Naproxen Safety for a 23-Year-Old with Shoulder Strain
Naproxen is safe and appropriate for short-term use (3 days) in a healthy 23-year-old with normal blood pressure (123/89) and a shoulder strain. 1
Safety Profile for Young Adults with Normal Blood Pressure
- Naproxen is generally well-tolerated for short-term use in young, healthy individuals without pre-existing cardiovascular, renal, or gastrointestinal conditions 2, 1
- The 3-day duration minimizes risk of adverse effects, as most NSAID complications occur with prolonged use or in high-risk populations 2
- A blood pressure of 123/89 is within normal range and does not indicate hypertension that would contraindicate NSAID use 3
Efficacy for Shoulder Pain
- Naproxen has demonstrated effectiveness in treating acute shoulder pain and musculoskeletal conditions like shoulder strain 4, 5
- Studies show naproxen significantly reduces pain and improves subjective impression of shoulder restriction in patients with shoulder conditions 4
Risk Assessment for This Specific Patient
- Young age (23 years) is protective against most NSAID-related complications, as risk increases linearly at approximately 4% per year of advancing age 2
- Short duration therapy (3 days) significantly reduces risk compared to chronic use 2
- Normal blood pressure indicates low cardiovascular risk 3, 6
- Absence of other risk factors (no mention of gastrointestinal, renal, or cardiovascular disease) places this patient in a low-risk category 2, 3
Precautions to Consider
- Even short-term NSAID use carries a small risk of gastrointestinal effects, though these are significantly less common in young, healthy individuals 3
- Patient should be advised to take naproxen with food to minimize potential gastrointestinal irritation 2
- If pain persists beyond 3 days, reevaluation is recommended rather than continuing naproxen long-term 2
- Patient should be advised to avoid alcohol while taking naproxen to reduce risk of gastrointestinal irritation 2
Dosing Recommendations
- Standard over-the-counter dosing (220-440 mg twice daily) is appropriate for this indication 1
- The lowest effective dose should be used for the shortest duration needed to control symptoms 3
- Total daily dose should not exceed 1000 mg for over-the-counter use 1
In conclusion, the 3-day course of naproxen for a shoulder strain in this young adult with normal blood pressure presents minimal risk and is an appropriate first-line treatment option.