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naproxen

 
(nə-prŏk'sən) pronunciation
n.
A drug, C14H14O3, used to reduce inflammation and pain, especially in the treatment of arthritis.

[Shortening and alteration of methoxynaphthylpropionic acid, one of its chemical names.]


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Drug Info:

Naproxen

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Brand names: Aflaxen™, Aleve®, Anaprox®, Anaprox® DS, Mediproxen®, Naprelan®, Naprelan® 375, Naprelan® 500, Naprosyn®, Wal-Proxen

Chemical formula:



Naproxen Gastro-resistant tablet

What is this medicine?

NAPROXEN (na PROX en) is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). It is used to reduce swelling and to treat pain. This medicine may be used for dental pain, headache, or painful monthly periods. It is also used for painful joint and muscular problems such as arthritis, tendinitis, bursitis, and gout.
 
This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.

What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
• asthma
• cigarette smoker
• drink more than 3 alcohol containing drinks a day
• heart disease or circulation problems such as heart failure or leg edema (fluid retention)
• high blood pressure
• kidney disease
• liver disease
• stomach bleeding or ulcers
• an unusual or allergic reaction to naproxen, aspirin, other NSAIDs, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• breast-feeding

How should I use this medicine?

Take this medicine by mouth with a glass of water. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Do not cut, crush or chew this medicine. Take it with food if your stomach gets upset. Try to not lie down for at least 10 minutes after you take it. Take your medicine at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed. Long-term, continuous use may increase the risk of heart attack or stroke.

A special MedGuide will be given to you by the pharmacist with each prescription and refill. Be sure to read this information carefully each time.

Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.

Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.
NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.

What may interact with this medicine?

• alcohol
• antacids
• aspirin
cidofovir
• diuretics
lithium
• medicines for stomach, or intestine problems, like acid reflux or GERD
methotrexate
• other drugs for inflammation like ketorolac or prednisone
pemetrexed
probenecid
sucralfate
warfarin

This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.

What should I watch for while using this medicine?

Tell your doctor or health care professional if your pain does not get better. Talk to your doctor before taking another medicine for pain. Do not treat yourself.
 
This medicine does not prevent heart attack or stroke. In fact, this medicine may increase the chance of a heart attack or stroke. The chance may increase with longer use of this medicine and in people who have heart disease. If you take aspirin to prevent heart attack or stroke, talk with your doctor or health care professional.
 
Do not take other medicines that contain aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen with this medicine. Side effects such as stomach upset, nausea, or ulcers may be more likely to occur. Many medicines available without a prescription should not be taken with this medicine.
 
This medicine can cause ulcers and bleeding in the stomach and intestines at any time during treatment. Do not smoke cigarettes or drink alcohol. These increase irritation to your stomach and can make it more susceptible to damage from this medicine. Ulcers and bleeding can happen without warning symptoms and can cause death.
 
You may get drowsy or dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how this medicine affects you. Do not stand or sit up quickly, especially if you are an older patient. This reduces the risk of dizzy or fainting spells.
 
This medicine can cause you to bleed more easily. Try to avoid damage to your teeth and gums when you brush or floss your teeth.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?

Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:
• black or bloody stools, blood in the urine or vomit
• blurred vision
• chest pain
• difficulty breathing or wheezing
• nausea or vomiting
• skin rash, skin redness, blistering or peeling skin, hives, or itching
• slurred speech or weakness on one side of the body
• swelling of eyelids, throat, lips
• unexplained weight gain or swelling
• unusually weak or tired
• yellowing of eyes or skin

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
• constipation
• headache
• heartburn

This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Where should I keep my medicine?

Keep out of the reach of children.

Store at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F). Keep container tightly closed. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.

Last updated: 7/1/2002

Important Disclaimer: The drug information provided here is for educational purposes only. It is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the diagnosis, treatment and advice of a medical professional. This drug information does not cover all possible uses, precautions, side effects and interactions. It should not be construed to indicate that this or any drug is safe for you. Consult your medical professional for guidance before using any prescription or over the counter drugs.


An non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug used for the treatment of pain and inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis (including arthritis in children), acute gout, and other disorders of the joints or muscles. It is also used to relieve period pains. Naproxen is available, on prescription only, as tablets and enteric-coated tablets.

Side effects:
see non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

Precautions and interactions with other drugs:
see non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

Proprietary preparations:
Arthroxen; Feminax Ultra; Naprosyn; Naprosyn enteric-coated; Synflex; Napratec (packaged with misoprostol).

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A non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug used to treat chronic inflammatory conditions, such as arthritis. Its use for treating soft-tissue sports injuries has been advocated.

Columbia Encyclopedia:

naproxen

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naproxen and naproxen sodium, potent nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) used to alleviate the minor pain of arthritis, menstruation, headaches, and the like, and to reduce fever. Along with ibuprofen and ketoprofen, they belong to the propionic acid class of NSAIDs. They have been available as prescription drugs for arthritis from 1976. Naproxen sodium was approved at a low dosage as an over-the-counter painkiller in the United States in 1994; it was first marketed under the tradename Aleve. Side effects may include gastrointestinal distress and dizziness, and renal impairment has been reported in some instances with long-term use. The drugs should not be used by those who are allergic to aspirin.


