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Chemical Name: NAPROXEN (na-PROX-en)
This medicine is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used to relieve
pain and swelling (inflammation). It is also used to treat headaches, muscle
aches, backaches, tendonitis, bursitis, dental pain, menstrual cramps,
arthritis, or gout. Naproxen may be used to reduce fever, or relieve minor aches
and pain due to the common cold or flu. It may be used to treat other conditions
as determined by your doctor. This medicine works by blocking the enzyme in your
body that makes prostaglandins. Decreasing prostaglandins helps to reduce pain,
swelling, and fever.
WARNING: THE RISK OF SERIOUS AND SOMETIMES FATAL HEART PROBLEMS, HEART ATTACK,
AND STROKE may be increased with the use of this medicine. This risk may be
increased the longer you use this medicine. Risk may also be higher in patients
who have heart problems or who are at risk for heart problems. THIS MEDICINE
SHOULD NOT BE USED to treat pain before or after coronary artery "heart bypass"
(CABG) surgery. THE RISK OF SERIOUS AND SOMETIMES FATAL STOMACH AND BOWEL
PROBLEMS, including bleeding, ulcers, and holes in the stomach and bowel, is
increased while using this medicine. These problems may occur at any time during
therapy, with or without symptoms. Elderly patients are at higher risk for
serious stomach problems. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information
about this medicine and its side effects. USE OF NONPRESCRIPTION PRODUCTS
CONTAINING THIS MEDICINE IN CHILDREN less than 12 years of age is not
recommended unless directed to do so by your doctor. Some medicines or medical
conditions may interact with this medicine. INFORM YOUR DOCTOR OR PHARMACIST of
all prescription and over-the-counter medicine that you are taking. DO NOT TAKE
THIS MEDICINE if you are also taking quinolone antibiotics (such as
ciprofloxacin or levofloxacin). ADDITIONAL MONITORING OF YOUR DOSE OR CONDITION
may be needed if you are taking digoxin; phenytoin; certain medicines for
depression (such as fluoxetine or citalopram); alendronate; other medicine for
arthritis (such as aspirin or methotrexate); medicines to prevent blood clotting
(such as warfarin or heparin); corticosteroids (such as prednisone);
cyclosporine; medicines for high blood pressure, including ACE inhibitors (such
as captopril), angiotensin II receptor antagonists (such as losartan), and
beta-blockers (such as metoprolol); lithium; other NSAIDS (such as ibuprofen or
celecoxib); probenecid; diuretics commonly called water pills (such as
furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide, or triamterene); medicines for diabetes;
plicamycin; valproic acid; or certain cephalosporin antibiotics (such as
cefotetan, cefoperazone, or cefamandole). DO NOT START OR STOP any medicine
without doctor or pharmacist approval. Inform your doctor of any other medical
conditions including lupus or other autoimmune problem ; poorly controlled
diabetes; dehydration; heart problems (such as heart failure or history of heart
attack); swelling of the hands, feet, or ankles (edema); high blood pressure;
history of stroke; stomach or bowel problems (such as bleeding, ulcers, or
rectum problems); history of tobacco use or alcohol use; kidney problems; liver
problems; blood or bleeding problems (such as anemia); asthma; growths in the
nose (nasal polyps); history of an allergic reaction with symptoms of lip,
tongue, or throat swelling (angioedema); any other allergies, pregnancy, or
breast-feeding. USE OF THIS MEDICINE IS NOT RECOMMENDED if you have history of
severe kidney disease or if you are going to have or have recently had coronary
artery "heart bypass" (CABG) surgery. Use of this medicine in children under age
2 is not recommended. Discuss with your doctor the risks and benefits of giving
this medicine to your child. Contact your doctor or pharmacist if you have any
questions or concerns about taking this medicine.
Follow the directions for using this medicine provided by your doctor or on the
package. TAKE THIS MEDICINE with a full glass (8-oz./240 ml) of water as
directed by your doctor. DO NOT lie down for 30 minutes after taking this
medicine. THIS MEDICINE MAY BE TAKEN WITH FOOD if it upsets your stomach. Taking
it with food may not decrease the risk of stomach or bowel problems (such as
bleeding or ulcers) that may occur while taking this medicine. Talk with your
doctor or pharmacist if you experience persistent stomach upset. If you use this
medicine for migraine headache, and the pain is not relieved or worsens after
the first dose, tell your doctor immediately. FOR NONPRESCRIPTION PRODUCTS: If
you are treating yourself or giving this medicine to a child for undiagnosed
fever or pain, consult the doctor immediately if symptoms do not improve within
24 hours, worsen, last more then 3 days, or if new symptoms appear. STORE THIS
MEDICINE at room temperature between 59 and 86 degrees F (15-30 degrees C) in a
tightly-closed container, away from heat, moisture, and light. IF YOU MISS A
DOSE OF THIS MEDICINE, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for
your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing
schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.
