Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) other than aspirin, such naproxen, may increase a person’s chance of having a heart attack or stroke compared to a person who does not take them. These occurrences could be fatal and could occur suddenly. These issues could arise at any point during therapy, although those who use NSAIDs more frequently or at higher doses may be at more risk. If you have recently experienced a heart attack, avoid taking an NSAID like naproxen unless your doctor specifically instructs you to. Inform your doctor if you smoke, have high cholesterol, high blood pressure, or diabetes, or if you or anybody in your family has ever experienced any of these conditions. You should also mention any history of heart disease, a heart attack, or a stroke. If you develop any of the following signs or symptoms, get immediate emergency medical attention: chest pain, shortness of breath, weakness on one side or arm, or slurred speech.

You shouldn’t take naproxen shortly before or right after having coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG; a form of cardiac surgery).

NSAIDs, including naproxen, may result in ulcers, bleeding, or holes in the stomach, intestine, or esophagus (tube connecting the mouth and stomach). These issues can arise at any point during therapy, without any prior symptoms, and they have the potential to be fatal. People who take NSAIDs frequently or in higher doses, are older, have poorer health, smoke, or consume large amounts of alcohol while taking naproxen may be at greater risk. If you use any of the following medications, let your doctor know: Aspirin, other NSAIDs including ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), and ketoprofen, as well as anticoagulants (sometimes known as “blood thinners”) such as warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven); salicylate painkillers such as diflunisal, magnesium salicylate (Doan’s, others), and salsalate; oral steroids such as dexamethasone, methylprednisolone (Medrol), and prednisone (Rayos); citalopram (Celexa), fluoxetine (Prozac, in Symbyax), fluvoxamine (Luvox), paroxetine (Brisdelle, Paxil, Pexeva), and sertraline (Zoloft) are examples of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs); or SNRIs, which include desvenlafaxine (Pristiq), duloxetine (Cymbalta), and venlafaxine (Effexor XR). Additionally, let your doctor know if you currently or ever had liver disease, ulcers, stomach or intestine bleeding, or any other bleeding disorders. Call your physician and stop taking naproxen if you have any of the following symptoms: stomach pain, heartburn, bloody or coffee-ground-looking vomit, blood in the stool, or dark, tarry stools.

Keep all of your appointments with your physician and the lab. Your doctor will keep a close eye on your symptoms and possibly recommend a few tests to see how your body is responding to naproxen. Inform your physician about your feelings so that they can prescribe the ideal dosage of medication to cure your problem with the least chance of negative side effects.

The patient information sheet (Medication Guide) from the manufacturer will be sent to you by your doctor or pharmacist when you start taking prescription naproxen as well as at each refill visit. If you have any questions, carefully read the material and contact your doctor or pharmacist. The Medication Guide is also available on the manufacturer’s website or the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) website (http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/ucm085729.htm).

Prescription naproxen is used to treat a variety of joint diseases, including juvenile arthritis (a form of joint disease in children), rheumatoid arthritis (arthritis caused by swelling of the lining of the joints), and ankylosing spondylitis (arthritis that primarily affects the spine). Osteoarthritis is an arthritis caused by a breakdown of the lining of the joints. In addition to treating bursitis, which is an inflammation of the fluid-filled sac in the shoulder joint, tendinitis, which is an inflammation of the tissue that connects muscle to bone, gouty arthritis, which is an attack of joint pain brought on by a build-up of specific substances in the joints, and pain from other sources, such as menstrual pain, naproxen tablets, extended-release tablets, and suspension are also used to treat shoulder pain. Non-prescription naproxen is used to treat minor discomfort from toothaches, backaches, menstrual cramps, arthritis, headaches, muscular pains, and the common cold. Naproxen belongs to the group of drugs known as NSAIDs. It functions by halting the body’s production of a chemical responsible for inflammation, fever, and discomfort.

Regular tablets, delayed-release tablets (which release the medication in the intestine rather than the stomach to prevent stomach injury), extended-release (long-acting) tablets, and oral suspensions are all available as forms of prescription naproxen. Typically, one daily dose of the extended-release tablets is required. For arthritis, the tablets, delayed-release tablets, and suspension are typically taken twice day. For gout, the tablets and suspension are often taken every eight hours, and for pain, every six to eight hours as needed. If you regularly take naproxen, you should do so at the same time(s) each day.

