Naproxen – composition, action, indications, precautions. How is Naproxen used?

Proven content

Various health problems are indications for taking Naproxen. One of them is rheumatoid arthritis, as well as juvenile chronic arthritis and osteoarthritis. Read how to take Naproxen and what side effects it can cause.

The indications for the use of Naproxen are:

1. treatment of pain of low and moderate intensity, such as: pain occurring in diseases of muscles and joints, such as mild sprains, post-exercise damage, pain in the lumbar region;
2. painful menstruation.

One tablet contains 200 mg of naproxen (Naproxenum). Excipients with known effect: 1 tablet contains 38,9 mg of lactose monohydrate and sunset yellow (E110).

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Naproxen is almost completely absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract. Bioavailability is approx. 95%. The half-life is 12 to 17 hours. After administration of naproxen, the maximum plasma concentration is reached after 2-4 hours.

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Dosage of Naproxen for adults:

2 tablets (400 mg) once in pain relief, and then, if necessary, 1 tablet every 6 to 8 hours. The daily dose of 1,5 g must not be exceeded. Do not use the medicinal product for more than 10 days in case of pain without clear medical indications. Side effects may be minimized by using the lowest effective dose for the shortest possible time necessary for symptoms to resolve.

Dosage of Naproxen in the elderly:

as the elderly are more prone to experiencing side effects, lower doses should be considered in these elderly patients.

Dosage of Naproxen in children:

The safety of Naproxen in children has not been established. Do not use in children under 16 years of age.

Dosage of Naproxen for people with severe kidney, liver or heart problems:

The dose may need to be reduced in people with severely reduced kidney, liver or heart function.

Remember that the dosage of the drug should be determined by a doctor each time. At haloDoctor.pl, you can make an online teleconsultation with the option of obtaining an e-prescription. If you are experiencing discomfort, contact us today.

Naproxen – contraindications

The main contraindication to the use of Naproxen is hypersensitivity to the active substance of the drug or to any of the excipients. Moreover, the contraindication is:

1. hypersensitivity to acetylsalicylic acid and other drugs from the group of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs),
2. bronchial asthma, urticaria or an allergic-type reaction after taking acetylsalicylic acid or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in the history of
3. gastrointestinal bleeding or perforation related to a history of NSAID use
4. stomach ulcers and / or duodenal ulcers (active or history of), perforation or bleeding, also with NSAIDs (two or more separate episodes of proven ulceration or bleeding)
5. hemorrhagic diathesis,
6. severe heart failure
7. severe renal and hepatic failure,
8. third trimester of pregnancy.

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Naproxen – precautions

Certain precautions should be taken when taking Naproxen because it reduces platelet aggregation and prolongs bleeding time.

In patients with asthma or other allergic diseases prone to bronchospasm, naproxen may increase the risk of bronchospasm. The use of naproxen in these patients is allowed only under the condition of exercising extreme caution and instructing the patient to consult a doctor immediately in the event of breathing difficulties.

In patients with hypertension and / or heart failure, special care should be taken as fluid retention, hypertension and edema have been reported in association with the use of NSAIDs.

Serious hepatic adverse reactions, including jaundice and hepatitis (some cases of hepatitis have been fatal), have been reported with the use of naproxen, as with other NSAIDs. The phenomenon of cross-reactivity has also been described.

Also talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking Naproxen if:

1. has stomach and / or intestinal diseases (such as: chronic enteritis, ulcerative duodenitis, Crohn’s disease manifested by e.g. chronic diarrhea), diseases of the anus and rectum, as the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding increases,
2. have certain skin conditions (systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) or mixed connective tissue disease). People with systemic lupus erythematosus and mixed connective tissue diseases may be at increased risk of aseptic meningitis.
3. have high blood pressure and / or heart problems due to fluid retention
4. have kidney and liver problems,
5. have a blood clotting disorder (naproxen may extend the bleeding time),
6. have heart problems
7. the woman uses an intrauterine device,
8. have bronchial asthma, chronic rhinitis, sinusitis, nasal polyps or an allergy (present or past) as bronchospasm may occur after taking this medicine
9. have heart, kidney or liver failure, are taking diuretics or have lost a lot of fluid e.g. from major surgery
10. the patient is over 65 years of age, as the risk of adverse drug reactions increases, especially gastrointestinal bleeding and perforation of the gastric or duodenal wall, which may be fatal. The patient should inform the doctor about any unusual symptoms concerning the gastrointestinal tract (especially bleeding, pain), especially at the beginning of treatment,
11. visual disturbances occur, the patient should contact an ophthalmologist,
12. the drug may mask (hide) the symptoms of an existing infection,
13. the drug may adversely affect female fertility.

