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 accessible 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 will possibly trigger negative effects, comparable to abdomen upset, heartburn, nausea, and diarrhea. In uncommon circumstances, naproxen could cause extra critical negative effects, comparable to liver injury, kidney injury, and coronary heart assault. You will need to discuss to your physician concerning 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
Obtainable in prescription and OTC varieties
Protected and efficient when used as directed
Could cause negative effects like abdomen upset
Hardly ever causes critical negative effects
Discuss to physician earlier than taking naproxen
Used to deal with arthritis, menstrual cramps, and complications
Obtainable in pill, capsule, and liquid varieties
Can work together with different medicines

Naproxen is a extensively used and efficient treatment for the reduction of ache, fever, and irritation. Nevertheless, you will need to 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 might help to alleviate ache and stiffness within the joints, muscle tissues, and different tissues.
Fever: Naproxen can be used to cut back fever. Fever is a pure response to an infection or sickness, however it can be uncomfortable and intervene with day by 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 assist to cut back irritation within the joints, muscle tissues, and different tissues. This might help to enhance mobility, cut back ache, and velocity therapeutic.
Different circumstances: Naproxen can be typically used to deal with different circumstances, comparable to gout, bursitis, and tendonitis. It can 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, you will need to discuss 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 damage, an infection, and different stimuli. They play a job 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 develop into extra permeable, which permits white blood cells and different immune cells to achieve the location of damage or an infection. Prostaglandins additionally stimulate the manufacturing of different inflammatory mediators, comparable to cytokines and chemokines.
Ache: Prostaglandins immediately stimulate ache receptors within the nervous system. In addition they improve 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 lift the physique’s thermostat, which ends up 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 might help to cut back irritation, ache, and fever. Naproxen is a non-selective COX-2 inhibitor, which implies 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.

Obtainable in prescription and OTC varieties

Prescription naproxen: Prescription naproxen is accessible 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 accessible 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 can be used to cut back fever.
Dosing: The advisable dosage of naproxen will depend upon the situation being handled and the severity of the ache or irritation. You will need to comply with the dosing directions on the treatment label or as directed by your physician.
Formulations: Naproxen is accessible in quite a lot of formulations, together with tablets, capsules, and liquid. Some formulations are designed to be taken with meals, whereas others might be taken with out meals. There are additionally extended-release formulations of naproxen which might be taken a few times a day.

You will need to discuss to your physician earlier than taking naproxen, particularly in case you have any underlying well being circumstances or are taking different medicines. Naproxen can work together with different medicines, together with blood thinners, diuretics, and methotrexate.

Protected 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 authorized by the U.S. Meals and Drug Administration (FDA) for the therapy of quite a lot of circumstances, together with arthritis, menstrual cramps, and complications. Naproxen is mostly well-tolerated, and most of the people who take it expertise few, if any, negative effects.

Nevertheless, you will need to be aware that naproxen can work together with different medicines, together with blood thinners, diuretics, and methotrexate. It is usually necessary to keep away from taking naproxen if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding. When you’ve got any underlying well being circumstances or are taking different medicines, you will need to discuss to your physician earlier than taking naproxen.

The most typical 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, you need to cease taking naproxen and see your physician instantly.

To make use of naproxen safely and successfully, you will need to comply with the dosing directions on the treatment label or as directed by your physician. You also needs to take naproxen with meals or milk to cut back the chance of abdomen upset. In case you are taking naproxen for a protracted time period, your physician could advocate that you simply take a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) to guard your abdomen from ulcers.

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

Could cause negative effects like abdomen upset

Naproxen could cause quite a lot of negative effects, together with abdomen upset. Abdomen upset is the commonest facet 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, you need to cease taking naproxen and see your physician instantly.

Causes of abdomen upset: Naproxen can irritate the liner of the abdomen, which may 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.
Threat components: Sure individuals are extra in danger for creating 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 medicines 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 creating 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 intervals of time.
Treating abdomen upset: In the event 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 consuming loads of fluids. In case your abdomen upset is extreme or doesn’t go away after a couple of days, you need to see your physician.

General, naproxen is a protected and efficient treatment when it’s used as directed. Nevertheless, you will need to pay attention to the potential negative effects, together with abdomen upset. In the event 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, you need 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 period. 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 may result in abdomen bleeding. It is a critical facet 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 stomach ache.
Liver injury: Naproxen may also trigger liver injury, particularly in people who find themselves taking excessive doses of the treatment or who’re taking it for a protracted time period. Signs of liver injury embody yellowing of the pores and skin or eyes, darkish urine, and fatigue.
Kidney injury: Naproxen may also trigger kidney injury, particularly in people who find themselves taking excessive doses of the treatment or who’re taking it for a protracted time period. Signs of kidney injury embody swelling within the palms and ft, hypertension, and decreased urination.
Coronary heart assault and stroke: Naproxen can also improve the chance of coronary heart assault and stroke, particularly in individuals who produce other danger components for these circumstances, comparable to hypertension, excessive ldl cholesterol, or diabetes.