To be taken orally, non-prescription naproxen is available as a tablet, a capsule, and a gel capsule. It is typically taken as needed, every 8 to 12 hours, with a full glass of water. To prevent motion sickness, non-prescription naproxen can be given with food or milk.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any instructions on the packaging or prescription label that you do not understand, and carefully follow them. Take naproxen as directed by your doctor. Never take it in larger or less amounts or more frequently than recommended by your doctor or the label on the medication.

If you’re taking a suspension, give it a good shake before each dose to ensure that the drug is mixed in evenly. To measure the precise volume of liquid required for your dose, use the oral syringe or measuring cup provided by your pharmacist.

Do not split, chew, or crush the extended-release or delayed-release pills; instead, swallow them whole.

Your arthritis symptoms may start to get better within a week if you are taking naproxen to treat them. You might not get all of the medication’s benefits for two weeks or longer.

If your symptoms worsen, you have new or unexpected symptoms, the area of your body that was hurting turns red or swollen, your pain lasts longer than 10 days, or your fever lasts longer than three days, stop using nonprescription naproxen and contact your doctor.

Naproxen is also occasionally used to treat Bartter syndrome, a condition in which the body does not absorb enough potassium, which results in symptoms including weakness and cramping in the muscles, as well as Paget’s disease of the bones, in which the bones grow unusually thick, fragile, and deformed. The dangers of using this drug for your illness should be discussed with your doctor.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more details if you’re interested in using this drug for any other conditions.

Before taking naproxen,

• Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you have any drug allergies, including those to naproxen, aspirin, other NSAIDs including ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), ketoprofen, or any of the components in naproxen products. For a list of the ingredients, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
• Inform your doctor and pharmacist about all prescription and over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, dietary supplements, and herbal products that you are now taking or intend to use. Mention the drugs in the IMPORTANT WARNING section as well as any of the following: Drugs that inhibit the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), such as benazepril (Lotensin, in Lotrel), moexipril (Univasc), perindopril (Aceon, in Prestalia), quinapril (Accupril, in Accuretic, in Quinaretic), captopril, enalapril (Vasotec, in Vaseretic), fosinopril, and lisinopril (Zestril, in Zestoretic), moexipril (Univasc), ramipril (Altace) and trandolapril (Mavik, in Tarka); angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) as eprosartan (Teveten), candesartan (Atacand), and azilsartan (Edarbi, in Edarbyclor); and ramipril (Altace) and trandolapril (Mavik, in Tarka); olmesartan (Benicar, in Azor, in Benicar HCT, in Tribenzor), telmisartan (Micardis, in Micardis HCT, in Twynsta), and valsartan (in Exforge HCT); irbesartan (Avapro, in Avalide), losartan (Cozaar, in Hyzaar), beta blockers such metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL, in Dutoprol), labetalol (Trandate), and atenolol (Tenormin, in Tenoretic), cholestyramine (Prevalite), nadolol (Corgard, in Corzide), and propranolol (Hemangeol, Inderal, InnoPran); cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimimune); digoxin (Lanoxin), “water pills,” methotrexate (Otrexup, Rasuvo, Trexall), pemetrexed (Alimta, Pemfexy), phenytoin (Dilantin, Phenytek), lithium (Lithobid), diabetic medicines; sulfa drugs like sulfamethoxazole (in Septra, Bactrim) and probenecid (Probalan; in Col-Probenecid) are examples of these. Additionally, let your physician know if you take antacids or sucralfate (Carafate). Your physician might need to adjust the dosage of your medication or keep a closer eye on you for adverse effects.
• Unless your doctor specifically instructs you to do so, avoid combining non-prescription naproxen with any other painkillers.
• In particular, if you also have frequent stuffy or runny nose, nasal polyps (swelling of the inside of the nose), heart failure, swelling of the hands, arms, feet, ankles, or lower legs, anemia (red blood cells do not bring enough oxygen to all parts of the body), or kidney disease, inform your doctor if you have been advised to follow a low sodium diet and if you have any of the conditions listed in the IMPORTANT WARNING section.
• Inform your doctor if you are expecting, intend to get pregnant, or are nursing a baby. If naproxen is consumed beyond 20 weeks of pregnancy, it may harm the fetus and complicate delivery. When you are 20 weeks pregnant or afterward, avoid taking naproxen unless your doctor specifically instructs you to. Call your doctor if you become pregnant while taking naproxen.
• You should be aware that this medicine may momentarily lower female fertility. If you are worried about your fertility, discuss the dangers of taking naproxen with your doctor.
• If you are 65 years of age or older, discuss the advantages and disadvantages of taking naproxen with your doctor. Since higher doses taken frequently may not be more effective and are more likely to have serious side effects, older adults should typically only take lower doses of naproxen for brief periods of time.
• Inform your doctor or dentist that you are taking naproxen if you are having surgery, including dental surgery.

