When we have a body ache, a headache, or a joint ache, we immediately reach for a painkiller, right? So, one of the most commonly used painkillers that doctors recommend is Naproxen. It is usually used to treat mild to moderate pain, inflammation, and arthritis. To be precise, it belongs to the NSAID (Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drug) class of drugs. Simply put, this type of drug controls the chemicals in our body that cause pain and swelling. So today, let's talk about everything about Naproxen.
Things you need to tell your doctor before taking this medicine
Before prescribing Naproxen to you, it is very important for your doctor to know your complete health history. This is because using this medication with certain medical conditions can be dangerous. Therefore, if you have any of the following conditions, be sure to tell your doctor.
| Disease or condition | Why should you care? |
|---|---|
| Asthma or other respiratory diseases | Naproxen may worsen asthma symptoms. |
| Heart disease, heart attack, or heart failure | This drug may increase the risk of heart attack and stroke. |
| Recent bypass surgery (CABG) | Avoid taking this during the first two weeks after surgery. |
| High blood pressure | This can further increase blood pressure. |
| Kidney or Liver disease | There is a risk of damage to these organs. |
| Stomach ulcers or bleeding | This medicine may cause these conditions to return or worsen. |
| Taking blood thinners | Significantly increases the risk of bleeding. |
| Taking steroids (e.g. Dexamethasone, Prednisone) | Increases the risk of stomach ulcers. |
| Being pregnant or trying to get pregnant | This can be dangerous during pregnancy, especially in the last months. |
| Being a breastfeeding mother | The medicine can pass to the baby through breast milk. |
| Drinking alcohol or smoking | These habits increase the risk of stomach bleeding. |
How exactly do I use this medicine?
- Swallow the pill with a glass of water. Take it every day, at the prescribed time, as prescribed by your doctor.
- Do not break, crush, or chew the tablet. Swallow the tablet whole.
- If you experience stomach upset, take it with or after a meal. Taking it with food can significantly reduce stomach discomfort than taking it on an empty stomach.
- Do not stop taking your medication until your doctor tells you to.
What to do if you overdose?
If you think you have taken more medicine than you think, go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department (ETU) immediately. Or, contact the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital.Make a phone call. This is a medicine given only to you. Never share it with others.
What if I miss a dose of medication?
If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. But if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the scheduled time. Never take a double dose.
Other things that may interact with Naproxen
Some medications can cause problems when taken with Naproxen. Tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking (including vitamins and herbal remedies). Be especially careful when taking Naproxen with the following:
- Alcohol
- Aspirin
- Other NSAIDs (e.g., Ibuprofen, Ketorolac)
- Blood thinners (e.g. Warfarin)
- Drugs that affect the kidneys (e.g. Cidofovir)
- Diuretics
- Lithium
- Methotrexate
- Pemetrexed
- Probenecid
This list is not complete, so it's safest to tell your doctor about everything you're taking.
Things to be careful about while taking the medicine
Be aware of stomach bleeding and injuries.
This medicine can sometimes cause stomach ulcers and bleeding without warning . Smoking, drinking alcohol, being older, and having poor health increase this risk. If you have symptoms such as stomach pain, vomiting blood or coffee grounds, or black or bloody stools , see a doctor right away.
Risk of heart attack and stroke
Important: This medicine does not prevent heart attack or stroke. In fact, continued use may increase the risk. If you are taking aspirin to prevent heart attacks, be sure to talk to your doctor before using Naproxen.
Use during pregnancy
If you are pregnant, you should talk to your doctor before taking this medicine. Taking this medicine, especially between the 20th and 30th weeks of pregnancy, may harm the unborn baby. Do not take this medicine after the 30th week of pregnancy .
Other important points
- Drowsiness or dizziness: This medicine may make you feel drowsy or dizzy. Therefore, do not drive or operate machinery until you know how it affects you.
- Skin allergies:Sometimes, red spots, blisters, or peeling skin may occur. If this occurs along with a fever and swelling of the throat and armpits, seek medical advice immediately.
