Proxen SR (Naproxen)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Proxen SR Used For?
Proxen SR contains naproxen and belongs to a group of medicines called Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs). It helps relieve pain and reduce inflammation in various types of arthritis.
Primary Uses
Proxen SR is used to relieve pain and reduce inflammation (swelling, redness and soreness) in different types of arthritis including rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis and ankylosing spondylitis.
How It Works
The active ingredient naproxen is released slowly into the bloodstream during the day. While Proxen SR can relieve symptoms of pain and inflammation, it will not cure your condition. The tablets are not suitable for conditions requiring rapid pain relief like migraine attacks or short-term pain relief.
Good to know: Proxen SR is not addictive.
How to Take Proxen SR
Take Proxen SR exactly as your doctor has prescribed. Follow the instructions provided and use until your doctor tells you to stop.
Dosage Instructions
The usual dose is one tablet once a day. Swallow Proxen SR whole with a glass of water or milk – do not chew them. Take the tablets with or straight after food with a full glass of water or milk to help reduce the possibility of an upset stomach. For arthritis, take every day for as long as your doctor prescribes.
What If You Miss a Dose?
If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose when you are meant to. Otherwise, take it as soon as you remember and then continue taking it normally. If you have trouble remembering, ask your pharmacist for hints.
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 (feeling sick), heartburn, indigestion
- loss of appetite
- constipation, diarrhoea, pain in the stomach
- dizziness, light-headedness
- headache, drowsiness
- buzzing or ringing in the ears
- dry mouth
- aching muscles, muscle tenderness or weakness not caused by exercise
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 what looks like coffee grounds
- bleeding from the back passage, black sticky bowel motions or bloody diarrhoea
- severe dizziness, spinning sensation
- severe pain or tenderness in any part of the stomach
- swelling of the face, lips or tongue which may cause difficulty swallowing or breathing
- 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 situations where Proxen SR should not be used and medical conditions that need to be discussed with your doctor before starting treatment.
Who Should Not Take Proxen SR
Do not use if you are allergic to naproxen, aspirin or any other NSAID medicines; are vomiting blood or material that looks like coffee grounds; are bleeding from the rectum, have black sticky bowel motions or bloody diarrhoea; currently have or have had peptic ulcers; have severe liver disease; recently had or are about to have heart bypass surgery; are taking other medications containing naproxen or 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
Check with your doctor if you have allergies to other substances; heartburn, indigestion, stomach ulcers or other stomach problems; 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 anaemia; currently have an infection; or plan to have surgery as Proxen SR can prolong bleeding.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or intend to become pregnant. Proxen SR may affect your developing baby and may impair fertility – it is not recommended in women attempting to conceive. If necessary during pregnancy, your doctor will discuss risks and benefits. Proxen SR passes into breast milk and the effect on the baby is not known, so tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding.
Drug Interactions
Some medicines may interfere with Proxen SR and affect how it works. Tell your doctor about all medicines, vitamins or supplements you are taking.
- antacids (medicines for heartburn and indigestion)
- 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 (blood thinner)
- heparin (blood thinner)
- medicines for high blood pressure including ACE inhibitors, angiotensin receptor antagonists and beta-blockers
- some diabetes medicines
- serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs for depression)
- steroids (for inflammation)
- zidovudine (for HIV infection)
- sodium bicarbonate (for stomach upset or ulcers)
Alcohol & Driving
Proxen SR may affect your ability to drive or operate machinery, and alcohol can worsen these effects.
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 Proxen SR affects you. Proxen SR may cause dizziness or light-headedness in some people. If this occurs, do not drive.
Storage
Keep the tablets in the blister pack until it is time to take them. Store in a cool dry place where the temperature stays below 30°C. Do not keep in the refrigerator. Store away from moisture, heat or sunlight – not in the bathroom, near a sink, in the car or on window sills. Keep where young children cannot reach it.
Overdose Information
If you take too much Proxen SR, you may experience drowsiness, pain or tenderness in the stomach, 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
Proxen SR releases naproxen slowly into the bloodstream during the day. For arthritis conditions, it should be taken every day as prescribed by your doctor to control pain, swelling and stiffness effectively.
Yes, you should take Proxen SR with or straight after food with a full glass of water or milk. This helps reduce the possibility of an upset stomach.
No, Proxen SR is not addictive.
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.
Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol. Alcohol can worsen dizziness or light-headedness that may occur with Proxen SR.
No, you must swallow Proxen SR tablets whole with a glass of water or milk. Do not chew them as this affects how the medication is released slowly throughout the day.
Tell your doctor if you feel the tablets are not helping your condition. Your doctor may need to adjust your treatment or consider other options.
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.