Naprosyn (Naproxen)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Naprosyn Used For?
Naprosyn contains naproxen and belongs to a group of medicines called Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs). It helps relieve pain and reduce inflammation, though it will not cure your underlying condition.
Primary Uses
Naprosyn is used to treat different types of arthritis (including rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis), muscle and bone injuries like sprains and strains, lower back pain, rheumatism, tendonitis (such as tennis elbow), pain after setting broken or dislocated bones, menstrual cramps (period pain), headaches including migraines, pain following surgery, and dental pain.
Good to know: Naprosyn is not addictive.
How to Take Naprosyn
Take Naprosyn exactly as your doctor has prescribed. The tablets should be taken 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: 500 mg initially, then 250 mg every 6 to 8 hours as needed (maximum 1250 mg per day). For migraine headache: 750 mg at first sign of migraine, with an 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. Older patients may receive lower 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 at the regular time. Otherwise, take it as soon as you remember and continue with your normal schedule.
Important: Do not take a double dose to make up for the dose you missed.
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 the ears
- Sore or dry mouth or tongue
- Feeling thirsty
- Aching muscles, muscle tenderness or weakness
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- Difficulty hearing, deafness
- Severe or persistent headache
- Severe skin rashes
- Yellowing of 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, sore red eyes, itching
- Unusual weight gain, swelling of ankles or legs
- Vomiting blood or coffee ground-like material
- Bleeding from rectum, black sticky bowel motions, 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, shortness of breath
- Sudden or severe itching, skin rash, hives
- Fainting, seizures or fits
- Pain or tightness in chest
- Flu-like symptoms with facial rash, then extended rash with high temperature and enlarged lymph nodes
Important Warnings
There are several important situations where Naprosyn should not be used, and medical conditions that require careful monitoring.
Who Should Not Take Naprosyn
Do not use if you are allergic to naproxen, aspirin, or any other NSAID medicines; if you are vomiting blood or material that looks like coffee grounds; if you have bleeding from the rectum, black sticky bowel motions, or bloody diarrhea; if you currently have or have had peptic ulcers; if you have severe liver disease; if you recently had or are about to have heart bypass surgery; if you are taking other naproxen-containing medications; if you have severe heart failure; if you are in the 3rd trimester of pregnancy; or if the patient is 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 the back passage; bowel 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; or if you plan to have surgery.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Naprosyn may affect your developing baby if taken during pregnancy. It may impair fertility and is not recommended for women attempting to conceive. Naprosyn passes into breast milk, and the effect on the baby is not known. Discuss risks and benefits with your doctor.
Elderly Patients: Older people may be at higher risk of developing stomach ulcers and may need lower doses.
Drug Interactions
Some medicines may interfere with Naprosyn and affect how it works. Tell your doctor about all medicines you are taking.
- Antacids (medicines for indigestion and heartburn)
- Aspirin, salicylates, or other NSAID medicines
- Cholestyramine (for high cholesterol)
- Diuretics (fluid or water tablets)
- Lithium (for depression)
- Probenecid (for gout)
- Phenytoin (for epilepsy)
- Methotrexate (for arthritis and some cancers)
- Sucralfate (for stomach ulcers)
- Warfarin and heparin (blood thinners)
- Blood pressure medicines (ACE inhibitors, angiotensin receptor antagonists, beta-blockers)
- Some diabetes medicines
- Sodium bicarbonate (for stomach upset)
- Steroids (for inflammation)
- SSRIs (antidepressants)
- Zidovudine (for HIV infection)
Alcohol & Driving
Naprosyn may cause dizziness or light-headedness in some people, which can be worsened by alcohol consumption.
Alcohol
Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol. If you drink alcohol, 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 Naprosyn affects you. If you experience dizziness or light-headedness, 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 out of reach of children.
Overdose Information
If you take too much Naprosyn, 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The source doesn’t specify exact timing, but for migraines, you can take an additional dose at least one hour after the initial dose if needed, suggesting some effect may be seen within an hour.
Yes, you should take Naprosyn during or immediately after food with a full glass of water or milk. This helps reduce the possibility of an upset stomach.
No, Naprosyn is not addictive.
If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the regular time. Otherwise, take it as soon as you remember. Do not take a double dose to make up for the missed dose.
Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol. If you drink alcohol, dizziness or light-headedness caused by Naprosyn may be worse.
Older people may be at more risk of developing stomach ulcers, so your doctor may prescribe a lower dose. Always follow your doctor’s instructions.
This depends on your condition. For sprains and strains, it’s usually only needed for a few days. For arthritis, it should be taken every day for as long as your doctor prescribes. Do not take it longer than your doctor says.
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.