Naproxen: What It Is and How It Works

Naproxen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that’s used to alleviate ache, fever, and irritation. It really works by inhibiting the manufacturing of prostaglandins, that are chemical substances that trigger irritation and ache.

Naproxen is out there in each prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) varieties. The prescription kind is used to deal with extra extreme ache and irritation, whereas the OTC kind is used to deal with gentle to reasonable ache and irritation.

Naproxen is a protected and efficient treatment when it’s used as directed. Nevertheless, it might trigger negative effects, comparable to abdomen upset, heartburn, nausea, and diarrhea. In uncommon instances, naproxen could cause extra critical negative effects, comparable to liver injury, kidney injury, and coronary heart assault. It is very important speak to your physician in regards to the dangers and advantages of naproxen earlier than you begin taking it.

What’s Naproxen

Naproxen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used to alleviate ache, fever, and irritation.

Relieves ache, fever, and irritation
Inhibits manufacturing of prostaglandins
Accessible in prescription and OTC varieties
Secure and efficient when used as directed
May cause negative effects like abdomen upset
Hardly ever causes critical negative effects
Speak to physician earlier than taking naproxen
Used to deal with arthritis, menstrual cramps, and complications
Accessible in pill, capsule, and liquid varieties
Can work together with different drugs

Naproxen is a extensively used and efficient treatment for the reduction of ache, fever, and irritation. Nevertheless, it is very important pay attention to the potential negative effects and to speak to your physician earlier than taking naproxen.

Relieves ache, fever, and irritation

Naproxen is efficient in relieving ache, fever, and irritation attributable to quite a lot of circumstances, together with arthritis, menstrual cramps, complications, and muscle strains.

Ache: Naproxen works by blocking the manufacturing of prostaglandins, that are chemical substances that trigger irritation and ache. By decreasing prostaglandin manufacturing, naproxen may help to alleviate ache and stiffness within the joints, muscular tissues, and different tissues.
Fever: Naproxen may also be used to cut back fever. Fever is a pure response to an infection or sickness, nevertheless it may also be uncomfortable and intervene with every day actions. Naproxen works by resetting the physique’s thermostat, which helps to decrease physique temperature and relieve fever.
Irritation: Naproxen is a strong anti-inflammatory drug. It might probably assist to cut back irritation within the joints, muscular tissues, and different tissues. This may help to enhance mobility, cut back ache, and pace therapeutic.
Different circumstances: Naproxen can also be typically used to deal with different circumstances, comparable to gout, bursitis, and tendonitis. It may also be used to alleviate ache and irritation attributable to dental procedures or surgical procedure.

Naproxen is a protected and efficient treatment for the reduction of ache, fever, and irritation. Nevertheless, it is very important speak to your physician earlier than taking naproxen to debate the dangers and advantages of the treatment.

Inhibits manufacturing of prostaglandins

Prostaglandins are chemical substances which might be produced by the physique in response to harm, an infection, and different stimuli. They play a task in quite a lot of bodily capabilities, together with irritation, ache, and fever.

Irritation: Prostaglandins are concerned within the inflammatory course of. They trigger blood vessels to dilate and turn out to be extra permeable, which permits white blood cells and different immune cells to achieve the positioning of harm or an infection. Prostaglandins additionally stimulate the manufacturing of different inflammatory mediators, comparable to cytokines and chemokines.
Ache: Prostaglandins straight stimulate ache receptors within the nervous system. Additionally they enhance the sensitivity of ache receptors to different stimuli.
Fever: Prostaglandins act on the hypothalamus, which is the a part of the mind that regulates physique temperature. They trigger the hypothalamus to boost the physique’s thermostat, which results in fever.
Different capabilities: Prostaglandins are additionally concerned in quite a lot of different bodily capabilities, together with blood clotting, abdomen acid manufacturing, and uterine contractions.

