For controlled release tablets, 1000-1500 mg will be given initially, followed by 1000 mg daily until the pain is relieved. |
Naproxen Side Effects
Common side effects of Naproxen include belching, bruising, difficulty breathing, indigestion, headache, itching skin, blue or purplish patches on the skin, shortness of breath, swelling,pain below the breastbone, stomach pain, skin eruptions, tightness in the chestand wheezing. These side effects should become less severe over time. Let your doctor know if these side effects do not get better or if they get worse as you continue to use your medication. If at any time the side effects make you feel as though you are in danger, get medical assistance right away.
Less common side effects of Naproxen include bloating, blood in the stool, blurred vision, burning abdominal pain, cloudy urine, constipation, difference in urine output, double vision, irregular heartbeat, halos around lights, indigestion, nausea, vomiting, night blindness, pale skin, red dots on skin, severe stomach pain, skin rash, swelling of the mouth, trouble breathing, tunnel vision, unusual fatigue, unusual bleeding, and weight loss. These side effects are not necessarily serious, but should be reported to your doctor in the case that they are frequent or severe. You may need to adjust the amount of medication you are taking to help eliminate these conditions.
Additional side effects of Naproxen include anxiety, back and leg pain, bleeding gums, blindness, blistering or peeling skin, blood in the urine, blue lips or fingernails, canker sores, change in ability to see colors, chest pain, clay colored stools, cold sweats, coma, confusion, cough, cracks in the skin, decreased vision, darkened urine, diarrhea, depression, dizziness, dilated neck veins, dry mouth, dry cough, eye pain, extreme fatigue, fainting, pain, seizures, no pulse, pounding in the ears, scaly skin, nervousness, weight gain, sore throat, and yellow skin or eyes. These side effects may be dangerous, so you should report them to your doctor if you begin to experience one of these conditions. The rate of these side effects occurring is not known.
If you begin to suffer from bleeding under the skin, confusion about identity, place or time, restlessness or sleepiness, you may be suffering from an overdose of Naproxen. Contact poison control or emergency medical services immediately to get medical assistance. If possible, have information ready regarding how much Naproxen you have taken and when so they can evaluate what care you might need.
|
Types of Side Effects |
Symptoms |
|---|---|
|
Common Side Effects |
Belching, bruising, difficulty breathing, indigestion, headache, itching skin, blue or purplish patches on the skin, pain below the breastbone, shortness of breath, skin eruptions, stomach pain, swelling, tightness in the chest, and wheezing. |
|
Uncommon Side Effects |
Bloating, blood in the stool, blurred vision, burning abdominal pain, cloudy urine, constipation, difference in urine output, double vision, irregular heartbeat, halos around lights, indigestion, nausea, vomiting, night blindness, pale skin, red dots on skin, severe stomach pain, skin rash, swelling of the mouth, trouble breathing, tunnel vision, unusual fatigue, unusual bleeding, and weight loss. |
|
Rare Side Effects |
Anxiety, back and leg pain, bleeding gums, blindness, blistering or peeling skin, blood in the urine, blue lips or fingernails, canker sores, change in ability to see colors, chest pain, clay colored stools, cold sweats, coma, confusion, cough, cracks in the skin, darkened urine, decreased vision, depression, diarrhea, dilated neck veins, dizziness, dry cough, dry mouth, extreme fatigue, eye pain, fainting, pain, no pulse, seizures, nervousness, pounding in the ears, scaly skin, sore throat, weight gain and yellow skin or eyes. |
|
Overdose |
Bleeding under the skin, confusion about identity, place or time, restlessness, and sleepiness. |
Interactions
Medications including blood thinners, lithium, methotrexate, diuretics, steroids, aspirin, NSAIDS, and ACE inhibitors should not be taken with Naproxen. This can increase the effects of your medication to an unsafe level. Tell your doctor about any medications you take regularly to help avoid this type of negative reaction. This includes any over the counter medications or supplements you take on a regular basis.
You may need to avoid over the counter cold and allergy remedies while using Naproxen. These can increase your risk of side effects, and may contain ingredients such as aspirin that could increase your risk of developing dangerous side effects.
You should not drink alcohol while on Naproxen. This can increase the risk of stomach bleeding.
Patients may be more sensitive to UV rays while using this medication. Avoid excessive exposure to sunlight and do not use tanning booths while on this medication. If you will be spending time outdoors, wear protective clothing and at least SPF 15 on your skin to protect yourself from sunburn.