Naprosyn Tablet: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

Naprosyn Tablet contains naproxen, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), that reduces pain, swelling, redness and heat (inflammation). It is used to treat painful joint and muscle conditions such as arthritis, as well as period pain. Naprosyn should be taken exactly as prescribed, with important precautions around stomach, heart, kidney and liver health.

What is Naprosyn Tablet

Naprosyn Tablet contains naproxen, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). It lessens pain, swelling, redness and heat (inflammation) and is used to treat several painful joint and muscle conditions as well as period pain.

Naprosyn Tablet uses

• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Osteoarthritis
• Ankylosing spondylitis
• Gout
• Muscle, joint and tendon problems such as sprains and strains
• Period pain (dysmenorrhoea)
• Back pain and stiffness

Benefits of Naprosyn Tablet

• Relieves pain and swelling in conditions like arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis
• Eases menstrual (period) pain
• Helps relieve stiffness and pain in the back and joints

How Naprosyn Tablet works

It works by stopping the formation of certain substances in the body that cause pain and swelling.

Naprosyn Tablet dosage

• Take this medicine with or after food to avoid stomach irritation. 
• Swallow the tablets whole with a little water.
•  Do not break, chew or crush the tablet. 
• Take this medicine at around the same time daily. 
• Do not stop taking this medicine without talking to your doctor, even if you feel better. 
• Make sure you drink enough fluid and stay well hydrated while taking this medicine, especially if you have kidney problems. 
• Gastro-resistant tablets are coated so they pass undissolved through the stomach into the small intestine; swallow them whole and do not chew.

Available forms and strengths

• Tablet
• Gastro-resistant tablet
• Suspension
• Gel
• Sustained-release (SR) tablet

Side effects of Naprosyn Tablet

Common

• Nausea and vomiting
• Heartburn and indigestion
• Stomach pain
• Bloating
• Constipation
• Diarrhoea
• Wind
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Drowsiness
• Ringing in the ears
• Skin rash
• Inflammation of the mouth, lips, cheeks, gums or throat

Serious

• Bleeding from the stomach or gut (vomit with blood or coffee-ground-like bits, black or bloody stools)
• Ulcers or holes forming in the stomach or gut
• Problems with your pancreas (severe stomach pain spreading to the back)
• Worsening of ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease
• Allergic reactions with swelling of the throat, face, hands or feet and breathing difficulty
• Severe skin reactions with blisters or peeling skin
• Liver problems including jaundice and hepatitis
• Heart attack (chest pain spreading to neck, shoulders and left arm)
• Stroke (muscle weakness, numbness, altered senses, confusion)
• Meningitis (fever, stiff neck, headache, sensitivity to light, confusion)
• Kidney problems including blood in the urine
• Blood disorders such as anaemia and changes in white blood cells

Warnings and precautions

• Medicines such as naproxen may be linked to a small increased risk of heart attack or stroke. 
• This risk is more likely with higher doses and longer treatment, so do not exceed the recommended dose or duration.
• Do not take this medicine if you have now or have ever had stomach or gut problems like an ulcer or bleeding.
• This medicine is not recommended before, during or after coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery as it may increase the risk of heart attack and stroke.
• This medicine is not recommended if you have a history of NSAID-induced asthma as it may worsen your condition.
• This medicine should be used with extreme caution if you have active bleeding or clotting disorders as it may prolong bleeding time.
• Use with caution in the elderly due to an increased risk of side effects; the minimum dose for the shortest time should be used.
• This medicine is not recommended during pregnancy, especially in the last three months, as it can harm your unborn baby.
• If taken from about 20 weeks it can cause kidney and heart problems in the baby. 
• Talk to your doctor before use if you are pregnant, planning a pregnancy or having trouble becoming pregnant.
• This medicine may pass into breast milk in small amounts. One source advises against use while breast-feeding, so talk to your doctor before taking it.
• Use this medicine with extreme caution if you have kidney problems, as it may increase the risk of kidney toxicity. Your doctor will monitor your kidney function.
• Use this medicine with extreme caution if you have liver problems, as it may raise liver enzyme levels and increase the risk of liver toxicity. Your doctor will monitor your liver function.
• Avoid alcohol while taking this medicine as it can increase the risk of stomach and intestinal bleeding.
• This medicine may cause sleepiness or dizziness. 
• Avoid driving vehicles or operating heavy machinery until you know how it affects you.

Storage

• Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.
• Do not use this medicine after the expiry date shown on the label or carton. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.
• Do not store above 25°C.
• Store the tablets in the package or container supplied and do not transfer them to another container.
• Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to throw away medicines you no longer use.

When to see a doctor

• Stop taking the medicine and seek immediate medical help if you pass blood in your stools, pass black tarry stools, or vomit blood or dark particles that look like coffee grounds.
• Stop taking the medicine and tell your doctor straight away if you have signs of an allergic reaction such as swelling of the throat, face, hands or feet, difficulty breathing, or skin rashes and blisters.
• Seek emergency medical treatment in case of an overdose. Take the container and any remaining tablets with you to the hospital or doctor.
• Stop taking the medicine and tell your doctor if you experience indigestion, heartburn, stomach pain or other abnormal stomach symptoms.

Alternatives

• Ibuprofen
• Diclofenac
• Aceclofenac
• Meloxicam
• Etodolac