THIS MEDICINE INCREASES YOUR RISK OF SERIOUS STOMACH OR BOWEL PROBLEMS (such as
ulcers and bleeding). This risk is increased if you are elderly or are in poor
health, if you have a history of smoking or drinking alcohol, if you take
corticosteroid medicines (such as prednisone) or "blood thinners" (such as
warfarin), or if you take this medicine for a long period of time. THIS MEDICINE
MAY ALSO INCREASE YOUR RISK for certain serious heart and blood vessel problems
(such as heart attack and stroke). TAKE THIS MEDICINE EXACTLY AS PRESCRIBED BY
YOUR DOCTOR, at the lowest possible dose for the shortest time needed. Talk with
your doctor or pharmacist for further information. DO NOT TAKE THIS MEDICINE IF
YOU HAVE HAD A SEVERE ALLERGIC REACTION to aspirin or any medicine containing
aspirin or to a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (such as piroxicam,
ibuprofen, or oxaprozin). A severe reaction includes a severe rash, hives,
breathing difficulties, or dizziness. If you have a question about whether you
are allergic to this medicine or if a certain medicine is a nonsteroidal
anti-inflammatory drug, contact your doctor or pharmacist. IF YOU EXPERIENCE
difficulty breathing; tightness of chest; swelling of eyelids, face, or lips; or
if you develop a rash or hives, tell your doctor immediately. Do not take any
more of this medicine unless your doctor tells you to do so. IT MAY TAKE UP TO 2
WEEKS, taken regularly, for this medicine to work in certain conditions (such as
arthritis). Do not stop taking this medicine without checking with your doctor.
Laboratory and/or medical tests, including blood counts, liver function tests,
and kidney function tests, may be performed to monitor your progress or to check
for side effects, especially if you are taking this medicine for a long period
of time. KEEP ALL DOCTOR AND LABORATORY APPOINTMENTS while you are taking this
medicine. BEFORE YOU HAVE ANY MEDICAL OR DENTAL TREATMENTS, EMERGENCY CARE, OR
SURGERY, tell the doctor or dentist that you are using this medicine. THIS
MEDICINE MAY ALTER CERTAIN LAB TEST RESULTS. Make sure laboratory personnel and
your doctors know you use this medicine. THIS MEDICINE MAY CAUSE DIZZINESS OR
DROWSINESS. DO NOT DRIVE, OR DO ANYTHING ELSE THAT COULD BE DANGEROUS until you
know how you react to this medicine. Using this medicine alone, with other
medicines, or with alcohol may lessen your ability to drive or to perform other
potentially dangerous tasks. CHECK WITH YOUR DOCTOR ABOUT avoiding alcoholic
beverages while using this medicine. THIS MEDICINE CONTAINS SALT (sodium). If
you are on a salt-restricted diet, talk with your doctor about using this
medicine. THIS MEDICINE MAY CAUSE increased sensitivity to the sun. BEFORE YOU
BEGIN TAKING ANY NEW MEDICINE, either prescription or over-counter, check with
your doctor or pharmacist. This includes aspirin or any other non-steroidal
anti-inflammatory. Aspirin, as prescribed by your doctor for reasons such as
heart attack or stroke prevention (usually these dosages are 81-325 mg per day),
should be continued. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
CAUTION IS ADVISED WHEN USING THIS MEDICINE IN THE ELDERLY because they may be
more sensitive to the effects of this medicine, especially the risk of stomach
or bowel effects (such as bleeding or ulcers), or kidney effects. FOR WOMEN:
THIS MEDICINE should only be used when clearly needed during the first 6 months
of pregnancy. THIS MEDICINE IS NOT RECOMMENDED FOR USE DURING THE LAST 3 MONTHS
OF PREGNANCY DUE TO THE POTENTIAL FOR FETAL HARM. IF YOU PLAN ON BECOMING
PREGNANT, discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using this medicine
during pregnancy. THIS MEDICINE IS EXCRETED in breast milk. IF YOU ARE OR WILL
BE BREAST-FEEDING while you are using this medicine, check with your doctor of
pharmacist to discuss the risks to your baby.
SIDE EFFECTS that may occur while taking this medicine include upset stomach,
nausea, vomiting, heartburn, gas, headache, diarrhea, constipation, drowsiness,
or dizziness. If they continue or are bothersome, check with your doctor.
CONTACT YOUR DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY if you experience easy or unusual bruising or
bleeding, muscle pain or weakness, changes in hearing, ringing in your ears
(tinnitus), irregular heartbeat, very stiff neck, mental or mood changes, or
trouble sleeping. CONTACT YOUR DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY if you experience sharp or
crushing chest pain; sudden shortness of breath; sudden leg pain; sudden severe
headache, vomiting, dizziness, or fainting; changes in vision; numbness of an
arm or leg; slurred speech; one-sided weakness; sudden unexplained weight gain;
change in amount of urine produced; severe or persistent stomach pain; vomit
that looks like coffee grounds; black tarry stools; itching, reddened, swollen,
blistered, painful, or peeling skin; yellowing of the skin or eyes; dark urine;
right-sided tenderness; severe or persistent tiredness; fever, chills, or sore
throat; severe or persistent nausea; swelling of hands, ankles, feet, face,
lips, eyes, throat, or tongue; difficulty swallowing or breathing; or
hoarseness. AN ALLERGIC REACTION to this medicine is unlikely but seek
immediately medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of an allergic reaction
include rash, itching, swelling, severe dizziness, or trouble breathing. If you
notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor, nurse, or
pharmacist.
Drug interactions can result in unwanted side effects or prevent a medicine from
doing its job. Use our drug interaction checker to find out if your medicines
interact with each other.
If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency
room immediately. Symptoms of overdose may include severe stomach pain, trouble
breathing, seizures, extreme drowsiness or loss of consciousness.
If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.
DO NOT SHARE THIS MEDICINE with others for whom it was not prescribed. DO NOT
USE THIS MEDICINE for other health conditions. KEEP THIS MEDICINE out of the
reach of children and pets. IF YOU WILL BE TAKING THIS MEDICINE FOR AN EXTENDED
PERIOD OF TIME, be sure to obtain necessary refills before your supply runs out.
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