Inza (Naproxen)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Inza Used For?
Inza contains naproxen, which belongs to a group of medicines called Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs). It helps relieve pain and reduce inflammation in various conditions.
Primary Uses
Inza is used to treat different types of arthritis (rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, ankylosing spondylitis), muscle and bone injuries like sprains and strains, lower back pain, rheumatism, tendonitis (tennis elbow), pain after setting broken or dislocated bones, menstrual cramps (period pain), headaches including migraines, post-surgical pain, and dental pain.
How It Works
Although Inza can relieve the symptoms of pain and inflammation, it will not cure your underlying condition. It works by reducing inflammation, swelling, redness and soreness.
Good to know: Inza is not addictive and is only available with a doctor’s prescription.
How to Take Inza
Take Inza exactly as your doctor has prescribed. The dosage varies depending on your condition and age, with older patients potentially receiving lower doses.
Dosage Instructions
For sprains, strains, and period pain: 500 mg initially, then 250 mg every 6-8 hours as needed (maximum 1250 mg per day). For migraine headache: 750 mg at first sign, with additional 250-500 mg at least one hour later if needed (maximum 1250 mg per day). For arthritis: 375-1000 mg daily, divided into two doses. Take tablets during or immediately after food with a full glass of water or milk to reduce stomach upset.
What If You Miss a Dose?
If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose as scheduled. Otherwise, take it as soon as you remember and continue normally. If you have trouble remembering, ask your pharmacist for helpful tips.
Important: Never take a double dose to make up for a missed dose.
Available Tablet Strengths
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:
- stomach upset including nausea, heartburn, indigestion
- loss of appetite
- constipation, diarrhea, stomach pain
- dizziness, light-headedness
- headache, drowsiness
- buzzing or ringing in ears
- sore or dry mouth or tongue
- feeling thirsty
- aching muscles, muscle tenderness or weakness
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- vomiting blood or coffee-ground-like material
- bleeding from rectum, black sticky bowel movements, bloody diarrhea
- severe dizziness or spinning sensation
- severe stomach pain or tenderness
- swelling of face, lips, or tongue causing difficulty swallowing or breathing
- difficulty breathing, wheezing, shortness of breath
- sudden or severe itching, skin rash, hives
- fainting, seizures or fits
- chest pain or tightness
- flu-like symptoms with facial rash, then extended rash with high fever and enlarged lymph nodes
- difficulty hearing, deafness
- severe or persistent headache
- severe skin rashes
- yellowing of skin or eyes
- unusual bleeding or bruising
- fast or irregular heartbeats
- eye problems like blurred vision, sore red eyes
- unusual weight gain, ankle or leg swelling
Important Warnings
There are several important situations where Inza should not be used, and medical conditions that require careful monitoring.
Who Should Not Take Inza
Do not use if you’re allergic to naproxen, aspirin, or other NSAIDs; currently vomiting blood or have coffee-ground-like vomit; bleeding from rectum or have black sticky bowel movements; have current or previous peptic ulcers; have severe liver disease; recently had or about to have heart bypass surgery; taking other naproxen-containing medications; have severe heart failure; are in the 3rd trimester of pregnancy; or are under 2 years old.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have allergies, heartburn, stomach problems, bowel issues like ulcerative colitis, kidney or liver disease, heart failure, high blood pressure, ankle/feet swelling, bleeding tendencies, blood problems like anemia, current infections, or are planning surgery. Older people may be at higher risk of stomach ulcers.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Inza may affect your developing baby during pregnancy. Your doctor will discuss risks and benefits if treatment is necessary. Inza may impair fertility and is not recommended for women trying to conceive. It passes into breast milk, so discuss with your doctor if breastfeeding.
Call doctor immediately: Contact your doctor straight away if you become pregnant while taking Inza.
Drug Interactions
Several medications can interfere with Inza and affect how it works. Always tell your doctor about all medicines you’re taking.
- antacids for indigestion and heartburn
- aspirin, salicylates or other NSAID medicines
- cholestyramine for high cholesterol
- diuretics (water tablets)
- lithium for depression
- probenecid for gout
- phenytoin for epilepsy
- methotrexate for arthritis and cancer
- sucralfate for stomach ulcers
- warfarin and heparin (blood thinners)
- blood pressure medicines (ACE inhibitors, angiotensin receptor antagonists, beta-blockers)
- diabetes medicines
- sodium bicarbonate for stomach upset
- steroids for inflammation
- SSRIs for depression
- zidovudine for HIV infection
Alcohol & Driving
Inza may affect your ability to drive safely and can interact with alcohol to worsen certain side effects.
Alcohol
Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol. Drinking alcohol while taking Inza may worsen dizziness or light-headedness.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Be careful before driving or using machines until you know how Inza affects you. Inza may cause dizziness or light-headedness in some people. If this occurs, do not drive or operate machinery.
Storage
Keep tablets in the original bottle until time to take them. Store in a cool, dry place below 30°C, away from moisture, heat, and sunlight. Do not store in the bathroom, car, or on window-sills. Do not refrigerate. Keep away from children. Take expired or unwanted medicine to any pharmacy for safe disposal.
Overdose Information
If you take too much Inza, you may experience drowsiness, stomach pain or tenderness, stomach upset including nausea, vomiting, heartburn, indigestion, or cramps. For overdose, immediately phone the Poisons Information Centre (Australia 13 11 26), contact your doctor, or go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department, even if you feel fine.
Frequently Asked Questions
The onset time varies by condition. For acute pain like sprains or period pain, relief may begin within hours. For arthritis, it should be taken daily as prescribed by your doctor to control ongoing pain, swelling, and stiffness.
Yes, you should take Inza tablets during or immediately after food with a full glass of water or milk. This helps reduce the possibility of stomach upset.
No, Inza is not addictive. It is a prescription-only medicine that works by reducing inflammation and pain.
Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol. Drinking alcohol while taking Inza may worsen dizziness or light-headedness that can occur with this medication.
If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose when scheduled. Otherwise, take it as soon as you remember. Never take a double dose to make up for a missed dose.
Older people may be at higher risk of developing stomach ulcers, so doctors may prescribe a lower dose. It’s important for elderly patients to be closely monitored while taking Inza.
The duration depends on your condition. For sprains and strains, it’s usually needed for only a few days. For arthritis, it should be taken daily for as long as your doctor prescribes. Don’t take it longer than your doctor recommends.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.