Naproxen works by inhibiting the manufacturing of prostaglandins. This may help to cut back irritation, ache, and fever. Naproxen is a non-selective COX-2 inhibitor, which signifies that it blocks the manufacturing of each COX-1 and COX-2 prostaglandins. COX-1 prostaglandins are concerned in regular bodily capabilities, comparable to abdomen lining safety and blood clotting, whereas COX-2 prostaglandins are concerned in irritation and ache.

Accessible in prescription and OTC varieties

Prescription naproxen: Prescription naproxen is out there in strengths of 250 mg, 375 mg, and 500 mg. It’s sometimes taken twice a day, with or with out meals. Prescription naproxen is used to deal with quite a lot of circumstances, together with arthritis, menstrual cramps, and gout.
OTC naproxen: OTC naproxen is out there in strengths of 200 mg and 250 mg. It’s sometimes taken each 8 to 12 hours, with or with out meals. OTC naproxen is used to deal with gentle to reasonable ache, comparable to complications, backaches, and muscle aches. It may also be used to cut back fever.
Dosing: The really helpful dosage of naproxen will depend upon the situation being handled and the severity of the ache or irritation. It is very important observe the dosing directions on the treatment label or as directed by your physician.
Formulations: Naproxen is out there in quite a lot of formulations, together with tablets, capsules, and liquid. Some formulations are designed to be taken with meals, whereas others may be taken with out meals. There are additionally extended-release formulations of naproxen which might be taken a few times a day.

It is very important speak to your physician earlier than taking naproxen, particularly in case you have any underlying well being circumstances or are taking different drugs. Naproxen can work together with different drugs, together with blood thinners, diuretics, and methotrexate.

Secure and efficient when used as directed

Naproxen is a protected and efficient treatment when it’s used as directed. It has been extensively studied and is accepted by the U.S. Meals and Drug Administration (FDA) for the remedy of quite a lot of circumstances, together with arthritis, menstrual cramps, and complications. Naproxen is usually well-tolerated, and most of the people who take it expertise few, if any, negative effects.

Nevertheless, it is very important word that naproxen can work together with different drugs, together with blood thinners, diuretics, and methotrexate. It is usually necessary to keep away from taking naproxen if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding. If in case you have any underlying well being circumstances or are taking different drugs, it is very important speak to your physician earlier than taking naproxen.

The commonest negative effects of naproxen embody abdomen upset, heartburn, nausea, and diarrhea. These negative effects are normally gentle and go away after a couple of days. Nevertheless, if you happen to expertise any extreme negative effects, comparable to abdomen bleeding, liver injury, or kidney injury, it’s best to cease taking naproxen and see your physician instantly.

To make use of naproxen safely and successfully, it is very important observe the dosing directions on the treatment label or as directed by your physician. You must also take naproxen with meals or milk to cut back the chance of abdomen upset. If you’re taking naproxen for a protracted time frame, your physician might suggest that you simply take a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) to guard your abdomen from ulcers.

Total, naproxen is a protected and efficient treatment when it’s used as directed. Nevertheless, it is very important pay attention to the potential negative effects and to speak to your physician earlier than taking naproxen.

May cause negative effects like abdomen upset

Naproxen could cause quite a lot of negative effects, together with abdomen upset. Abdomen upset is the most typical aspect impact of naproxen, affecting as much as 1 in 10 individuals who take the treatment. It’s normally gentle and goes away after a couple of days. Nevertheless, if you happen to expertise extreme abdomen upset, comparable to abdomen ache, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea, it’s best to cease taking naproxen and see your physician instantly.

