Crysanal (Naproxen Sodium)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Crysanal Used For?
Crysanal contains naproxen sodium and 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
Crysanal is used to treat different types of arthritis (including rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis and ankylosing spondylitis), muscle and bone injuries such as sprains, strains, lower back pain, rheumatism and tendonitis like tennis elbow, swelling and pain after setting broken or dislocated bones, menstrual cramps (period pain), migraine headaches, post-surgical pain, and dental pain.
How It Works
Although Crysanal 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: Crysanal is not addictive.
How to Take Crysanal
Take Crysanal exactly as your doctor has prescribed. The dose depends on both the type and severity of your pain and inflammation. Always take tablets during or immediately after food with a full glass of water or milk to help reduce the possibility of an upset stomach.
Dosage Instructions
For sprains, strains, and period pain: 550 mg (one tablet) initially, then 275 mg (half-a-tablet) every 6 to 8 hours as needed. Maximum daily dose: 1375 mg (two and a half tablets). For migraine headache: 825 mg (one and a half tablets) at first sign of migraine. Additional dose of 275 mg to 550 mg can be taken at least one hour later if needed. Maximum daily dose: 1375 mg (two and a half tablets). For different types of arthritis: 550 mg (one tablet) to 1100 mg (two tablets) daily, divided into two doses.
What If You Miss a Dose?
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 and continue taking it normally. If you have trouble remembering doses, 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 and heartburn
- loss of appetite
- constipation, diarrhea, stomach pain
- dizziness, light-headedness
- headache, drowsiness
- buzzing or ringing in the ears
- sore or dry mouth or tongue
- feeling thirsty
- itching or mild skin rashes
- fluid retention or shortness of breath
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- difficulty hearing, deafness
- severe or persistent headache
- yellowing of the skin or eyes
- bleeding or bruising more easily than normal
- reddish or purplish blotches under the skin
- fast or irregular heartbeats
- eye problems such as blurred vision
- unusual weight gain, swelling of ankles or legs
- vomiting blood or coffee ground-like material
- bleeding from back passage, black sticky bowel motions or bloody diarrhea
- severe dizziness, spinning sensation
- severe pain or tenderness in any part of the stomach
- swelling of face, lips or tongue causing difficulty swallowing
- difficulty breathing, wheezing or shortness of breath
- sudden or severe itching, skin rash or hives
- fainting, seizures or fits
- pain or tightness in the chest
- flu-like symptoms with facial rash then extended rash with high temperature and enlarged lymph nodes
Important Warnings
There are several important conditions and situations where Crysanal should not be used or requires special caution.
Who Should Not Take Crysanal
Do not use if you have allergies to naproxen sodium, aspirin or any other NSAID medicines, are vomiting blood or material that looks like coffee grounds, are bleeding from the rectum or have black sticky bowel motions or bloody diarrhea, currently have or previously had peptic ulcers, have severe liver disease, recently had or are about to have heart bypass surgery, are taking other medications containing naproxen sodium, have severe heart failure, are in the 3rd trimester of pregnancy, or are a child under 2 years of age.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have heartburn, indigestion, stomach ulcers or other stomach problems, history of vomiting blood or bleeding from back passage, bowel or intestinal problems like ulcerative colitis, kidney or liver disease, heart failure, high blood pressure or heart problems, swelling of ankles or feet, bleeding tendencies or blood problems like anemia, current infections, planned surgery, or are on a strict salt-restricted diet.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Crysanal may affect your developing baby if used during pregnancy and may impair fertility, so it’s not recommended for women attempting to conceive. Call your doctor immediately if you become pregnant while taking Crysanal. The medication passes into breast milk and the effect on babies is not known, so discuss with your doctor if breastfeeding.
Elderly Patients: Older people may be at more risk of developing stomach ulcers and may need a lower dose.
Drug Interactions
Several medications may interfere with Crysanal and affect how it works. Always tell your doctor about all medicines, vitamins or supplements you’re taking.
- antacids (medicines for indigestion and heartburn)
- aspirin, salicylates or other NSAID medicines
- diuretics (fluid or water tablets)
- lithium (for depression)
- probenecid (for gout)
- phenytoin (for epilepsy)
- methotrexate (for arthritis and some cancers)
- warfarin and heparin (blood thinners)
- blood pressure medicines including ACE inhibitors, angiotensin receptor antagonists and beta-blockers
- certain antibiotics called sulphonamides
- some diabetes medicines
- steroids (for inflammation)
- serotonin reuptake inhibitors/SSRIs (for depression)
- zidovudine (for HIV infection)
- sodium bicarbonate (for stomach upset or ulcers)
Alcohol & Driving
Crysanal may affect your ability to drive or operate machinery and can interact with alcohol.
Alcohol
Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol. If you drink alcohol while taking Crysanal, dizziness or light-headedness may be worse.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Be careful before you drive or use any machines or tools until you know how Crysanal affects you. Crysanal may cause dizziness or light-headedness in some people. If this occurs, do not drive.
Storage
Keep tablets in the blister pack until it’s time to take them. Store in a cool dry place where temperature stays below 30°C. Do not keep tablets in the refrigerator. Store away from moisture, heat or sunlight, and keep where young children cannot reach. Take any unwanted or expired medicine to any pharmacy for safe disposal.
Overdose Information
If you take too much Crysanal, you may experience drowsiness, stomach pain or tenderness, stomach upset including nausea, vomiting, heartburn, indigestion or cramps. If you think you have used too much, immediately phone the Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26), contact your doctor, or go to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital, even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.
Frequently Asked Questions
The time it takes for Crysanal to work varies depending on your condition. For acute conditions like sprains and period pain, it’s usually needed for just a few days. For arthritis, it should be taken every day as prescribed by your doctor to control pain, swelling and stiffness.
Yes, you should take Crysanal during or immediately after food with a full glass of water or milk. This helps reduce the possibility of an upset stomach.
No, Crysanal is not addictive.
The source doesn’t specify withdrawal effects, but you should follow your doctor’s instructions on how long to take Crysanal. Don’t take it for longer than your doctor says, and ask your doctor if you’re unsure how long to take it for your specific condition.
Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol. If you drink alcohol while taking Crysanal, dizziness or light-headedness may be worse.
Unusual weight gain and swelling of ankles or legs are listed as serious side effects that require immediate medical attention. Tell your doctor immediately if you notice these symptoms.
Older people may be at more risk of developing stomach ulcers, so your doctor may prescribe a lower dose. It’s important for elderly patients to discuss their medical history with their doctor before taking Crysanal.
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.