Last Updated on March 16, 2024
Naproxen sodium is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used to relieve pain and inflammation. It is available without a prescription in many countries, including the UK. Over-the-counter naproxen sodium can help reduce pain and inflammation caused by a variety of conditions, including arthritis, menstrual cramps, headaches and muscle aches.
In the UK, naproxen sodium is widely available from pharmacies and supermarkets. It is important to follow the instructions carefully when taking naproxen sodium over the counter and to avoid taking more than the recommended dose. It is also important to be aware of possible side effects, such as stomach upset or dizziness. If you have any concerns about taking naproxen sodium over the counter, talk to your doctor or pharmacist for advice.
Overall, over-the-counter naproxen sodium can be a safe and effective option for treating pain and inflammation. However, it is important to use it responsibly and to seek medical advice if necessary. If you are unsure where to buy naproxen sodium over the counter in the UK, or have any questions about its use, speak to your local pharmacist or healthcare professional for advice.
Around Naproxen
Naproxen reduces pain and inflammation in muscles and joints. It is used to treat conditions such as osteoarthritis, arthritis and gout of the joints.
It is also used for muscle and menstrual pain and bone disorders, such as sprains and back pain and strains.
Naproxen is available on prescription as a liquid or as pills that you swallow. You can buy it over the counter.
Children can take naproxen if it is prescribed for them.
Save money: Naproxen and naproxen sodium come in common formulations
Its salt formula and naproxen have been around for quite a long time. In 1980, the FDA actually accepted the first formulations of naproxen sodium. This is very good news as formulations of several (though not all) naproxen and naproxen sodium medications are now available, saving you healthcare dollars in the drugstore.
For example, the brand name medication Anaprox is roughly equivalent to the OTC naproxen sodium (Aleve) that you can buy in the pharmacy. It is easy to use the OTC naproxen sodium that is generic as you want from the Anaprox that is expensive to get the exact same pain relief. Just make sure to ask your doctor what the OTC dose that is identical could be. Anaprox is available only on prescription.
As an example, 60 pills of 275 milligram (mg) brand name Anaprox would cost approximately $200.00 money price depending on the drugstore, but the generic OTC model costs around $6.00. Many doctors have the generic prescription edition of Anaprox in their $4.00 listing of generic drugs, too, so make sure you check and get a prescription from your doctor if necessary. Remember to pay cash since in the event that your prescription runs out it will cost you more.
Naproxen is used to relieve menstrual cramps, but generics will save you money and work just as well. For menstrual cramps, it might be less costly to use the generic or store brand Naproxen Sodium compared to the goods like Pamprin or Midol Extended Relief so it is worth comparing all day. Make sure that you check the bundle dimensions, also, to make sure that you are getting a fantastic bargain.
Uses
Naproxen is used to relieve pain caused by conditions such as toothache, muscle pain, tendonitis, headaches and menstrual cramps. It reduces pain and stiffness caused by arthritis, bursitis, and strokes. This medicine is known as a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). It works by blocking the body’s own production of inflammatory substances.
If you’re being treated for a chronic condition such as arthritis, ask your doctor or health care professional about using non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to treat your pain. See also warnings.
The best way to use naproxen tablet
Read the medication guide provided by your pharmacist before you start using naproxen and each time you get a refill. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.
Take this medicine by mouth as directed by your doctor, usually two or three times a day with a full glass of water (8 ounces/240 millilitres). Do not lie down for at least 10 minutes after taking a dose of this medicine. To reduce stomach upset, take this medicine with a glass of milk or an antacid.
Your dose will be based on your medical condition and response to therapy. To reduce the risk of stomach bleeding and other side effects, take this medicine with food. Don’t increase your dose or stop taking this medicine. For conditions such as arthritis, continue to take this medicine as directed by your doctor.
For certain conditions (such as arthritis), it may take about 2 months of regular use before you get the full benefit of this medicine.
If you’re taking this medicine “on demand” (not on a regular schedule), remember that pain relievers work best when taken at the first sign of pain. The medicine may not work if you wait until the pain has gotten worse.
Tell your doctor if your condition doesn’t improve or if it gets worse.
Exactly how and when you should use it
To avoid an upset stomach, always take your naproxen tablets with or after a meal.
As a general guideline the dose to cure, in adults:
- Disorders of joints is 500mg to 1000mg per day in 1 to 2 divided doses
- muscle, bone disorders and painful periods is 500mg initially, then 250mg every 6 to 8 hours as necessary
- attacks of gout is 750mg, then 250mg every 8 hours until the attack has passed
Doses are lower for individuals and older people with kidney, liver or heart issues.
Your child’s weight will be used to calculate the dose.
The dose depends on the reason you’re taking it, how well your kidneys and liver are working, and it will help your symptoms if you get naproxen on prescription.
Should you buy naproxen from a drugstore for painful periods?
- On the first day – take two pills as soon as the pain starts, then after 6 to 8 hours take one more pill a day if you want.
- Over the next few days – take one pill every 6 to 8 hours as needed.
Don’t take more than 3 tablets a day.
Side effects
Like all medicines, naproxen can cause unwanted side effects, but not everyone will experience them.
Common side effects
Side effects of naproxen include and occur in more than 1 in 100 individuals:
- confusion
- aggravation
- ringing in the ears
- changes in eyesight
- fatigue and feeling tired
- nausea
- rashes
Common side effects of naproxen occur in more than 1 in 1,000 people. They include:
- melancholy
- irregular heartbeat (palpitations)
- unnatural dreams
- forgetfulness
- difficulty concentrating
- moderate skin sensitivity (may cause blistering)
- trouble sleeping
Naproxen may cause:
- baldness
- issues with hearing
- Inflammation of the blood vessels – causing swelling, fever and general discomfort
- asthma getting worse
- muscle fatigue and pain
- blisters on the inner lips, tongue and gums
Speak with your doctor or pharmacist if you bother or do not go away.