Causes of abdomen upset: Naproxen can irritate the liner of the abdomen, which might result in abdomen upset. That is very true if you happen to take naproxen on an empty abdomen or if you happen to take excessive doses of the treatment.
Danger elements: Sure individuals are extra in danger for growing abdomen upset from naproxen. These embody people who find themselves older, individuals who have a historical past of abdomen ulcers or bleeding, and people who find themselves taking different drugs that may irritate the abdomen, comparable to aspirin, ibuprofen, or corticosteroids.
Stopping abdomen upset: There are some things you are able to do to cut back your danger of growing abdomen upset from naproxen. These embody taking the treatment with meals or milk, taking a decrease dose of the treatment, and avoiding taking naproxen for lengthy durations of time.
Treating abdomen upset: Should you do expertise abdomen upset from naproxen, there are some things you are able to do to alleviate the signs. These embody taking an antacid, comparable to Tums or Rolaids, or ingesting loads of fluids. In case your abdomen upset is extreme or doesn’t go away after a couple of days, it’s best to see your physician.

Total, naproxen is a protected and efficient treatment when it’s used as directed. Nevertheless, it is very important pay attention to the potential negative effects, together with abdomen upset. Should you expertise abdomen upset from naproxen, there are some things you are able to do to alleviate the signs. In case your abdomen upset is extreme or doesn’t go away after a couple of days, it’s best to see your physician.

Hardly ever causes critical negative effects

Naproxen can hardly ever trigger critical negative effects, comparable to abdomen bleeding, liver injury, and kidney injury. These negative effects usually tend to happen in people who find themselves taking excessive doses of naproxen or who’re taking the treatment for a protracted time frame. They’re additionally extra prone to happen in people who find themselves older or who produce other medical circumstances, comparable to coronary heart illness, kidney illness, or liver illness.

Abdomen bleeding: Naproxen can irritate the liner of the abdomen, which might result in abdomen bleeding. This can be a critical aspect impact that may happen even in people who find themselves taking low doses of naproxen. Signs of abdomen bleeding embody black or bloody stools, vomiting blood, and belly ache.
Liver injury: Naproxen also can trigger liver injury, particularly in people who find themselves taking excessive doses of the treatment or who’re taking it for a protracted time frame. Signs of liver injury embody yellowing of the pores and skin or eyes, darkish urine, and fatigue.
Kidney injury: Naproxen also can trigger kidney injury, particularly in people who find themselves taking excessive doses of the treatment or who’re taking it for a protracted time frame. Signs of kidney injury embody swelling within the arms and toes, hypertension, and decreased urination.
Coronary heart assault and stroke: Naproxen may additionally enhance the chance of coronary heart assault and stroke, particularly in individuals who produce other danger elements for these circumstances, comparable to hypertension, excessive ldl cholesterol, or diabetes.

Total, naproxen is a protected and efficient treatment when it’s used as directed. Nevertheless, it is very important pay attention to the potential negative effects, together with the uncommon however critical negative effects listed above. Should you expertise any of those negative effects, it’s best to cease taking naproxen and see your physician instantly.

Speak to physician earlier than taking naproxen

It is very important speak to your physician earlier than taking naproxen, particularly in case you have any underlying well being circumstances or are taking different drugs. Naproxen can work together with quite a lot of drugs, together with blood thinners, diuretics, and methotrexate. It is usually necessary to keep away from taking naproxen if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding.

Underlying well being circumstances: Naproxen can worsen some underlying well being circumstances, comparable to coronary heart illness, kidney illness, and liver illness. It is very important speak to your physician earlier than taking naproxen in case you have any of those circumstances.
Different drugs: Naproxen can work together with quite a lot of drugs, together with blood thinners, diuretics, and methotrexate. These interactions can enhance the chance of negative effects. It is very important inform your physician about all the drugs you take, together with pharmaceuticals, over-the-counter medicine, and natural dietary supplements.
Being pregnant: Naproxen shouldn’t be taken throughout being pregnant, particularly in the course of the third trimester. Naproxen can enhance the chance of miscarriage, start defects, and different being pregnant problems.
Breastfeeding: Naproxen passes into breast milk in small quantities. It’s typically thought of protected to take naproxen whereas breastfeeding, however it is very important speak to your physician first.

