Learn more about usage, cautions, and possible side effects .
Chemical Name: NAPROXEN (na-PROX-en)
This medicine is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used to relieve pain and swelling (inflammation) associated with arthritis and certain other painful conditions. It may be used to treat other conditions as determined by your doctor. Enteric-coated tablets of naproxen are a delayed-release form of the medicine normally used to treat chronic conditions. A quicker-acting dosage form is normally used for conditions that require immediate pain relief (such as acute gout, menstrual pain, tendonitis, or bursitis).
WARNING: THE RISK OF SERIOUS AND SOMETIMES FATAL HEART PROBLEMS, HEART ATTACK, AND STROKE may be increased with the use of this medicine. This risk may be increased the longer you use this medicine. Risk may also be higher in patients who have heart problems or who are at risk for heart problems. THIS MEDICINE SHOULD NOT BE USED to treat pain before or after coronary artery "heart bypass" (CABG) surgery. THE RISK OF SERIOUS AND SOMETIMES FATAL STOMACH AND BOWEL PROBLEMS, including bleeding, ulcers, and holes in the stomach and bowel, is increased while using this medicine. These problems may occur at any time during therapy, with or without symptoms. Elderly patients are at higher risk for serious stomach problems. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information about this medicine and its side effects. Some medicines or medical conditions may interact with this medicine. INFORM YOUR DOCTOR OR PHARMACIST of all prescription and over-the-counter medicine that you are taking. DO NOT TAKE THIS MEDICINE if you are also taking aminoglycosides (such as gentamicin), or tacrolimus. ADDITIONAL MONITORING OF YOUR DOSE OR CONDITION may be needed if you are taking ACE inhibitors (such as captopril or lisinopril), beta-blockers (such as propranolol or atenolol), "blood thinners" (such as warfarin or heparin), corticosteroids (such as prednisone), medicine for diabetes (such as glyburide or metformin), sulfonamides (such as co-trimoxazole), cyclosporine, medicine for seizures (such as phenytoin), lithium, "water pills" (diuretics such as furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide, or triamterene), methotrexate, aspirin, lithium, probenecid, serotonin reuptake inhibitors (such as fluoxetine, sertraline, or paroxetine), proton pump inhibitors (such as omeprazole or lansoprazole), H2 blockers (such as cimetidine, ranitidine, or famotidine), antacids, or sucralfate. DO NOT START OR STOP any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval. Inform your doctor of any other medical conditions including diabetes, heart problems (such as heart failure or history of heart attack), swelling of the hands, feet, or ankles (edema), high blood pressure, history of stroke, blood clotting problems, stomach or bowel problems (such as bleeding or ulcers), history of tobacco use or alcohol use, kidney problems, liver problems, blood or bleeding problems (such as anemia), asthma, growths in the nose (nasal polyps), allergies, pregnancy, or breast-feeding. USE OF THIS MEDICINE IS NOT RECOMMENDED if you have a history of asthma, runny nose, or growths in your nose (nasal polyps) following the use of aspirin or any other NSAIDs; or severe kidney problems; or if you are going to have or have recently had coronary artery "heart bypass" (CABG) surgery. Contact your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns about taking this medicine.
Follow the directions for taking this medicine provided by your doctor. This medicine may come with a medication guide. Read it carefully. Ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist any questions that you may have about this medicine.SWALLOW WHOLE. Do not break, crush, or chew before swallowing. This medicine may be taken on an empty stomach or with food. TAKE THIS MEDICINE with a full glass (8 oz/240 ml) of water as directed by your doctor. DO NOT lie down for 30 minutes after taking this medicine. DO NOT TAKE ANTACIDS or other medicines which decrease stomach acid with this medicine. THIS MEDICINE MAY BE TAKEN WITH FOOD if it upsets your stomach. Taking it with food may not decrease the risk of stomach or bowel problems (such as bleeding or ulcers) that may occur while taking this medicine. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you experience persistent stomach upset. STORE THIS MEDICINE at room temperature between 59 and 86 degrees F (15-30 degrees C) in a tightly-closed container, away from heat and light. Take this medicine regularly to receive the most benefit from it. Taking this medicine at the same times each day will help you to remember. CONTINUE TO TAKE THIS MEDICINE even if you feel well. Do not miss any doses. IF YOU MISS A DOSE OF THIS MEDICINE, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.
