naproxen at a glance
Medicine class
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID).
Main effect
Relieves pain and reduces inflammation, swelling and stiffness.
Taking it
Take with or after food if possible and follow the instructions for the specific formulation.
Other NSAIDs
Do not combine with ibuprofen, aspirin used for pain or another NSAID unless directed by a clinician.
What is naproxen used for?
Licensing varies by product and formulation. Selected UK products cover:
Rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis and ankylosing spondylitis.
Acute gout.
Acute musculoskeletal disorders, including sprains, strains and painful inflammatory injuries.
Primary dysmenorrhoea (period pain).
Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis with certain prescription formulations.
Muscle and joint pain, including sports injuries and back, neck, wrist or foot pain, for the selected pharmacy gastro-resistant product in adults aged 18–50.
How does naproxen work?
Naproxen inhibits cyclo-oxygenase enzymes, reducing prostaglandins involved in pain, inflammation and fever. Platelet function and protection of the stomach and kidneys can also be affected.
naproxen preparations and strengths
Effervescent tablet
Route: Oral
Strengths: 250 mg
Gastro-resistant tablet
Route: Oral
Strengths: 250 mg, 375 mg, 500 mg
How to take naproxen
Follow the label, leaflet or prescription because instructions differ between formulations.
Take with or after food if possible to reduce stomach irritation.
Swallow standard tablets with water.
Swallow gastro-resistant tablets whole; do not chew, crush or break them.
Dissolve effervescent tablets fully in water and drink the solution as directed by the leaflet.
Shake oral suspension vigorously and measure it with the supplied oral syringe, spoon or cup, not a household spoon.
naproxen side effects
Common or expected effects
- Indigestion, stomach pain or bloating.
- Feeling sick or vomiting.
- Constipation or diarrhoea.
- Headache, dizziness, sleepiness or tiredness.
- Rash.
- Ringing in the ears.
Get urgent medical advice
- Stomach or intestinal ulcers or bleeding, possibly causing vomiting blood or black tar-like stools.
- Severe allergic reaction with breathing difficulty or swelling of the face, tongue or throat.
- Kidney injury, with blood in the urine, reduced urine, breathlessness or swelling.
- Fluid retention or heart failure symptoms, including new breathlessness and swollen ankles.
- Severe skin reactions with spreading rash, blisters, peeling skin, mouth sores or fever.
- Blood disorders causing unusual bruising, bleeding, recurrent infections, pallor or marked tiredness.
naproxen in pregnancy
Naproxen should generally be avoided during pregnancy unless a clinician considers it necessary. From 20 weeks it can affect fetal kidney function, amniotic-fluid volume and the ductus arteriosus; systemic NSAIDs are contraindicated after 28 weeks. Anyone who used naproxen after 20 weeks without medical supervision should tell their doctor or midwife promptly, particularly after repeated use.
naproxen while breastfeeding
Naproxen is not usually the preferred NSAID during breastfeeding because its longer half-life creates a risk of accumulation in the infant. If selected by a clinician, monitor the baby for vomiting, diarrhoea, unusual drowsiness, bruising or bleeding. Specialist advice is particularly important for premature or unwell infants.
naproxen interactions
Check prescription, pharmacy and herbal medicines before using naproxen. Important interactions include:
Other NSAIDs, including ibuprofen and pain-relief aspirin
Increased risk of ulcers, gastrointestinal bleeding and other NSAID adverse effects.
Anticoagulants and antiplatelet medicines
Bleeding risk can increase; monitoring may be required.
Common questions about naproxen
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Is naproxen the same as ibuprofen?
No. They are different NSAIDs and share many risks. They should not normally be taken together.
Can I take paracetamol with naproxen?
They may sometimes be used together because they belong to different medicine classes, but check with a pharmacist or prescriber and avoid products that duplicate ingredients.
Why should naproxen be taken with food?
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.