Medicines

Naproxen

Sounds like 'nah-PROX-en'

Overview
Clinicians

Easy-to-read medicine information about naproxen – what it is, how to take naproxen safely and possible side effects.

Type of medicine	Also called
Analgesics (pain killer) Anti-inflammatory Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID)	Noflam® Naxen® Naprosyn® Naprosyn SR®

What is naproxen?

Naproxen is one of a group of medicines known as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
It is used to treat different types of pain such as muscle pain, dental pain, migraine and pain resulting from injury or after surgery.
Naproxen also helps to ease redness and swelling caused by injury, and acute gout attacks.
It blocks the inflammation process in your body and in this way eases swelling and pain.

Dose

The dose of naproxen will be different for different people.
Always take your naproxen exactly as your doctor has told you. The pharmacy label on your medicine will tell you how much naproxen to take, how often to take it, and any special instructions.

How to take naproxen

Take naproxen with food or immediately after food, to prevent stomach upset.
Take naproxen with a full glass of water.
Swallow the tablets whole. Do not crush or chew them.
Limit or avoid alcohol while you are taking naproxen. Alcohol can increase the risk of stomach side effects.
It is not harmful if you miss your naproxen dose. If you miss a dose, take it when you remember, with or after food. Do not take double the amount of tablets.

Take care

For most people, taking naproxen is safe. However, extra care is needed if you have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, your kidney do not work very well or you smoke.
Discuss with your doctor if taking naproxen is suitable for you.
Non-aspirin nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as naproxen increase the chance of a heart attack or stroke, either of which can lead to death. These serious side effects can occur as early as the first weeks of using an NSAID and the risk may increase the longer you are taking an NSAID.
The risk appears greater at higher doses; use the lowest effective amount for the shortest possible time.
Seek medical attention immediately if you experience symptoms such as:
- chest pain
- shortness of breath or trouble breathing
- sudden weakness or numbness in one part or side of the body
- sudden slurred speech.
Many medicines contain NSAIDs, including those used for colds, flu, so it is important to read the labels and avoid taking multiple medicines that contain NSAIDs.

Possible side effects

Like all medicines, naproxen can cause unwanted side effects, although not everyone gets them. Often unwanted side effects improve as your body adjusts to the new medicine.

Side effects	What should I do?
Heartburn Indigestion Stomach discomfort	Take naproxen with food.
Serious stomach problems such as really bad stomach pain, blood in the stool or black stools, cough or vomit up blood or dark coloured vomit.	Tell your doctor immediately or ring HealthLine on 0800 611 116
Allergic reaction such as skin rash, itching, swelling of the lips, face, and mouth or difficulty breathing	Tell your doctor immediately or ring HealthLine on 0800 611 116
Chest pain Shortness of breath or trouble breathing Weakness in one part or side of the body Slurred speech	Tell your doctor immediately or ring HealthLine on 0800 611 116

Interactions

Naproxen interacts with some important medications, so check with your doctor or pharmacist:
Do not take other NSAID medication such as ibuprofen or diclofenac while taking naproxen.

Learn more

Medsafe Consumer Information Sheets:

Naprosyn SR Modified release tablet

Naxen

Noflam

New Zealand Formulary Patient Information
Naproxen

Credits: Sandra Ponen, Pharmacist. Reviewed By: Dr J Bycroft. Health Navigator NZ Last reviewed: 13 Jul 2015 Page last updated: 11 Nov 2015

Information for clinicians

Alerts

FDA strengthens warning that non-aspirin nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can cause heart attacks or strokes. FDA Safety Communication, July 2015
- NSAIDs cause an increased risk of serious cardiovascular thrombotic events, including myocardial infarction and stroke, either of which can be fatal. There are a large number of studies that support this finding, with varying estimates of how much the risk is increased. Estimates of increased risk range from 10 percent to 50 percent or more, depending on the drugs and the doses studied. This risk may occur as early as the first weeks of treatment and may increase with duration of use.
- Remain alert for the development of cardiovascular adverse events throughout the patient’s entire treatment course, even in the absence of previous cardiovascular symptoms.
- Inform patients to seek medical attention immediately if they experience symptoms of heart attack or stroke such as chest pain, shortness of breath or trouble breathing, sudden weakness or numbness in one part or side of the body, or sudden slurred speech.
- Based on available data, it is unclear whether the risk for cardiovascular thrombotic events is similar for all non-aspirin NSAIDs.
- The increase in cardiovascular thrombotic risk has been observed most consistently at higher doses.
- The relative increase in serious cardiovascular thrombotic events over baseline conferred by NSAID use appears to be similar in those with and without known cardiovascular disease or risk factors for cardiovascular disease. However, patients with known cardiovascular disease or risk factors had a higher absolute incidence of serious cardiovascular thrombotic events due to their increased baseline rate.
- To minimize the risk for an adverse cardiovascular event in patients treated with an NSAID, prescribe the lowest effective dose for the shortest duration possible.
- Some NSAIDs, including those in OTC products such as ibuprofen and naproxen, can interfere with the antiplatelet action of low dose aspirin used for cardioprotection by blocking aspirin’s irreversible COX-1 inhibition.
The Triple Whammy-Safe Prescribing - A Dangerous Trio (SAFE Rx Bulletin)
- ACE inhibitor or angiotensin II receptor antagonist ('sartan')
- Diuretic
- NSAID or Coxib

Medsafe NZ Data sheets