What is Naprosyn (Naproxen)?

From the Guidelines

Naprosyn (naproxen) should be used with caution in patients with a history of gastrointestinal bleeding, kidney disease, or heart conditions, and the lowest effective dose should be used for the shortest duration possible to minimize the risk of adverse effects, as recommended by the American Heart Association 1.

Key Considerations

• The typical adult dose of Naprosyn is 250-500 mg twice daily, with a maximum daily dose of 1500 mg.
• Naprosyn should be taken with food to minimize gastrointestinal side effects.
• Patients with kidney disease, heart conditions, or a history of gastrointestinal bleeding should be closely monitored while taking Naprosyn.
• Long-term use of Naprosyn should be avoided due to potential cardiovascular and renal risks.

Mechanism of Action

• Naprosyn works by inhibiting cyclooxygenase enzymes (COX-1 and COX-2), which reduces prostaglandin production and decreases inflammation and pain.

Potential Risks

• Gastrointestinal side effects, including stomach upset, heartburn, and potentially ulcers.
• Cardiovascular risks, including increased risk of heart attack and stroke.
• Renal risks, including decreased kidney function and increased risk of kidney disease.

Important Interactions

• Naprosyn should not be combined with other NSAIDs.
• Patients should avoid alcohol while taking Naprosyn.

Monitoring and Follow-up

• Patients taking Naprosyn should be closely monitored by a healthcare provider for potential adverse effects.
• Regular follow-up appointments should be scheduled to assess the effectiveness of treatment and minimize the risk of adverse effects.

Recent Guidelines

• The American Heart Association recommends that Naprosyn be used with caution in patients with a history of gastrointestinal bleeding, kidney disease, or heart conditions 1.
• The American College of Cardiology Foundation Task Force on Clinical Expert Consensus Documents recommends that patients taking Naprosyn be monitored for potential cardiovascular risks 1.

From the FDA Drug Label

Naproxen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) with analgesic and antipyretic properties. The mechanism of action of the naproxen anion, like that of other NSAIDs, is not completely understood but may be related to prostaglandin synthetase inhibition Naproxen tablets are indicated: For the relief of the signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis For the relief of the signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis For the relief of the signs and symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis For the relief of the signs and symptoms of juvenilearthritis Naproxen tablets are also indicated: For relief of the signs and symptoms of tendonitis For relief of the signs and symptoms of bursitis For relief of the signs and symptoms of acute gout For the management of pain For the management of primary dysmenorrhea

Naprosyn (Naproxen) is used for the relief of pain, inflammation, and fever. The main indications are:

• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Osteoarthritis
• Ankylosing spondylitis
• Juvenile arthritis
• Tendonitis
• Bursitis
• Acute gout
• Primary dysmenorrhea 2 2

From the Research

Naprosyn Overview

• Naprosyn, also known as naproxen, is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used to treat pain and inflammation 3, 4.
• It is available over-the-counter (OTC) and is commonly used to treat various types of acute pain, including dysmenorrhea, headache, and dental pain 4.

Safety Profile

• A pooled analysis of eight randomized controlled trials found that the safety profile of naproxen closely resembled that of placebo, with similar rates of adverse events across treatment groups 3.
• The most frequently reported adverse events were related to the gastrointestinal system, with no differences between groups 3.
• Another study found that adults had mixed perceptions about the effectiveness of analgesics, including naproxen, and that knowledge of the risks of high doses of NSAIDs was generally low 5.

Efficacy

• Naproxen has been shown to be effective in treating acute pain, including dysmenorrhea, headache, and dental pain 4.
• A preclinical study found that naproxen had comparable efficacy to other NSAIDs, including ibuprofen and diclofenac, in reducing acid-stimulated body stretching and acid-depressed feeding behaviors in rats 6.
• Another study found that naproxen was more effective than acetaminophen in minimizing physical side effects of IFN beta-1a therapy in patients with multiple sclerosis 7.

Comparison to Other Medications

• Naproxen has been compared to other NSAIDs, including ibuprofen and diclofenac, in terms of efficacy and safety 3, 6.
• A study found that naproxen and ibuprofen were more effective than acetaminophen in minimizing physical side effects of IFN beta-1a therapy in patients with multiple sclerosis 7.
• Another study found that there were no significant differences between the efficacies of naproxen, ibuprofen, diclofenac, and acetaminophen in reducing acid-stimulated body stretching and acid-depressed feeding behaviors in rats 6.