American Pharmacy

Naprosyn (Generic)

Naprosyn (Naproxen) is in a class of meds called NSAIDs. They work by reducing the levels of prostaglandins, chemicals that are responsible for pain, fever and inflammation. Naproxen blocks the enzyme that makes prostaglandins (cyclooxygenase), resulting in lower concentrations of prostaglandins. As a consequence, inflammation, pain and fever are reduced. Naprosyn also marketed as: Aleve, Anaprox, Naprosyn.

Generic Naprosyn 500mg Pills

Generic Naprosyn 250mg Pills

Uses

Naproxen (na prox' en) is used for treating rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and juvenile arthritis. It is used to treat tendonitis, bursitis, gout, menstrual cramps, or mild to moderate pain. Naproxen is also sometimes used to treat Paget's disease of bone (a condition in which the bones become abnormally thick, fragile, and misshapen) and Bartter's syndrome (a condition in which the body does not absorb enough potassium, causing muscle cramping and weakness and other symptoms). Talk to your doctor about the risks of using this medication for your condition.

How to take

Naproxen comes as a regular tablet to take by mouth. The tablets are usually taken twice a day for arthritis, every 8 hours for gout, and every 6-8 hours as needed for pain. If you are taking Naproxen on a regular basis, you should take it at the same time(s) every day. Take Naproxen exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor. If you are taking Naproxen to relieve the symptoms of arthritis, your symptoms could begin to improve within 1 week. It could take 2 weeks or longer for you to feel the full benefit of the medication.

Side effects

Stop taking Naproxen and call your doctor if your symptoms get worse, you develop new or unexpected symptoms, the part of your body that was painful becomes red or swollen, your pain lasts for more than 10 days, or your fever lasts for more than 3 days.
The most common side effects from Naproxen are rash, ringing in the ears, headaches, dizziness, drowsiness, abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea, constipation, heartburn, fluid retention and shortness of breath. Naproxen also could cause stomach and intestinal bleeding and ulcers. Sometimes, stomach ulceration and intestinal bleeding can occur without any abdominal pain. Black tarry stools, weakness, and dizziness upon standing could be the only signs of intestinal bleeding. People who are allergic to other NSAIDs must not use Naproxen.
Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away: constipation, diarrhea, gas, sores in mouth, excessive thirst, headache, dizziness, lightheadedness, drowsiness, difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep; burning or tingling in the arms or legs; cold symptoms, ringing in the ears, hearing problems.
Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately. Do not take any more Naproxen until you speak to your doctor: alterations in vision, feeling that the tablet is stuck in your throat; unexplained weight gain, sore throat, fever, chills, and other signs of infection; blisters, rash, skin reddening, itching, hives, swelling of the eyes, face, lips, tongue, throat, arms, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs; difficulty breathing or swallowing; hoarseness, excessive tiredness, pain in the upper right part of the stomach; upset stomach, loss of appetite, yellowing of the skin or eyes; flu-like symptoms, bruises or purple blotches under the skin; pale skin, fast heartbeat, cloudy, discolored, or bloody urine; back pain, difficult or painful urination.
Naproxen could cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while you happen to be taking this medication.
Symptoms of overdose could include: dizziness, extreme tiredness, confusion, drowsiness, stomach pain, heartburn, upset stomach, vomiting, slow or difficult breathing; decreased urination. If you suspect an overdose of Naproxen, seek medical attention immediately.