Total, it is very important speak to your physician earlier than taking naproxen to debate the dangers and advantages of the treatment. Your physician may help you identify if naproxen is best for you and may monitor you for negative effects.

Used to deal with arthritis, menstrual cramps, and complications

Naproxen is used to deal with quite a lot of circumstances, together with arthritis, menstrual cramps, and complications. It’s a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), which signifies that it really works by decreasing irritation and ache.

Arthritis: Naproxen is efficient in treating the ache and irritation of arthritis, together with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. It might probably assist to enhance joint operate and mobility.
Menstrual cramps: Naproxen can be utilized to alleviate menstrual cramps. It really works by blocking the manufacturing of prostaglandins, that are chemical substances that trigger the uterus to contract. This may help to cut back ache and irritation.
Complications: Naproxen can be utilized to alleviate complications, together with stress complications and migraines. It really works by decreasing irritation and ache.
Different circumstances: Naproxen can also be typically used to deal with different circumstances, comparable to gout, bursitis, and tendonitis. It may also be used to alleviate ache and irritation attributable to dental procedures or surgical procedure.

Naproxen is a protected and efficient treatment when it’s used as directed. Nevertheless, it is very important speak to your physician earlier than taking naproxen to debate the dangers and advantages of the treatment.

Accessible in pill, capsule, and liquid varieties

Naproxen is out there in quite a lot of formulations, together with tablets, capsules, and liquid. This permits sufferers to decide on the type of naproxen that’s most handy for them.

Tablets: Naproxen tablets are the most typical type of the treatment. They’re out there in strengths of 200 mg, 250 mg, 375 mg, and 500 mg. Tablets are sometimes taken a few times a day, with or with out meals.

Capsules: Naproxen capsules are additionally out there in strengths of 200 mg, 250 mg, 375 mg, and 500 mg. Capsules are sometimes taken a few times a day, with or with out meals. Some naproxen capsules are designed to be taken with meals to cut back the chance of abdomen upset.

Liquid: Naproxen can also be out there in liquid kind. The liquid kind is usually used for youngsters or individuals who have problem swallowing tablets or capsules. The liquid is out there in strengths of 25 mg/mL and 50 mg/mL. It’s sometimes taken twice a day, with or with out meals.

There are additionally extended-release formulations of naproxen out there. Prolonged-release formulations are designed to launch the treatment slowly over a time frame. This may help to cut back the frequency of dosing and enhance compliance.

Total, naproxen is out there in quite a lot of formulations to fulfill the wants of various sufferers. Sufferers ought to speak to their physician about which type of naproxen is true for them.

Can work together with different drugs

Naproxen can work together with quite a lot of different drugs, together with:

Blood thinners: Naproxen can enhance the chance of bleeding when taken with blood thinners, comparable to warfarin, heparin, and clopidogrel.
Diuretics: Naproxen can cut back the effectiveness of diuretics, that are drugs that assist to take away extra fluid from the physique. This may result in fluid retention and swelling.
Methotrexate: Naproxen can enhance the degrees of methotrexate within the blood, which might result in an elevated danger of negative effects.
Lithium: Naproxen can enhance the degrees of lithium within the blood, which might result in lithium toxicity.
Different NSAIDs: Taking naproxen with different NSAIDs, comparable to ibuprofen and aspirin, can enhance the chance of abdomen bleeding and different negative effects.
ACE inhibitors and ARBs: Naproxen can cut back the effectiveness of ACE inhibitors and ARBs, that are drugs which might be used to deal with hypertension.
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs): Naproxen can enhance the chance of bleeding when taken with SSRIs, that are drugs which might be used to deal with melancholy and nervousness.

It is very important inform your physician about all the drugs you take, together with pharmaceuticals, over-the-counter medicine, and natural dietary supplements. This may assist your physician to find out if naproxen is protected so that you can take and to observe you for negative effects.