Keep eating normally unless your doctor instructs you otherwise.

If you miss a dosage, take it as soon as you recall. If the next dose is soon due, skip the missed one and carry on with your regular dosing plan. To make up for a missing dose, do not take a second one.

Naproxen could have negative effects. If any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away, let your doctor know right once:

• Constipation
• Gas
• Extreme thirst
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Lightheadedness
• Drowsiness
• Having trouble falling or staying asleep
• Tingling or burning in the legs or arms
• Cold signs
• Hearing ringing
• Hearing issues

Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of the following symptoms, or those mentioned in the IMPORTANT WARNING section, call your doctor immediately. Do not take any more naproxen until you speak to your doctor:

• Alterations to vision
• Experiencing throat pain from the tablet
• Rise in weight without cause
• Respiratory issues or lack of breath
• Abdomen, ankles, foot, or leg swelling
• Infection symptoms such as a sore throat, fever, chills, and others
• Blisters
• Rash
• Skin turning crimson
• Itching
• Hives
• Swelling of the hands, arms, hands, cheeks, lips, tongue, throat, or eyes.
• Breathing or swallowing challenges
• Hoarseness
• Extreme fatigue
• Stomach ache in the top right corner
• Nausea
• Diarrhea
• Eyes or skin that have a yellow tint
• Flu-like signs
• Purple spots or bruises under the skin
• Rapid heart rate
• Urine that is hazy, discolored, or bloody
• Back ache
• Uncomfortable or challenging urinating
• Fewer urinations
• Reduced appetite
• Confusion

Other negative effects of naproxen may occur. If you experience any strange issues while taking this medicine, contact your doctor right away.

You or your doctor can submit a report to the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online at http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch or by phone at 1-800-332-1088 if you have a serious side event.

Keep this medication tightly closed in the original container and out of the reach of children. Keep it at room temperature and out of the bathroom and other places with excessive heat and moisture.

As many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and are simple for young children to open, it is crucial to keep all medications out of sight and out of reach of children. Always lock safety caps and promptly stash medication up and away from young children where it is out of their sight and reach to prevent poisoning.http://www.upandaway.org

To make sure that pets, kids, and other people cannot take leftover pharmaceuticals, they should be disposed of in a specific manner. You shouldn’t flush this medication down the toilet, though. The best option to get rid of your medication is instead through a medication take-back program. To find out about take-back initiatives in your neighborhood, speak with your pharmacist or get in touch with your city’s waste/recycling department. If you do not have access to a take-back program, you can find more information at the FDA’s Safe Disposal of Medicines website (http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p).

Call the poison control hotline at 1-800-222-1222 in the event of an overdose. Additionally, information can be found online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help. Call 911 right once if the person has collapsed, experienced a seizure, is having difficulty breathing, or cannot be roused.

Overdose signs could include the following:

• Extreme fatigue
• Drowsiness
• Abdominal pain
• Heartburn
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Sluggish or challenging breathing

Inform the lab staff and your doctor that you are taking naproxen prior to any laboratory test.

Do not give anyone else your prescription naproxen if you are using it. Any queries you may have regarding medication refills should be directed to your pharmacist.

You should keep a written record of every medication you take, including any over-the-counter (OTC) items, prescription drugs, and dietary supplements like vitamins and minerals. This list should be brought with you whenever you see a doctor or are admitted to the hospital. You should always have this information with you in case of emergencies.