Precaution

People who take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory meds (NSAIDs) (other than aspirin) such as Naproxen could have a higher risk of having a heart attack or a stroke than people who do not take these meds. These events could happen without warning and could cause death. This risk could be higher for people who take NSAIDs for a long time. Tell your doctor if you or anyone in your family has or has ever had heart disease, a heart attack, or a stroke, if you smoke, and if you have or have ever had high cholesterol, high blood pressure, or diabetes. Get emergency medical help right away if you experience any of the following symptoms: chest pain, shortness of breath, weakness in one part or side of the body, or slurred speech. If you will be undergoing a coronary artery bypass graft (CABG; a type of heart surgery), you must not take Naproxen right before or right after the surgery. NSAIDs such as Naproxen could cause ulcers, bleeding, or holes in the stomach or intestine. These problems could develop at any time during treatment, could happen without warning symptoms, and could cause death. The risk could be higher for people who take NSAIDs for a long time, are older in age, have poor health, or who drink three or more alcoholic drinks per day while you happen to be taking Naproxen. Tell your doctor if you take any of the following meds: anticoagulants ('blood thinners') such as warfarin (Coumadin); aspirin; other NSAIDs such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and ketoprofen (Orudis KT, Actron); or oral steroids such as dexamethasone (Decadron, Dexone), methylprednisolone (Medrol), and prednisone (Deltasone). Also tell your doctor if you have or have ever had ulcers, bleeding in your stomach or intestines, or other bleeding disorders. If you experience any of the following symptoms, stop taking Naproxen and call your doctor: stomach pain, heartburn, vomiting a substance that is bloody or looks like coffee grounds, blood in the stool, or black and tarry stools. Your doctor will monitor your symptoms carefully and will probably order certain tests to check your body's response to Naproxen. Be sure to tell your doctor how you are feeling so that your doctor can prescribe the right amount of medication to treat your condition with the lowest risk of serious side effects. Tell your doctor if you have been told to follow a low sodium diet and if you have or have ever had asthma, especially if you also have frequent stuffed or runny nose or nasal polyps (swelling of the inside of the nose); swelling of the hands, arms, feet, ankles, or lower legs; anemia (red blood cells do not bring enough oxygen to all parts of the body); or liver or kidney disease. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, especially if you are in the last few months of your pregnancy, you plan to become pregnant, or you are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while you happen to be taking Naproxen, call your doctor. If you are having surgery, which could possibly comprise dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking Naproxen. You should know that this medication could make you dizzy, drowsy, or depressed. Do not drive a car or operate machinery until you know how this drug affects you. remember that alcohol can add to the drowsiness caused by this medication. There are no adequate studies of Naproxen in pregnant women. Therefore, Naproxen is not recommended during pregnancy. Most NSAIDs, which could possibly comprise Naproxen, are excreted in breast milk. In general, breast feeding mothers should avoid the use of NSAIDs.

Drug interactions

Before taking Naproxen, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to Naproxen, aspirin or other NSAIDs such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and ketoprofen (Orudis KT, Actron), any meds for pain or fever, or any other meds. Tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription meds, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention any of the following: angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors such as benazepril (Lotensin), captopril (Capoten), enalapril (Vasotec), fosinopril (Monopril), lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril), moexipril (Univasc), perindopril (Aceon), quinapril (Accupril), ramipril (Altace), and trandolapril (Mavik); beta blockers such as atenolol (Tenormin), labetalol (Normodyne), metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL), nadolol (Corgard), and propranolol (Inderal); diuretics ('water pills'); lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid), meds for diabetes, methotrexate (Rheumatrex); phenytoin (Dilantin); probenecid (Benemid); and sulfa antibiotics such as sulfisoxazole (Gantrisin) and sulfamethoxazole (in Bactrim, in Septra). If you are taking the enteric coated tablets, also tell your doctor if you are taking antacids or sucralfate (Carafate). Your doctor could need to change the doses of your medication or monitor you more carefully for side effects. Do not take Naproxen with any other medication for pain unless your doctor tells you that you should. Naproxen is associated with several suspected or probable interactions that affect the action of other drugs. The following examples are the most common suspected interactions. Naproxen could increase the blood levels of lithium (Eskalith) by reducing the excretion of lithium by the kidneys. Increased levels of lithium could lead to lithium toxicity. Naproxen could reduce the blood pressure lowering effects of blood pressure meds. This could occur because prostaglandins play a role in the regulation of blood pressure. When Naproxen is used in combination with aminoglycosides (e.g., gentamicin) the blood levels of the aminoglycoside could increase, presumably because the elimination of aminoglycosides from the body is reduced. This could lead to more aminoglycoside-related side effects. Individuals taking oral blood thinners or anticoagulants (e.g., warfarin) should avoid Naproxen because Naproxen also thins the blood, and excessive blood thinning could lead to bleeding.

Missed dose

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

Storage

Room temperature: 15-30° C (59-86° F).