naproxen uses
(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 uses.
• Do not crush or chew any extended-release forms of naproxen naproxen uses. Swallowthem whole naproxen uses. They are specially formulated to release slowly in your body naproxen uses. Askyour pharmacist if you do not know if you have an extended-release formulation naproxen uses.
• Watch for bloody, black, or tarry stools or blood in your vomit naproxen uses. Thesesymptoms could indicate damage to your gastrointestinal tract naproxen uses.
• If you drink more than three alcoholic beverages a day, naproxen mayincrease the risk of stomach bleeding naproxen uses.
• Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardousactivities naproxen uses. Naproxen may cause dizziness naproxen uses. If you experience dizziness, avoidthese activities naproxen uses.
What is naproxen?
• Naproxen is in a class of drugs called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatorydrugs (NSAIDs) naproxen uses.
• Naproxen works by reducing hormones that cause inflammation and painin the body naproxen uses. 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 uses.
• Naproxen may also be used for purposes other than those listed in thismedication guide naproxen uses.
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 uses.
• 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 uses.
• Naproxen is in the FDA pregnancy category B naproxen uses. This means that it is unlikelyto harm an unborn baby naproxen uses. Naproxen should not be taken late in pregnancy (thethird trimester) because a similar drug is known to affect the baby's heart naproxen uses. Do not take naproxen without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant naproxen uses.
• Naproxen passes into breast milk and may harm a nursing infant naproxen uses. Do nottake this medicine without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feedinga baby naproxen uses.
How should I take naproxen?
• Take naproxen exactly as directed by your doctor naproxen uses. If you do not understandthese instructions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them toyou naproxen uses.
• Take each dose with a full glass of water naproxen uses.
• Take naproxen with milk, food, or an antacid to lessen stomach upset naproxen uses.
• Do not crush or chew any extended-release forms of naproxen naproxen uses. Swallowthem whole naproxen uses. These are specially formulated to release slowly in your body naproxen uses. Askyour pharmacist if you do not know if you have an extended release formulation naproxen uses.
• 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 uses. Ifyou do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist where you can getone naproxen uses. Shake the suspension well
• Store naproxen at room temperature away from moisture and heat naproxen uses.
What happens if I miss a dose?
• Take the missed dose as soon as you remember up to 2 hours late naproxen uses. If morethan 2 hours have passed since the missed dose, skip it and take only your nextregularly scheduled dose naproxen uses. Do not take a double dose naproxen uses.
What happens if I overdose?
• Seek emergency medical attention naproxen uses.
• 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 uses.
What should I avoid while taking naproxen?
• Avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight naproxen uses. Naproxen may increase the sensitivityof your skin to sunlight naproxen uses. Use a sunscreen and wear protective clothing whenexposure to the sun is unavoidable naproxen uses.
• Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardousactivities naproxen uses. Naproxen may cause dizziness naproxen uses. If you experience dizziness, avoidthese activities naproxen uses.
• If you drink more than three alcoholic beverages a day, naproxen mayincrease the risk of stomach bleeding naproxen uses.
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 uses.
• Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur naproxen uses. 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 uses.
• Side effects other than those listed here may also occur naproxen uses. Talk to yourdoctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome naproxen uses.
What other drugs will affect naproxen?
• Other prescription and over-the-counter drugs may increase the effectsof naproxen and cause dangerous side effects naproxen uses. 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 uses.
• 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 uses.
• Talk to your doctor before taking naproxen if you are taking any of themedicines listed above naproxen uses.
• Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with naproxen naproxen uses. Talkto your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-countermedicines naproxen uses.
Where can I get more information?
• Your pharmacist has additional information about naproxen written forhealth professionals that you may read naproxen uses.
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