Naproxen Side Effects (Cont.)

Common Naproxen Side Effects

Naproxen has been studied extensively in clinical trials, with thousands of people worldwide having been evaluated. In these studies, side effects are always documented and compared to those that occur in a similar group of people not taking the medicine. This way, it is possible to see what side effects occur, how often they appear, and how they compare to the group not taking the medicine.
 
Based on these studies, the most common naproxen side effects, occurring in more than 3 percent of people, include:
 
  • Heartburn
  • Stomach pain
  • Nausea
  • Constipation
  • Headache
  • Dizziness
  • Drowsiness
  • Itching
  • Unexplained rash
  • Ringing in the ears
  • Shortness of breath
  • Fluid retention.
     

Rare Naproxen Side Effects

During clinical studies, some side effects occurred rarely in people taking naproxen. These side effects occurred in less than 3 percent of people. Because these side effects are so uncommon, it is difficult to tell whether they were actually caused by the medication or something else. These possible naproxen side effects include but are not limited to:
 
  • Diarrhea
  • Indigestion (dyspepsia)
  • Spinning sensation (vertigo)
  • Lightheadedness
  • Vision or hearing problems
  • Heart palpitations
  • Increase in liver enzymes
  • Ulcer in the stomach or intestines (peptic ulcer)
  • High blood pressure (hypertension)
  • Hepatitis
  • Depression
  • Insomnia
  • Hair loss (alopecia)
  • Infertility.
     

Naproxen Side Effects: Final Thoughts

You may experience some or none of the naproxen side effects listed in this article. Unfortunately, there is no way for your healthcare provider to know beforehand if you will have side effects from a medicine that you have never tried. Therefore, make sure to let your healthcare provider know if you develop any side effects while taking the drug or if something "just does not seem right." While it may not be a side effect of naproxen, your healthcare provider will be able to diagnose and treat the problem.
 

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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;