A propionic acid derivative with analgesic, antipyretic and anti-inflammatory activity (a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agent); its use is associated with gastroduodenal ulceration in dogs.

Naproxen
Systematic (IUPAC) name
(+)-(S)-2-(6-methoxynaphthalen-2-yl)
propanoic acid
Clinical data
Pregnancy cat. C(AU) B(US)
Legal status Pharmacy Only (S2) (AU) P (UK) OTC (US) OTC(Ca)
Routes Oral
Pharmacokinetic data
Bioavailability 95% (oral)
Protein binding 99%
Metabolism Hepatic (to 6-desmethylnaproxen)
Half-life 12–24 hours
Excretion Renal
Identifiers
CAS number 22204-53-1 YesY
ATC code G02CC02 M01AE02, M02AA12
PubChem CID 156391
DrugBank APRD01135
ChemSpider 137720 YesY
UNII 57Y76R9ATQ YesY
KEGG D00118 YesY
ChEBI CHEBI:7476 YesY
ChEMBL CHEMBL154 YesY
Chemical data
Formula C14H14O3 
Mol. mass 230.259 g/mol
SMILES eMolecules & PubChem
 N(what is this?)  (verify)

Naproxen sodium (INN) (play /nəˈprɒksən/) is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) commonly used for the reduction of pain, fever, inflammation and stiffness caused by conditions such as:

It is also used for the treatment of primary dysmenorrhea. It works by inhibiting both the COX-1 and COX-2 enzymes. Naproxen and naproxen sodium are marketed under various trade names, including: Aleve, Anaprox, Antalgin, Feminax Ultra, Flanax, Inza, Midol Extended Relief, Nalgesin, Naposin, Naprelan, Naprogesic, Naprosyn, Narocin, Proxen, Synflex and Xenobid.

Naproxen was originally marketed as the prescription drug Naprosyn by Syntex in 1976, and naproxen sodium was first marketed under the trade name Anaprox in 1980. It remains a prescription-only drug in much of the world. In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved its use as an over-the-counter (OTC) drug in 1994; OTC preparations in the U.S. are mainly marketed by Bayer HealthCare under the trade name Aleve and generic store brand formulations. In Australia, packets of 275 mg tablets of naproxen sodium are Schedule 2 pharmacy medicines, with a maximum daily dose of 5 tablets or 1375 mg. In the United Kingdom, 250 mg tablets of naproxen were approved for OTC sale under the brand name Feminax Ultra in 2008, for the treatment of primary dysmenorrhoea in women aged 15 to 50.[1] Aleve became available over-the-counter in most provinces in Canada on 14 July 2009, it became available in Quebec during the summer of 2010 but can only be dispensed by a pharmacy employee after an assessment of the patient's needs. It most recently became available in British Columbia in March 2011. [2]

Contents

Risks and adverse effects

COX-2 selective and non-selective NSAIDs have been linked to increases in the number of serious and potentially fatal cardiovascular events such as myocardial infarctions and stroke. A 2011 meta-analysis published in the British Medical Journal states that, of all NSAIDs evaluated, naproxen was associated with the smallest overall cardiovascular risks.[3] The drug had roughly 50% of the associated risk of stroke as compared with ibuprofen and was also associated with a reduced number of myocardial infarctions as compared to control groups.

As with other NSAIDs, naproxen can cause gastrointestinal problems such as heartburn, constipation, diarrhea, ulcers, and stomach bleeding [4], and those with a history of ulcers or inflammatory bowel disease should consult a doctor before taking naproxen. Consumption of alcohol may increase the risk of gastrointestinal complications.

NSAID Painkillers, such as Naproxen, may interfere and reduce efficiency of SSRI antidepressants [5][6]

Structure and details

Naproxen is a member of the 2-arylpropionic acid (profen) family of NSAIDs. The free acid is an odorless, white to off-white crystalline substance. It is lipid-soluble and practically insoluble in water. It has a melting point of 152-154 °C.

Synthesis

Naproxen has been industrially produced by Syntex as follows:[7]

Large-Scale Synthesis of S-naproxen.png

Other synthetic routes have also been discussed.[7]

See also

References

External links


 
 

 

Copyrights:

American Heritage Dictionary. The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.  Read more
Drug Info. Gold Standard. Copyright © 2008 by Gold Standard. All rights reserved.  Read more
 Oxford A-Z of Medicinal Drugs. Market University Press. © 2000, 2003, 2010 An A-Z of Medicinal Drugs. All rights reserved.  Read more
Oxford Dictionary of Sports Science & Medicine. The Oxford Dictionary of Sports Science & Medicine. Copyright © Michael Kent 1998, 2006, 2007. All rights reserved.  Read more
Columbia Encyclopedia. The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition Copyright © 2012, Columbia University Press. Licensed from Columbia University Press. All rights reserved. www.cc.columbia.edu/cu/cup/ Read more
Saunders Veterinary Dictionary. Saunders Comprehensive Veterinary Dictionary 3rd Edition. Copyright © 2007 by D.C. Blood, V.P. Studdert and C.C. Gay, Elsevier. All rights reserved.  Read more
Wikipedia on Answers.com. This article is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article Naproxen Read more

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