Generic Name: Naproxen

Use

Naprosyn is used to treat the signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, ankylosing spondylitis (severe swelling of a spinal joint that mostly affects males and can lead to adhesion of bones to one another in the affected area) and juvenile arthritis.

Dosage

Naprosyn may be taken with food or an antacid, and with a full glass of water to avoid stomach upset. Avoid taking it on an empty stomach. If you are using Naprosyn for arthritis, it should be taken regularly; take it exactly as prescribed.

Side effects

Abdominal pain, bruising, constipation, difficult or labored breathing, dizziness, drowsiness, headache, heartburn, indigestion, itching, nausea, ringing in ears, skin eruptions, swelling due to fluid retention. Less common or rare side effects may include: Abdominal bleeding, black stool, blood in urine, changes in liver function, chills and fever, colitis, congestive heart failure, depression, diarrhea, dream abnormalities, general feeling of illness, hair loss, hearing disturbances or loss, inability to concentrate, inability to sleep, inflammation of the lungs, inflammation of the mouth, kidney disease or failure, light-headedness, menstrual disorders, muscle pain and weakness, peptic ulcer, red or purple spots on the skin, severe allergic reaction, skin inflammation due to sensitivity to light, skin rashes and hives, sweating, thirst, throbbing heartbeat, vertigo, visual disturbances, vomiting, vomiting of blood, yellow skin and eyes.

Precautions

If Naprosyn is taken with certain other drugs, the effects of either could be increased, decreased, or altered. It is especially important to check with your doctor before combining Naprosyn with the following: ACE inhibitors such as the blood-pressure drug Zestril, Aspirin, Beta blockers such as the blood-pressure drug Tenormin, Blood-thinning drugs such as Coumadin, Furosemide (Lasix), Lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid), Methotrexate Naproxen sodium (Aleve, Anaprox), Oral diabetes drugs such as Diabinese and Micronase Phenytoin (Dilantin), Probenecid (Benemid), Sulfa drugs such as the antibiotics Bactrim and Septra.