We face various pains at different times in our lives. It may be an unbearable headache, or a joint pain, pain during menstruation, or other body pain. At such times, we often use a painkiller. So, Naproxen is a medicine that doctors often recommend to control such pains and swelling, and many people know about it. Today, we will talk about this medicine in detail.
What is Naproxen?
Simply put, Naproxen is a medication used to treat conditions such as pain, swelling, and arthritis. It belongs to a class of drugs called NSAIDs .
Now you may be wondering what this NSAID is. It stands for 'Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug' . In Sinhala, it is a group of drugs that do not contain steroids and reduce swelling and pain in the body. This drug can be found in the market under brand names like EC-Naprosyn.
Things you need to tell your doctor before taking this medicine
It is very important that your doctor is fully aware of your health before prescribing Naproxen to you. Be sure to tell your doctor if you have any of the following conditions:
| Medical condition/habit | What you need to inform |
|---|---|
| Respiratory diseases | If you have asthma or other breathing problems. |
| Bleeding disorders | If you have a condition that causes you to bleed easily or have difficulty clotting your blood. |
| Heart disease | If you have a heart attack, heart disease, heart failure, or have recently (within 2 weeks) undergone bypass surgery (CABG). |
| High blood pressure | If you are being treated for high blood pressure. |
| Kidney or liver disease | If you have any kidney or liver disease. |
| Digestive tract problems | If you have previously had stomach ulcers or stomach bleeding. |
| Other medications | If you are taking blood thinners (e.g. Warfarin, Aspirin) or steroids (e.g. Prednisolone). |
| Habits | If you drink alcohol or smoke frequently. |
| Allergies | If you are allergic to other NSAIDs such as naproxen, aspirin, ibuprofen, or anything else. |
| Pregnancy | If you are pregnant, trying to become pregnant, or breastfeeding. |
How should I use this medicine?
It is very important to know exactly how to use this medicine.
- Swallow the pill with a glass of water.
- Try to take it as prescribed by your doctor, at the same time every day, on time.
- This is the most important thing: Do not break, crush, or chew this pill. Swallow the pill whole. These are made to be 'delayed-release', meaning they don't dissolve in the stomach, but rather slowly dissolve in the intestines. If you break the pill, that process is lost and you may experience side effects like stomach upset.
- This pill can be taken before or after meals. However, if you experience stomach upset, it is best to take it with food.
- Continue taking the medicine as prescribed until your doctor tells you to stop.
Older people (over 65 years of age) may be more sensitive to the effects of this medicine, so they may need a lower dose.
What to do if you take too much medicine?
If you think you have taken too much of this medicine, go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department (ETU) immediately. Or call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital .
This medicine is for you only. Never share your medicine with others.
Things to consider when taking medication
There are a few things you should be especially careful about while taking naproxen.
Be aware of stomach ulcers and bleeding.
This medicine can cause stomach ulcers and bleeding. Sometimes this can happen without warning . People who smoke, drink alcohol, are older, and have other health problems are at higher risk. If you have symptoms such as stomach pain, vomit that looks like coffee grounds, or pass black, tarry stools, tell your doctor right away.
Risk of heart attack and stroke
This medicine does not prevent a heart attack or stroke. Also, long-term use of this medicine may increase your risk of heart attack or stroke, especially if you have heart disease. If you are taking a medicine such as aspirin to prevent heart attacks, talk to your doctor about taking naproxen.
Take care during pregnancy
If you are pregnant, you should think twice before taking this medicine. Taking this medicine between the 20th and 30th weeks of pregnancy may harm the baby in the womb. Avoid taking this medicine completely after the 30th week of pregnancy. This medicine may also affect your ability to get pregnant. If you have any concerns about this, talk to your doctor.
Taking with other painkillers
When taking naproxen, do not take other NSAID pain relievers, such as aspirin or ibuprofen, as this may increase side effects such as stomach upset and nausea.
Possible side effects of the medicine
Like any medication, naproxen can cause side effects. Some are serious, some are common.
| Type of side effect | Symptoms |
|---|---|
| Side effects that should be reported to your doctor immediately | |
| Allergic reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue. |
| Bleeding | Black/bloody stools, coffee grounds-colored vomit, and red/dark brown urine. |
| Heart disease/heart failure | Chest pain, shortness of breath, sudden weight gain, ankle swelling. |
| Stroke | Sudden numbness, weakness in the face/arm/leg, difficulty speaking, severe headache. |
| Kidney or liver damage | Decreased urine output, yellowing of the eyes/skin, pain in the right abdomen. |
| Serious skin reactions | Fever accompanied by redness, blistering, and peeling of the skin. |
| Things to tell your doctor if they persist or are bothersome | |
| Common side effects | Headache, nausea, indigestion, loss of appetite. |
Take-Home Message
- Naproxen is a drug in the NSAID class that is used for pain and inflammation.
- Before taking this medicine, tell your doctor about all your medical conditions and other medications you are taking.
- Never break, crush, or chew delayed-release tablets. Swallow them whole.
- Watch out for serious side effects such as stomach bleeding, heart attack, stroke, and serious skin reactions. If you notice any of these symptoms, seek medical advice immediately.
- If you are pregnant, avoid taking this medicine completely, especially after 30 weeks of pregnancy.
- If you take too much medicine, go to a hospital's emergency room (ETU) immediately.
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