Naproxen is in a group of drugs called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Naproxen works by reducing hormones that cause inflammation and pain in the body.

Naproxen is used to treat pain or inflammation caused by conditions such as arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, tendinitis, bursitis, gout, or menstrual cramps.

Naproxen may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

Take this medication exactly as directed on the label, or as it has been prescribed by your doctor. Do not use the medication in larger amounts, or use it for longer than recommended.

EC-Naprosyn is a slower-acting form of naproxen and this brand should be used only for treating arthritis or ankylosing spondylitis. Follow your doctor’s instructions.

Do not crush, chew, or break an extended-release or enteric-coated tablet. Swallow the pill whole. The extended-release pill is specially made to release medicine slowly in the body. Breaking the pill would cause too much of the drug to be released at one time. The enteric-coated pill has a special coating to protect your stomach. Breaking the pill could damage this coating.

Shake the oral suspension (liquid) well just before you measure a dose. To be sure you get the correct dose, measure the liquid with a marked measuring spoon or medicine cup, not with a regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.

If you take naproxen for a long period of time, your doctor may want to check you on a regular basis to make sure this medication is not causing harmful effects. Do not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.

Store naproxen at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

Before taking naproxen, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following drugs:

• a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin);

• lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid);

• methotrexate (Rheumatrex, Trexall);

• diuretics (water pills) such as furosemide (Lasix);

• steroids (prednisone and others);

• aspirin or other NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as diclofenac (Cataflam, Voltaren), etodolac (Lodine), flurbiprofen (Ansaid), indomethacin (Indocin), ketoprofen (Orudis), ketorolac (Toradol), mefenamic acid (Ponstel), meloxicam (Mobic), nabumetone (Relafen), piroxicam (Feldene), and others; or

• an ACE inhibitor such as benazepril (Lotensin), captopril (Capoten), fosinopril (Monopril), enalapril (Vasotec), lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril), ramipril (Altace), and others.

If you are using any of these drugs, you may not be able to use naproxen or you may need dosage adjustments or special tests during treatment.

There may be other drugs not listed that can affect naproxen. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

Do not use any other over-the-counter cold, allergy, or pain medication without first asking your doctor or pharmacist. Many medicines available over the counter contain aspirin or other medicines similar to naproxen (such as ibuprofen or ketoprofen). If you take certain products together you may accidentally take too much of this type of medication. Read the label of any other medicine you are using to see if it contains aspirin, ibuprofen, or ketoprofen.

Do not drink alcohol while taking naproxen. Alcohol can increase the risk of stomach bleeding caused by naproxen.

Avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight. Naproxen may increase the sensitivity of the skin to sunlight. Use a sunscreen and wear protective clothing when exposure to the sun is unavoidable.

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. Symptoms of a naproxen overdose may include nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, confusion, drowsiness, black or bloody stools, coughing up blood, shallow breathing, fainting, or coma.

Since naproxen is sometimes taken as needed, you may not be on a dosing schedule. If you are taking the medication regularly, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at your next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

This medicine can increase your risk of life-threatening heart or circulation problems, including heart attack or stroke. This risk will increase the longer you use naproxen. Do not use this medicine just before or after having heart bypass surgery (also called coronary artery bypass graft, or CABG).

Seek emergency medical help if you have symptoms of heart or circulation problems, such as chest pain, weakness, shortness of breath, slurred speech, or problems with vision or balance.

This medicine can also increase your risk of serious effects on the stomach or intestines, including bleeding or perforation (forming of a hole). These conditions can be fatal and gastrointestinal effects can occur without warning at any time while you are taking naproxen. Older adults may have an even greater risk of these serious gastrointestinal side effects.

Call your doctor at once if you have symptoms of bleeding in your stomach or intestines. This includes black, bloody, or tarry stools, or coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds.

Do not use any other over-the-counter cold, allergy, or pain medication without first asking your doctor or pharmacist. Many medicines available over the counter contain aspirin or other medicines similar to naproxen (such as ibuprofen or ketoprofen). If you take certain products together you may accidentally take too much of this type of medication. Read the label of any other medicine you are using to see if it contains aspirin, ibuprofen, or ketoprofen.

Do not drink alcohol while taking naproxen. Alcohol can increase the risk of stomach bleeding caused by naproxen.

Avoid exposure to sunlight or artificial UV rays (sunlamps or tanning beds). Naproxen can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight and sunburn may result.

Taking an NSAID can increase your risk of life-threatening heart or circulation problems, including heart attack or stroke. This risk will increase the longer you use an NSAID. Do not use this medicine just before or after having heart bypass surgery (also called coronary artery bypass graft, or CABG).

NSAIDs can also increase your risk of serious effects on the stomach or intestines, including bleeding or perforation (forming of a hole). These conditions can be fatal and gastrointestinal effects can occur without warning at any time while you are taking an NSAID. Older adults may have an even greater risk of these serious gastrointestinal side effects.

Do not use this medication if you are allergic to naproxen, or if you have a history of allergic reaction to aspirin or other NSAIDs.

Before taking naproxen, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:

• a history of heart attack, stroke, or blood clot;

• heart disease, congestive heart failure, high blood pressure;

• a history of stomach ulcers or bleeding;

• liver or kidney disease;

• asthma;

• polyps in your nose;

• a bleeding or blood clotting disorder; or

• if you smoke.

If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to use naproxen, or you may need a dosage adjustment or special tests during treatment.

FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. Taking naproxen during the last 3 months of pregnancy may result in birth defects. Do not take naproxen during pregnancy unless your doctor has told you to.

Naproxen can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Do not give this medicine to a child younger than 2 years old without the advice of a doctor.

Your pharmacist has information about naproxen written for health professionals that you may read.

Naproxen is available with a prescription generically and under the brand names Anaprox, Naprosyn, EC-Naprosyn, and Naprelan. It is also available over-the-counter under the brand name Aleve. Other brand or generic formulations may also be available. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about this medication, especially if it is new to you.

• Naprosyn 250 mg—round, yellow tablets

• Naprosyn 375 mg—oblong, peach-colored tablets

• Naprosyn 500 mg—oblong, yellow tablets

• Naprosyn Suspension 125 mg per 5 mL (1 teaspoon)

• EC-Naprosyn 375 mg—capsule-shaped, white tablets

• EC-Naprosyn 500 mg—capsule-shaped, white tablets

• Anaprox 275 mg—oval, light-blue, film-coated tablets

• Anaprox DS 550 mg—oval, dark-blue, film-coated tablets

• Naprelan 375 mg—capsule-shaped, white tablets

• Naprelan 500 mg—capsule-shaped, white tablets