Serious unwanted effects
Tell your doctor immediately if you have any of these symptoms:
- severe indigestion, nausea, stomach pain, nausea or vomiting, or diarrhoea (warning signs of an ulcer or inflammation in the bowel)
- vomiting blood or dark particles that look like coffee grounds, blood in the stool, or dark, tarry stools (warning signs of bleeding and perforation of the bowel and intestines)
- regular sore throats, nosebleeds and illnesses (warning signs of abnormalities in your arteries called agranulocytosis)
- fainting, chest discomfort, or breathlessness (warning signs of anaemia)
- fever, feeling sick or vomiting, confusion, headache, neck stiffness and stiffness to light (warning signals of aseptic meningitis)
- a serious skin rash with nausea, flushing or ulcers (warning signs of Stevens-Johnson syndrome)
- blood on your urine, a reduction in how much urine is passed, feeling sick or vomiting (warning signs of kidney damage or disease)
- feeling exhausted, loss of appetite, feeling sick or vomiting, pale-coloured poo, and yellowing of the skin or whites of their eyes (jaundice or inflammation of the liver)
- irregular, slow heartbeats Brought on by high levels of potassium from the bloodstream
- Fever, stomach pain and nausea (warning signs of pancreatitis)
You may read more about some of the side effects within our queries.
Acute allergic response
In rare situations, it is likely to have a severe allergic reaction.
A serious allergic reaction is a crisis. Contact a doctor immediately if you think you or someone around you is having a severe allergic reaction.
The signs of a severe allergic reaction are:
- skin rash, which may be itchy, red, swollen, blistered or peeling
- wheezing
- tightness in the neck or chest
- having difficulty breathing or speaking
- swelling of the mouth, lips, face, tongue, or throat
These aren’t all of the side effects of Naproxen. For a complete list see the booklet within your medications packet.
You are able to record any suspected side impact into the UK security scheme.
The way to Deal with unwanted effects
Things to take into account:
- Aggravation – be sure to rest and drink plenty of fluids. Do not drink alcohol. Consult your pharmacist. Headaches should go away after the first week of taking Naproxen. Speak with your doctor if they so are acute or two last.
- Feeling tired, tired or dizzy – because your body becomes accustomed to Naproxen, these side effects should burn.
- Changes in eyesight – do not push for a week.
- Dizziness – in case Naproxen makes you feel dizzy, then stop everything you are doing and sit or lie down till you are feeling better.
Mechanism of action
Naproxen is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, or NSAID for short. Like all NSAIDs, it has analgesic and antipyretic properties as well as an anti-inflammatory effect.
The analgesic effect is due to the inhibition of the enzyme cyclooxygenase (COX). Through this mechanism, naproxen reduces the formation of pain-promoting neurotransmitters called prostaglandins. This relieves pain and reduces inflammation. The anti-inflammatory effect is also due to the accumulation of the drug in inflamed tissue.
Naproxen is a standard treatment for rheumatic pain, not rheumatoid painful swelling and inflammation. It is also used for an acute attack of gout.
Naproxen is chemically very similar to common painkillers, but is longer in the body. The active ingredient in naproxen tablets is completely absorbed into the bloodstream in the intestine. Half is absorbed by the body only 15 hours after taking the tablet. It is a long-acting drug. However, this longer effect is also associated with stronger naproxen side effects. The drug is eventually inactivated by the liver and completely eliminated from the body by the kidneys.
Due to its analgesic, antipyretic and anti-inflammatory effects, Naproxen is mainly used for chronic inflammatory diseases of the joints and other inflammatory rheumatic conditions. It is therefore used to treat pain caused by:
- acute and chronic inflammation of the joints (arthritis)
- acute gout attack
- joint wear (arthrosis)
- the rheumatic spinal diseases
- painful swelling and inflammation after injury
It is used to treat conditions such as menstrual pain and fever. Because of its long-lasting effect, naproxen is also good for treating long-term pain.
Naproxen is taken as tablets before meals. It can also be taken fasting for severe pain.
The painkiller can be taken two or three times a day, every eight to twelve hours. The maximum dose of 1250 mg a day should not be exceeded. Also, do not take more than 1000 milligrams of naproxen in one sitting.
For anti-inflammatory and antipyretic effects, higher doses of naproxen must be used than for pain. For this reason, people with rheumatic diseases often need to take naproxen for a longer period of time and experience more severe side effects. In principle, NSAIDs should always be taken in the lowest possible dose and for the shortest possible time.
The use of naproxen depends on age, and children and adolescents up to the age of 11 should take low doses. During pregnancy and breast-feeding the drug is not recommended or only advised if absolutely necessary.
In addition, the drug should not be used at:
- gastric and duodenal ulcers (ulcers)
- a known hypersensitivity to the active substance
- severe heart failure or kidney failure (Insuffiezienz)
Naproxen should not be taken together with the following substances:
- drugs to thin the blood (oral anticoagulants)
- hypertension means (antihypertensives)
- certain substances for the treatment of heart failure (Digoxin) or epilepsy (Phenytoin)
- means for increased water excretion (ACE inhibitors and other diuretics)
- glucocorticoids
- agents that lower the immune system functions diminish: cyclosporine A, Tacrolimus
If naproxen is taken at the same time as acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) to thin the blood (by inhibiting platelet aggregation, i.e. co-storing platelets), ASA loses its effectiveness. The two drugs must therefore be taken at different times in these patients.
Naproxen is available for self-medication in the form of tablets and suppositories. Various doses are available. Low doses are available over the counter, but higher doses can be prescribed by a doctor.
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