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Naproxen (By mouth)
Naproxen (na-PROX-en)

Treats fever and pain, including pain caused by arthritis, gout, menstrual cramps, tendinitis, headache, backache, and toothache. This is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicine (NSAID).

Brand Name(s):Prevacid NapraPAC 375, Prevacid NapraPAC 500, Naprelan, Naprosyn, Aleve, Anaprox, Anaprox DS, Aflaxen, Mediproxen, All Day Pain Relief, Rite Aid Naproxen Sodium, Aleve Arthritis, Naprelan CR, Naproxen Comfort Pac, EC Naprosyn
There may be other brand names for this medicine.

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:
You should not use this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction (including asthma) to naproxen, aspirin, or other NSAID medicines, such as diclofenac, ibuprofen, Advil®, Celebrex®, Ecotrin®, Motrin®, or Voltaren®. Do not use this medicine right before or right after having coronary artery bypass graft (CABG), a type of heart surgery.

How to Use This Medicine:
Tablet, Liquid, Coated Tablet, Long Acting Tablet

  • Your doctor will tell you how much of this medicine to use and how often. Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to.
  • If you are using prescription-strength naproxen: This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. Read and follow these instructions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions. Ask your pharmacist for the Medication Guide if you do not have one. Your doctor might ask you to sign some forms to show that you understand this information.
  • If you are using this medicine without a prescription, follow the instructions on the medicine label.
  • It is best to take this medicine with food or milk, so it does not upset your stomach. Drink a full glass of water after you take each dose.
  • Swallow the delayed-release tablet(coated tablet) whole. Do not crush, break, or chew.
  • Shake the oral liquid well just before using it. Measure the oral liquid medicine with a marked measuring spoon, oral syringe, or medicine cup.
  • For your first dose only, you might need to take a bigger dose of medicine. Make sure you understand how much medicine to take each time. Do not take more than your doctor tells you to or more than the label says to.
  • Use this medicine for the shortest time possible and in the smallest dose possible. This will help lower the risk of side effects.

If a dose is missed:

  • If you miss a dose or forget to use your medicine, use it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to use the medicine and skip the missed dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine:

  • Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Do not freeze the oral liquid.
  • Ask your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of any leftover medicine after you have finished your treatment. You will also need to throw away old medicine after the expiration date has passed.
  • Keep all medicine away from children and never share your medicine with anyone.

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 names are aspirin, diclofenac, ibuprofen, Advil®, Celebrex®, Ecotrin®, Motrin®, or Voltaren®.
  • Do not drink alcohol while you are using this medicine.
  • Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin®), a steroid such as cortisone, dexamethasone, hydrocortisone, methylprednisolone, prednisolone, prednisone, Orapred®, or a diuretic ("water pill") such as furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ), torsemide, Demadex®, Lasix®.
  • Tell your doctor if you are also using methotrexate (Rheumatrex®), lithium (Eskalith®), probenecid (Benemid®), or medicine to treat seizures (such as phenytoin, Dilantin®). Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using medicine to treat an infection (a "sulfa" drug such as trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, Bactrim®, Cotrim®, Septra®), diabetes medicine that you take by mouth (such as glyburide, Glucotrol®, Glucovance®), or a beta-blocker medicine (such as atenolol, metoprolol, propranolol, timolol, Inderal®, or Toprol®).
  • If you are using delayed-release naproxen (EC-Naprosyn®, coated naproxen), ask your doctor before using any kind of antacid or stomach medicine, including ranitidine, sucralfate, Carafate®, Pepcid®, Tagamet®, or Zantac®.

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

  • Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breast feeding. You should not use this medicine during the later part of pregnancy, unless your doctor tells you to.
  • Make sure your doctor knows if you have high blood pressure, congestive heart failure (CHF), a bleeding problem, anemia, or other heart or circulation problems. Also tell your doctor if you have liver disease, kidney disease, or asthma.
  • This medicine might cause bleeding in your stomach or intestines. This is more likely if you have had a stomach ulcer in the past, if you smoke or drink alcohol regularly, if you are over 60 years old, if you are in poor health, or if you are using certain other medicines (a steroid or a blood thinner).
  • This medicine may raise your risk of having a heart attack or stroke. This is more likely in people who already have heart disease. People who use this medicine for a long time might also have a higher risk.
  • If your symptoms do not improve or if they get worse, call your doctor.Do not use the medicine for more than 10 days to treat pain or for more than 3 days to treat fever, unless your doctor has told you to.
  • Make sure any doctor or dentist who treats you knows that you are using this medicine.
  • This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy. Avoid driving, using machines, or doing anything else that could be dangerous if you are not alert.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:
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.
  • Blood in your urine.
  • Bloody or black, tarry stools.
  • Change in how much or how often you urinate.
  • Chest pain, shortness of breath, or coughing up blood.
  • Flu-like symptoms.
  • Numbness or weakness in your arm or leg, or on one side of your body.
  • Pain in your lower leg (calf).
  • Problems with vision, speech, or walking.
  • Redness or swelling of the body area where you have pain.
  • Severe stomach pain.
  • Shortness of breath, cold sweat, and bluish-colored skin.
  • Sudden or severe headache.
  • Swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet.
  • Trouble swallowing.
  • Unusual bleeding, bruising, or weakness.
  • Vision changes.
  • Vomiting blood or something that looks like coffee grounds.
  • Yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes.

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

  • Headache.
  • Mild nausea, stomach pain, or heartburn, constipation.
  • Mild skin rash or itching.
  • Ringing in ears.

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

Copyright © 2008 Thomson Healthcare Inc. All rights reserved. Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.

The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.