Naproxen sodium is in a class of drugs called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (
NSAIDs). It is available as a generic ("Naproxen Sodium") and under the brand names of Aleve
®,
Anaprox®, and
Naprelan®. Naproxen sodium is used to reduce pain, inflammation, and stiffness caused by many conditions, including injury,
arthritis, gout, menstrual cramps, and other types of bone, muscle, or tendon pain. It is also combined with other medications in several cold, allergy, and flu products.
What Is Naproxen Sodium Used For?
Its uses include the following:
- Pain relief, such as for pain following a medical procedure, from straining a muscle, or for inflammation in a tendon (tendonitis) or bursa (bursitis). Naproxen sodium can also be used to treat general pain, such as lower back pain, neck pain, or knee pain.
- Treatment of arthritis symptoms, including pain, stiffness, and swelling. Naproxen sodium can be used to treat several different types of arthritis, including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile arthritis (also known as juvenile rheumatoid arthritis), ankylosing spondylitis, and gout. However, naproxen sodium cannot cure arthritis.
- Treatment of painful menstrual periods.
- As mentioned, naproxen sodium may also be combined with other medications in several common cold, allergy, and flu products to help relieve common cold symptoms, such as fever and aches and pains.
Naproxen sodium and other
NSAIDs work by inhibiting the action of certain hormones that cause inflammation and pain in the body. These hormones are called prostaglandins.
By blocking the effects of prostaglandins, naproxen sodium is useful in reducing pain related to bone, muscle, or tendon injury or inflammation; reducing fever; and alleviating pain and joint swelling associated with different forms of
arthritis and other diseases.
When and How Do I Take Naproxen Sodium?
Some general considerations for when and how to take the medication include the following:
- Naproxen sodium comes in tablet, gelcap, or caplet (capsule-shaped tablet) form. The medication is usually taken by mouth no more than twice a day or every 12 hours. It works best when taken with food.
- Do not break, chew, or crush the naproxen sodium tablet, gelcap, or caplet.
- For the medication to work properly, you have to take it as prescribed. It will not work if you stop taking it.
- It is important to take the lowest effective dose for the least amount of time in order to treat your condition. This will decrease the chances of serious side effects occurring.
The dosage of naproxen sodium that your healthcare provider recommends will vary, depending on a number of factors, including:
- The medical condition being treated
- Other medical conditions you may have
- Other medications you may be currently taking.
As is always the case, do not adjust your dose unless your healthcare provider specifically instructs you to do so. You should not take over-the-counter naproxen sodium for more than 10 days without first talking to your healthcare provider.
Side Effects of Naproxen Sodium
(The side effects listed below are not a complete list of possible side effects. Your healthcare provider can discuss a more complete list with you.)
As with any medicine, there are possible side effects with
naproxen sodium. Yet, not everyone who takes the drug will experience side effects. In fact, most people tolerate it quite well. If side effects do occur, in many cases, they are minor, meaning that they require no treatment or are easily treated by you or your healthcare provider.
Common side effects with naproxen sodium include:
- Heartburn
- Stomach pain
- Nausea
- Constipation
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Drowsiness
- Itching
- Unexplained rash
- Ringing in the ears
- Shortness of breath
- Fluid retention.
Less common but serious side effects include:
These possible side effects are seen with all
NSAIDs and can lead to life-threatening complications or even loss of life.
What Should I Tell My Healthcare Provider?
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warns that people using
NSAIDs (other than aspirin), including naproxen sodium, may have a higher risk of developing a
heart attack or
stroke than those who do not take NSAIDs. This risk may be higher in people who have been taking NSAIDs for a long time. These events can occur without any warning and can lead to death. Tell your doctor if you have or ever had any of the following:
You should also talk to your healthcare provider prior to taking naproxen sodium if you have:
- Asthma
- Congestive heart failure
- Liver disease or liver failure
- Kidney disease or kidney failure
- Bleeding problems or are taking medicine that decreases the blood's ability to clot
- Diabetes
- Stomach ulcers, stomach bleeding, or a history of either one
- Any allergies to medicines, including sulfa drugs, aspirin, or other NSAID pain medicines.
Let your healthcare provider know if you:
- Are pregnant or thinking about becoming pregnant (see Naproxen and Pregnancy)
- Are breastfeeding
- Drink alcohol frequently
- Smoke
- Are having or have recently had heart surgery.
Also, tell your healthcare provider about all other medicines that you may currently be taking, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
What If I Take a Naproxen Sodium Overdose?
People who take too much of this medication may have overdose symptoms that could include, but are not limited to:
- Bleeding
- Vomiting
- Difficulty breathing
- Dizziness
- Excessive sleepiness
- Difficulty urinating.
If you happen to overdose on
naproxen sodium, seek immediate medical attention.
Naproxen sodium should be stored at room temperature and kept in an airtight container.
Keep naproxen sodium and all medications out of the reach of children.
What Should I Do If I Miss a Dose?
If you do not take your naproxen sodium as scheduled, take your next dose as soon as you remember. If it is close to the next scheduled dose, skip the missed one and continue with normal dosing. Never take a double dose!
Who Makes Naproxen Sodium?
Naproxen sodium is manufactured by several different companies, depending on the product selected.
Aleve is manufactured by Bayer,
Anaprox is manufactured by Roche, and
Naprelan is manufactured by Blansett Pharmaceuticals.
Generic Naproxen Sodium is manufactured by several companies, including:
- Watson Pharmaceuticals
- Teva Pharmaceuticals
- Sandoz.
Naproxen Versus Naproxen Sodium
The difference between naproxen (
Naprosyn®) and naproxen sodium is that naproxen sodium is more rapidly absorbed into the body, which leads to faster pain relief. For people taking naproxen, pain relief can begin in about one hour. With naproxen sodium, pain relief can begin within 30 minutes.
Strengths of Naproxen Sodium
Naproxen sodium is available in several strengths, depending on the brand and whether it is over-the-counter or prescription strength.
Over-the-counter products (such as Aleve, Pamprin
® Maximum Strength, or
generic Naproxen Sodium) are available as 220-mg oral tablets, gelcaps, or caplets.
Prescription strengths are available in the following strengths:
- Naproxen sodium 275 mg tablet
- Naproxen sodium 550 mg tablet
- Naprelan 375 mg tablet
- Naprelan 500 mg tablet
- Anaprox 275 mg tablet
- Anaprox DS 550 mg tablet.
Naproxen sodium can also be found in other over-the-counter combination cold and allergy medications. Be sure to always read the package label or speak with your healthcare provider before taking a medication for the first time.
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