Special warnings about the excipients of Naproxen:

1. Sunset Yellow – May cause allergic reactions,
2. Lactose monohydrate – this medicinal product should not be used in people with rare hereditary problems of galactose intolerance, lactase deficiency or malabsorption of glucose-galactose.

Naproxen – drug interactions

The drugs listed below should not be used together with Naproxen. Naproxen Aflofarm may influence the action of other drugs and vice versa. Anyone wishing to take this medication should inform their doctor if they are taking any of the medications listed below.

Drugs that can increase gastrointestinal bleeding:

1. acetylsalicylic acid (used to relieve pain and reduce fever such as aspirin and to prevent blood clots)
2. other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs),
3. glucocorticosteroids (medicines called steroids, used to treat, for example, bronchial asthma),
4. anti-platelet drugs (drugs that reduce the risk of blood clots forming),
5. selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (medicines used to treat depression).

Drugs that can damage the kidneys:

1. tacrolimus (a drug used to treat e.g. atopic dermatitis),
2. ciclosporin (a medicine used in organ transplant patients).

Naproxen may increase the effects of:

1. anticoagulants (drugs that prevent blood clotting, such as acenocoumarol)
2. lithium (medicine used to treat depression),
3. methotrexate (a medicine used to treat certain types of cancer and rheumatoid arthritis),
4. phenytoin, hydantoin (medicines to treat epilepsy),
5. sulphonamides (used to treat infections caused by bacteria)
6. medicines for diabetes (sulfonylureas).

Naproxen may reduce the effectiveness of:

1. medicines to lower blood pressure (e.g. propranolol)
2. water tablets (which increase urine production, such as furosemide) as there is an increased risk of kidney problems, such as increased levels of potassium in your blood (hyperkalaemia). If this occurs, you should drink plenty of fluids.
3. baclofen (a medicine that reduces the tension in the skeletal muscles).

Naproxen should not be used at the same time:

1. with zidovudine (a medicine to treat HIV infection) as bleeding time may be delayed
2. with cardiac glycosides (used to treat heart failure and heart failure), as naproxen may worsen the symptoms of heart failure and increase the concentration of cardiac glycosides in the blood,
3. with quinolone antibiotics as this will increase the risk of seizures
4. with ranitidine, sucralfate, magnesium oxide and hydroxide, aluminum hydroxide and cholestyramine (medicines to treat stomach problems) as these medicines reduce absorption of Naproxen.
5. with probenecid (used to treat gout) as it will increase the effect of Naproxen.

Naproxen should not be taken for 8 to 12 days after stopping myfepristone (drug abortion – abortion agent).

Naproxen – side effects

Certain side effects may occur while taking Naproxen. Contact your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following after taking Naproxen:

1. rash, severe swelling of the face, mouth or throat, making it difficult to breathe, speak or swallow, drop in blood pressure, slow or fast heart rate, pale, restlessness, sweating, dizziness, loss of consciousness, stopping breathing and heart beat (these are signs of a severe allergic reaction) ),
2. vomiting containing blood or grounds – similar to coffee grounds, black stools or blood in the stools (these are signs of gastrointestinal bleeding).

Common side effects include (affects 1 to 10 in 100 people):

1. dizziness, headache
2. a feeling of emptiness in the head,
3. indigestion, nausea, heartburn, stomach pain.

Uncommon side effects include (affects 1 to 10 in 1 people):

1. lethargy,
2. insomnia,
3. somnolence,
4. diarrhea, constipation, vomiting
5. rash (itchy red lumps on the skin)
6. itching
7. hives (pale pink, itchy blisters on the skin).