Naprosyn

naproxen

Naprosyn is used to relieve pain and swelling (inflammation) from various conditions. It is used to treat headaches, muscle aches, backaches, tendonitis, dental pain, and menstrual cramps. It also reduces pain, swelling, and joint stiffness caused by arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, juvenile arthritis, bursitis and gout attacks. Reducing these symptoms helps you do more of your normal daily activities. This medication is known as a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID).

Naproxen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) with analgesic and antipyretic properties. The sodium salt of naproxen has been developed as a more rapidly absorbed formulation of naproxen for use as an analgesic. The mechanism of action of the naproxen anion, like that of other NS AIDs, is not completely understood but may be related to prostaglandin synthetase inhibition.

How to take
- Rheumatoid Arthritis, Osteoarthritis and Ankylosing Spondylitis: 250 mg or 500 mg twice daily.
- Juvenile Arthritis: The recommended total daily dose of naproxen is approximately 10 mg/kg given in 2 divided doses (ie, 5 mg/kg given twice a day).
- Management of Pain, Primary Dysmenorrhea, and Acute Tendonitis and Bursitis: The recommended starting dose is 500 mg.
- Acute Gout: The recommended starting dose is 750 mg of Naprosyn followed by 250 mg every 8 hours until the attack has subsided.

Since naproxen is sometimes taken as needed, you may not be on a dosing schedule. If you are taking the medication regularly, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at your next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

Side effects
Side effects cannot be anticipated. If any develop or change in intensity, inform your doctor as soon as possible. Only your doctor can determine if it is safe for you to continue taking Naprosyn. Side effects may include: abdominal pain, bruising, constipation, difficult or labored breathing, dizziness, drowsiness, headache, heartburn, itching, nausea, ringing in ears, skin eruptions, swelling due to fluid retention.

Do not use any other over-the-counter cold, allergy, or pain medication without first asking your doctor or pharmacist. Many medicines available over the counter contain aspirin or other medicines similar to naproxen (such as ibuprofen or ketoprofen). If you take certain products together you may accidentally take too much of this type of medication. Read the label of any other medicine you are using to see if it contains aspirin, ibuprofen, or ketoprofen.

This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Taking naproxen during the last 3 months of pregnancy may result in birth defects. Do not take naproxen during pregnancy unless your doctor has told you to. Naproxen can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not give this medicine to a child younger than 2 years old without the advice of a doctor.

Store at room temperature in a well-closed container. Protect from light and extreme heat.