THIS MEDICINE INCREASES YOUR RISK OF SERIOUS STOMACH OR BOWEL PROBLEMS (such as ulcers and bleeding). This risk is increased if you are elderly or are in poor health, if you have a history of smoking or drinking alcohol, if you take corticosteroid medicines (such as prednisone) or "blood thinners" (such as warfarin), or if you take this medicine for a long period of time. THIS MEDICINE MAY ALSO INCREASE YOUR RISK for certain serious heart and blood vessel problems (such as heart attack and stroke). TAKE THIS MEDICINE EXACTLY AS PRESCRIBED BY YOUR DOCTOR, at the lowest possible dose for the shortest time needed. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist for further information. DO NOT TAKE THIS MEDICINE IF YOU HAVE HAD A SEVERE ALLERGIC REACTION to aspirin or any medicine containing aspirin or a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicine (such as ibuprofen, naproxen, or celecoxib). A severe reaction includes a severe rash, hives, breathing difficulties, or dizziness. If you have a question about whether you are allergic to this medicine or if a certain medicine is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicine, contact your doctor or pharmacist. DO NOT EXCEED THE RECOMMENDED DOSE or take this medicine for longer than prescribed without checking with your doctor. Laboratory and/or medical tests, including blood counts, liver function tests, and kidney function tests, may be performed to monitor your progress or to check for side effects, especially if you are taking this medicine for a long period of time. KEEP ALL DOCTOR AND LABORATORY APPOINTMENTS while you are taking this medicine. THIS MEDICINE MAY AFFECT CERTAIN LAB TEST RESULTS. Make sure laboratory personnel and your doctors know you use this medicine. BEFORE YOU HAVE ANY MEDICAL OR DENTAL TREATMENTS, EMERGENCY CARE, OR SURGERY, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking this medicine. If you consume 3 or more alcoholic drinks every day, ask your doctor whether you should take this medicine or other pain relievers or fever reducers. DO NOT DRIVE, OPERATE MACHINERY, OR DO ANYTHING ELSE THAT COULD BE DANGEROUS until you know how you react to this medicine. BEFORE YOU BEGIN TAKING ANY NEW MEDICINE, either prescription or over-the-counter, check with your doctor or pharmacist. If you are taking aspirin as prescribed by your doctor, talk with your doctor about the use of this medicine. CAUTION IS ADVISED WHEN USING THIS MEDICINE IN CHILDREN because they may be more sensitive to the effects of this medicine. CAUTION IS ADVISED WHEN USING THIS MEDICINE IN THE ELDERLY because they may be more sensitive to the effects of this medicine, especially the risk of stomach or bowel effects (such as bleeding or ulcers), or kidney effects. FOR WOMEN: IF YOU PLAN ON BECOMING PREGNANT, discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of taking this medicine during pregnancy. THIS MEDICINE IS NOT RECOMMENDED FOR USE during the last 3 months (third trimester) of pregnancy due to the potential for fetal harm. THIS MEDICINE IS EXCRETED in breast milk. DO NOT BREAST-FEED while taking this medicine. IF YOU HAVE DIABETES and take medicine to control your blood sugar levels, this medicine may affect your blood sugar. Check blood sugar levels closely and ask your doctor before adjusting the dose of your diabetes medicine.
SIDE EFFECTS that may occur while taking this medicine include upset stomach, nausea, vomiting, heartburn, gas, headache, diarrhea, constipation, drowsiness, or dizziness. If they continue or are bothersome, check with your doctor. CONTACT YOUR DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY if you experience easy or unusual bruising or bleeding, muscle pain or weakness, changes in hearing, ringing in your ears (tinnitus), irregular heartbeat, very stiff neck, mental or mood changes, or trouble sleeping. CONTACT YOUR DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY if you experience sharp or crushing chest pain; sudden shortness of breath; sudden leg pain; sudden severe headache, vomiting, dizziness, or fainting; changes in vision; numbness of an arm or leg; slurred speech; one-sided weakness; sudden unexplained weight gain; change in amount of urine produced; severe or persistent stomach pain; vomit that looks like coffee grounds; black tarry stools; itching, reddened, swollen, blistered, painful, or peeling skin; yellowing of the skin or eyes; dark urine; right-sided tenderness; severe or persistent tiredness; fever, chills, or sore throat; severe or persistent nausea; swelling of hands, ankles, feet, face, lips, eyes, throat, or tongue; difficulty swallowing or breathing; or hoarseness. AN ALLERGIC REACTION to this medicine is unlikely but seek immediately medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include rash, itching, swelling, severe dizziness, or trouble breathing. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist. This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your healthcare provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Drug interactions can result in unwanted side effects or prevent a medicine from doing its job. Use our drug interaction checker to find out if your medicines interact with each other. Check drug interactions
If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. Symptoms of overdose may include severe stomach pain, trouble breathing, seizures, extreme drowsiness or loss of consciousness.
If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor. DO NOT SHARE THIS MEDICINE with others for whom it was not prescribed. DO NOT USE THIS MEDICINE for other health conditions. KEEP THIS MEDICINE out of the reach of children and pets. IF YOU WILL BE TAKING THIS MEDICINE FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, be sure to obtain necessary refills before your supply runs out.