naproxen patient information
(na PROX en)
Aleve, Aleve Caplet, Anaprox, Anaprox-DS, EC Naprosyn, Naprelan, Naprosyn
What is the most important information I should know about naproxen?
• Take naproxen with food, milk, or an antacid to lessen stomach upset naproxen patient information.
• Do not crush or chew any extended-release forms of naproxen naproxen patient information. Swallowthem whole naproxen patient information. They are specially formulated to release slowly in your body naproxen patient information. Askyour pharmacist if you do not know if you have an extended-release formulation naproxen patient information.
• Watch for bloody, black, or tarry stools or blood in your vomit naproxen patient information. Thesesymptoms could indicate damage to your gastrointestinal tract naproxen patient information.
• If you drink more than three alcoholic beverages a day, naproxen mayincrease the risk of stomach bleeding naproxen patient information.
• Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardousactivities naproxen patient information. Naproxen may cause dizziness naproxen patient information. If you experience dizziness, avoidthese activities naproxen patient information.
What is naproxen?
• Naproxen is in a class of drugs called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatorydrugs (NSAIDs) naproxen patient information.
• Naproxen works by reducing hormones that cause inflammation and painin the body naproxen patient information. Naproxen is used to reduce pain, inflammation, and stiffness causedby many conditions, such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, ankylosingspondylitis, injury, abdominal cramps associated with menstruation, tendinitis,and bursitis naproxen patient information.
• Naproxen may also be used for purposes other than those listed in thismedication guide naproxen patient information.
Who should not take naproxen?
• Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you
· have an allergy to aspirin or any other NSAIDs,
· have an ulcer or bleeding in your stomach,
· drink more than three alcoholic beverages a day,
· have liver disease,
· have kidney disease,
· have a coagulation (bleeding) disorder,
· have congestive heart failure,
· have fluid retention,
· have heart disease, or
· have high blood pressure naproxen patient information.
• You may not be able to take naproxen, or you may require a dosage adjustmentor special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listedabove naproxen patient information.
• Naproxen is in the FDA pregnancy category B naproxen patient information. This means that it is unlikelyto harm an unborn baby naproxen patient information. Naproxen should not be taken late in pregnancy (thethird trimester) because a similar drug is known to affect the baby's heart naproxen patient information. Do not take naproxen without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant naproxen patient information.
• Naproxen passes into breast milk and may harm a nursing infant naproxen patient information. Do nottake this medicine without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feedinga baby naproxen patient information.
How should I take naproxen?
• Take naproxen exactly as directed by your doctor naproxen patient information. If you do not understandthese instructions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them toyou naproxen patient information.
• Take each dose with a full glass of water naproxen patient information.
• Take naproxen with milk, food, or an antacid to lessen stomach upset naproxen patient information.
• Do not crush or chew any extended-release forms of naproxen naproxen patient information. Swallowthem whole naproxen patient information. These are specially formulated to release slowly in your body naproxen patient information. Askyour pharmacist if you do not know if you have an extended release formulation naproxen patient information.
• To ensure that you get a correct dose, measure the liquid form of naproxenwith a special dose-measuring spoon or cup, not with a regular tablespoon naproxen patient information. Ifyou do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist where you can getone naproxen patient information. Shake the suspension well
• Store naproxen at room temperature away from moisture and heat naproxen patient information.
What happens if I miss a dose?
• Take the missed dose as soon as you remember up to 2 hours late naproxen patient information. If morethan 2 hours have passed since the missed dose, skip it and take only your nextregularly scheduled dose naproxen patient information. Do not take a double dose naproxen patient information.
What happens if I overdose?
• Seek emergency medical attention naproxen patient information.
• Symptoms of a naproxen overdose include nausea, vomiting, stomach pain,dizziness, drowsiness, headache, ringing in the ears, blurred vision, seizures,sweating, numbness or tingling, little or no urine production, and slow breathing naproxen patient information.
What should I avoid while taking naproxen?
• Avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight naproxen patient information. Naproxen may increase the sensitivityof your skin to sunlight naproxen patient information. Use a sunscreen and wear protective clothing whenexposure to the sun is unavoidable naproxen patient information.
• Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardousactivities naproxen patient information. Naproxen may cause dizziness naproxen patient information. If you experience dizziness, avoidthese activities naproxen patient information.
• If you drink more than three alcoholic beverages a day, naproxen mayincrease the risk of stomach bleeding naproxen patient information.
What are the possible side effects of naproxen?
• If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop takingnaproxen and seek medical treatment or call your doctor immediately:
· an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat;swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives);
· muscle cramps, numbness, or tingling;
· ulcers (open sores) in the mouth;
· rapid weight gain (fluid retention);
· seizures;
· black, bloody, or tarry stools;
· blood in your urine or vomit;
· decreased hearing or ringing in the ears;
· yellowing of your skin or eyes (jaundice); or
· abdominal cramping, heartburn, or indigestion naproxen patient information.
• Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur naproxen patient information. Continueto take naproxen and talk to your doctor if you experience
· dizziness or headache;
· nausea, gaseousness, diarrhea, or constipation;
· depression;
· fatigue or weakness;
· dry mouth; or
· irregular menstrual periods naproxen patient information.
• Side effects other than those listed here may also occur naproxen patient information. Talk to yourdoctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome naproxen patient information.
What other drugs will affect naproxen?
• Other prescription and over-the-counter drugs may increase the effectsof naproxen and cause dangerous side effects naproxen patient information. Tell your doctor if you are takingany of the following drugs:
· other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen(Motrin, Rufen, others), ketoprofen (Orudis, Orudis KT, Oruvail);
· other commonly used NSAIDs, including diclofenac (Voltaren, Cataflam),etodolac (Lodine), fenoprofen (Nalfon), flurbiprofen (Ansaid), indomethacin(Indocin), ketorolac (Toradol), nabumetone (Relafen), oxaprozin (Daypro), piroxicam(Feldene), sulindac (Clinoril), or tolmetin (Tolectin);
· aspirin and other salicylates (forms of aspirin) such as salsalate(Disalcid), choline salicylate, and magnesium salicylate (watch the aspirincontent of other over-the-counter products such as cough, cold, and allergymedicines);
· diuretics (water pills) such as hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ, Hydrodiuril,others), chlorothiazide (Diuril, others), chlorthalidone (Thalitone), bumetanide(Bumex), ethacrynic acid (Edecrin), furosemide (Lasix), spironolactone (Aldactone),and amiloride (Midamor);
· anticoagulants such as warfarin (Coumadin);
· steroids such as prednisone (Deltasone);
· alcohol;
· oral antidiabetic drugs such as glipizide (Glucotrol) and glyburide(Micronase, Diabeta);
· lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid, others);
· cyclosporine (Sandimmune, Neoral); or
· bismuth subsalicylate in drugs such as Pepto-Bismol naproxen patient information.
• Naproxen can also decrease the effects of other drugs, such as
· angiotensin-converting-enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, used to treat highblood pressure and other conditions, such as benazepril (Lotensin) and captopril(Capoten);
· other commonly used ACE inhibitors, including enalapril (Vasotec),fosinopril (Monopril), lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril), moexipril (Univasc),quinapril (Accupril), and ramipril (Altace); and
· beta-blockers, used to treat high blood pressure and other conditions,such as acebutolol (Sectral), metoprolol (Lopressor), propranolol (Inderal),atenolol (Tenormin), and carteolol (Cartrol) naproxen patient information.
• Talk to your doctor before taking naproxen if you are taking any of themedicines listed above naproxen patient information.
• Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with naproxen naproxen patient information. Talkto your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-countermedicines naproxen patient information.
Where can I get more information?
• Your pharmacist has additional information about naproxen written forhealth professionals that you may read naproxen patient information.
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