If you’re taking any of the drugs listed above, it’s best to speak to your physician earlier than taking naproxen. Your physician may have to regulate your dose of naproxen or monitor you extra intently for negative effects.

FAQ

Listed below are some regularly requested questions on naproxen:

Query 1: What’s naproxen?
Reply: Naproxen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that’s used to alleviate ache, fever, and irritation.

Query 2: What circumstances can naproxen be used to deal with?
Reply: Naproxen can be utilized to deal with quite a lot of circumstances, together with arthritis, menstrual cramps, complications, and muscle ache.

Query 3: Is naproxen protected to take?
Reply: Naproxen is protected to take when it’s used as directed. Nevertheless, it might trigger negative effects, comparable to abdomen upset, heartburn, and nausea.

Query 4: Can naproxen work together with different drugs?
Reply: Sure, naproxen can work together with quite a lot of different drugs, together with blood thinners, diuretics, and methotrexate. It is very important inform your physician about all the drugs you take earlier than you begin taking naproxen.

Query 5: How ought to I take naproxen?
Reply: Naproxen needs to be taken as directed by your physician. It’s sometimes taken a few times a day, with or with out meals.

Query 6: What are a few of the negative effects of naproxen?
Reply: The commonest negative effects of naproxen embody abdomen upset, heartburn, nausea, and diarrhea. Extra critical negative effects can embody abdomen bleeding, liver injury, and kidney injury.

Query 7: When ought to I keep away from taking naproxen?
Reply: It is best to keep away from taking naproxen if you’re allergic to it, in case you have a historical past of abdomen ulcers or bleeding, or if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding.

Closing Paragraph for FAQ:

If in case you have any questions on naproxen, speak to your physician or pharmacist.

Naproxen may be an efficient treatment for the reduction of ache, fever, and irritation. Nevertheless, it is very important pay attention to the potential negative effects and to speak to your physician earlier than taking naproxen.

Suggestions

Listed below are some ideas for taking naproxen safely and successfully:

Tip 1: Take naproxen with meals or milk. This may help to cut back the chance of abdomen upset.

Tip 2: Keep away from taking naproxen for lengthy durations of time. If it’s good to take naproxen for greater than 10 days, speak to your physician. Lengthy-term use of naproxen can enhance the chance of negative effects, comparable to abdomen bleeding and kidney injury.

Tip 3: Pay attention to the potential negative effects of naproxen. The commonest negative effects of naproxen embody abdomen upset, heartburn, nausea, and diarrhea. Extra critical negative effects can embody abdomen bleeding, liver injury, and kidney injury. Should you expertise any critical negative effects, cease taking naproxen and see your physician instantly.

Tip 4: Speak to your physician earlier than taking naproxen. That is particularly necessary in case you have any underlying well being circumstances or are taking different drugs.

Closing Paragraph for Suggestions:

By following the following pointers, you’ll be able to assist to cut back the chance of negative effects from naproxen and guarantee that you’re taking the treatment safely and successfully.

Conclusion

Naproxen is a protected and efficient treatment for the reduction of ache, fever, and irritation. It’s out there in each prescription and over-the-counter varieties and can be utilized to deal with quite a lot of circumstances, together with arthritis, menstrual cramps, and complications.

Nevertheless, it is very important pay attention to the potential negative effects of naproxen, which might embody abdomen upset, heartburn, nausea, and diarrhea. Extra critical negative effects can embody abdomen bleeding, liver injury, and kidney injury. Naproxen also can work together with different drugs, so it is very important inform your physician about all the drugs you take earlier than you begin taking naproxen.

If you’re contemplating taking naproxen, speak to your physician to debate the dangers and advantages of the treatment. Your physician may help you identify if naproxen is best for you and may monitor you for negative effects.

Closing Message:

Naproxen may be an efficient treatment for the reduction of ache, fever, and irritation. Nevertheless, it is very important use naproxen safely and responsibly. Speak to your physician earlier than taking naproxen and observe the directions on the treatment label.