- Risk of bleeding: If you brush your teeth or otherwise injure your gums while taking this medicine, bleeding may increase. So be careful.
What side effects might I experience?
Like any medicine, Naproxen can cause side effects. Some of them are serious, while others are common.
| Serious side effects that require immediate medical attention | |
|---|---|
| Allergic reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat. |
| Bleeding | Black stools, vomiting blood or coffee grounds, and red/dark brown urine. |
| Heart attack symptoms | Chest pain or tightness, pain in the shoulder, arm, or jaw, difficulty breathing. |
| Stroke symptoms | Sudden numbness, weakness in the face, arm, or leg, difficulty speaking, difficulty walking. |
| Kidney or liver damage | Decreased urine output, swelling of the ankles and feet, yellowing of the eyes/skin, and pain in the upper right side of the abdomen. |
| Common side effects that should be reported to the doctor if they persist | |
| Headache | Frequent or severe headaches |
| Stomach ache | Severe stomach pain or discomfort |
| Nausea | Frequent nausea |
| Appetite | Persistent loss of appetite |
Some common questions you may have
Does taking Naproxen make you sleepy?
Yes, a common side effect of Naproxen is drowsiness, fatigue, or dizziness. Therefore, avoid activities that require alertness until you know how this medication affects you.
How much Naproxen can be taken safely?
Only your doctor can give you the best answer to this. Because the correct dosage varies depending on your age and medical condition. It can be very dangerous to buy this kind of medicine from a pharmacy without a doctor's prescription.
Can I take Panadol (Acetaminophen) with Naproxen?
It is not advisable to take both medications at the same time. However, if your doctor allows it, you can take the two medications alternately. For example, if you take Naproxen and the pain returns a few hours later, you can take Panadol. However, you should definitely ask your doctor before doing this.
Is Naproxen a Narcotic?
No. Naproxen is an NSAID pain reliever. Opioids, which are narcotics, work by changing the way the brain processes pain. But NSAIDs like Naproxen work by reducing inflammation at the site of pain. These are two completely different classes of drugs.
Take-Home Message
- Before taking Naproxen, tell your doctor about all medical conditions you have and all medications you take.
- Always take the medicine with or after a meal to reduce stomach upset.
- Do not take other painkillers such as Aspirin and Ibuprofen with Naproxen without medical advice.
- If you notice signs of stomach bleeding (black stools, vomiting blood) or signs of a severe allergy, see a doctor immediately.
- Long-term use of this medication may increase the risk of heart attack and stroke.
- Pregnant women and nursing mothers should completely avoid taking this medication without medical advice.
👩🏽⚕️ Additional questions (FAQs)
💬 Naproxen (Naproxen / Aleve, Naprosyn) tablets are used for what disease?
This is a super-strong painkiller! (NSAID). It is much stronger than regular Panadol (Paracetamol). Doctors use it to quickly reduce swelling and inflammation in cases of unbearable joint pain (Osteoarthritis / Rheumatoid Arthritis), severe stomach cramps during menstruation, and muscle/bone fractures.
💬 How does taking this powerful painkiller (Naproxen) stop joint inflammation and pain?
When something in our body is broken or swollen, the body produces chemicals called 'Prostaglandins' that cause pain and fever. They are made by two enzyme machines called COX-1 and COX-2. After taking this pill, it goes to the stomach and blocks both those enzyme machines 100% (Non-selective NSAID). Since the chemical that causes pain is gone, the pain and swelling in the joint disappear immediately.
💬 Why is this prohibited (Black Box Warning) for people with stomach ulcers or heart problems?
This is the most dangerous and deadly danger! Because it destroys the protective coating (Prostaglandins) in the intestine, if you continue to drink it on an empty stomach, the intestine/stomach can be perforated and you can vomit blood and die (Fatal GI bleeding). Also, if you continue to drink this, there is a high chance that blood clots will increase and the patient will suddenly have a heart attack or stroke (Heart Attack / Stroke) and die.
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