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

Discuss to physician earlier than taking naproxen

You will need to discuss to your physician earlier than taking naproxen, particularly in case you have any underlying well being circumstances or are taking different medicines. Naproxen can work together with quite a lot of medicines, 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. You will need to discuss to your physician earlier than taking naproxen in case you have any of those circumstances.
Different medicines: Naproxen can work together with quite a lot of medicines, together with blood thinners, diuretics, and methotrexate. These interactions can improve the chance of negative effects. You will need to inform your physician about all the medicines you take, together with pharmaceuticals, over-the-counter medicine, and natural dietary supplements.
Being pregnant: Naproxen shouldn’t be taken throughout being pregnant, particularly throughout the third trimester. Naproxen can improve the chance of miscarriage, delivery defects, and different being pregnant issues.
Breastfeeding: Naproxen passes into breast milk in small quantities. It’s typically thought of protected to take naproxen whereas breastfeeding, however you will need to discuss to your physician first.

General, you will need to discuss to your physician earlier than taking naproxen to debate the dangers and advantages of the treatment. Your physician might help you establish 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 implies 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 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 might help to cut back ache and irritation.
Complications: Naproxen can be utilized to alleviate complications, together with pressure complications and migraines. It really works by decreasing irritation and ache.
Different circumstances: Naproxen can be typically used to deal with different circumstances, comparable to gout, bursitis, and tendonitis. It can 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, you will need to discuss to your physician earlier than taking naproxen to debate the dangers and advantages of the treatment.

Obtainable in pill, capsule, and liquid varieties

Naproxen is accessible 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 commonest type of the treatment. They’re accessible 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 accessible 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 be accessible in liquid kind. The liquid kind is usually used for youngsters or individuals who have problem swallowing tablets or capsules. The liquid is accessible 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 accessible. Prolonged-release formulations are designed to launch the treatment slowly over a time period. This might help to cut back the frequency of dosing and enhance compliance.

General, naproxen is accessible in quite a lot of formulations to fulfill the wants of various sufferers. Sufferers ought to discuss to their physician about which type of naproxen is correct for them.

Can work together with different medicines

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

Blood thinners: Naproxen can improve 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 medicines that assist to take away extra fluid from the physique. This could result in fluid retention and swelling.
Methotrexate: Naproxen can improve the degrees of methotrexate within the blood, which may result in an elevated danger of negative effects.
Lithium: Naproxen can improve the degrees of lithium within the blood, which may result in lithium toxicity.
Different NSAIDs: Taking naproxen with different NSAIDs, comparable to ibuprofen and aspirin, can improve 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 medicines which might be used to deal with hypertension.
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs): Naproxen can improve the chance of bleeding when taken with SSRIs, that are medicines which might be used to deal with despair and anxiousness.

You will need to inform your physician about all the medicines you take, together with pharmaceuticals, over-the-counter medicine, and natural dietary supplements. It will assist your physician to find out if naproxen is protected so that you can take and to watch you for negative effects.

In case you are taking any of the medicines listed above, you need to discuss 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 often 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 will possibly trigger negative effects, comparable to abdomen upset, heartburn, and nausea.

Query 4: Can naproxen work together with different medicines?
Reply: Sure, naproxen can work together with quite a lot of different medicines, together with blood thinners, diuretics, and methotrexate. You will need to inform your physician about all the medicines you take earlier than you begin taking naproxen.

Query 5: How ought to I take naproxen?
Reply: Naproxen must 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 among the negative effects of naproxen?
Reply: The most typical 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: You need 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:

When you’ve got any questions on naproxen, discuss to your physician or pharmacist.

Naproxen might be an efficient treatment for the reduction of ache, fever, and irritation. Nevertheless, you will need to pay attention to the potential negative effects and to speak to your physician earlier than taking naproxen.

Suggestions

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

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

Tip 2: Keep away from taking naproxen for lengthy intervals of time. If it is advisable take naproxen for greater than 10 days, discuss to your physician. Lengthy-term use of naproxen can improve the chance of negative effects, comparable to abdomen bleeding and kidney injury.

Tip 3: Concentrate on the potential negative effects of naproxen. The most typical negative effects of naproxen embody abdomen upset, heartburn, nausea, and diarrhea. Extra critical negative effects can embody abdomen bleeding, liver injury, and kidney injury. In the event you expertise any critical negative effects, cease taking naproxen and see your physician instantly.

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

Closing Paragraph for Suggestions:

By following the following tips, you possibly can 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 accessible 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, you will need to pay attention to the potential negative effects of naproxen, which may embody abdomen upset, heartburn, nausea, and diarrhea. Extra critical negative effects can embody abdomen bleeding, liver injury, and kidney injury. Naproxen may also work together with different medicines, so you will need to inform your physician about all the medicines you take earlier than you begin taking naproxen.

In case you are contemplating taking naproxen, discuss to your physician to debate the dangers and advantages of the treatment. Your physician might help you establish if naproxen is best for you and may monitor you for negative effects.

Closing Message:

Naproxen might be an efficient treatment for the reduction of ache, fever, and irritation. Nevertheless, you will need to use naproxen safely and responsibly. Discuss to your physician earlier than taking naproxen and comply with the directions on the treatment label.