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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. 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 and swelling.
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. 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. ADDITIONAL
MONITORING OF YOUR DOSE OR CONDITION may be needed if you are taking serotonin
reuptake blocker medicine such as fluoxetine or citalopram, alendronate, other
medicine for arthritis (such as methotrexate), aspirin, "blood thinners" such as
warfarin, corticosteroids such as prednisone, cyclosporine, high blood pressure
medicines (including ACE inhibitors such as captopril, angiotensin II receptor
antagonists such as losartan, and beta-blockers such as metoprolol), lithium,
other NSAIDS (e.g., ibuprofen, celecoxib), or "water pills" (diuretics such as
furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide, triamterene). DO NOT START OR STOP any medicine
without doctor or pharmacist approval. Inform your doctor of any other medical
conditions including 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, blood clotting
problems, stomach or bowel problems (such as bleeding or ulcers), 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/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. 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. SHAKE
WELL before taking a dose. Use a measuring device marked for medicine dosing.
Ask your pharmacist for help if you are unsure of how to measure this dose. 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. 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. Avoid excessive heat above 104 degrees F (40 degrees C). 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 Feldene, Motrin,
Naprosyn, Daypro). 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. In certain
conditions (e.g., arthritis), IT MAY TAKE UP TO 2 WEEKS, taken regularly, for
this medicine to work. 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. THIS MEDICINE MAY CAUSE DIZZINESS OR
DROWSINESS. DO NOT DRIVE, OPERATE MACHINERY, 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. LIMIT ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES. THIS
MEDICINE CONTAINS SALT (sodium). If you are on a salt-restricted diet, talk with
your doctor about using this medicine. BEFORE YOU BEGIN TAKING ANY NEW MEDICINE,
either prescription or over-the-counter, check with your doctor or pharmacist.
This includes any medicine that contains aspirin or other non-prescription pain
relievers. 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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