Brand Names: Aleve, Aleve Caplet, Aleve Easy Open Arthritis, Aleve Gelcap, Anaprox, Anaprox-DS, Comfort Pac with Naproxen, EC-Naprosyn, Leader Naproxen Sodium, Midol Extended Relief, Naprelan '375', Naprelan '500', Naprelan '750', Naprosyn

Generic Name: naproxen (Pronunciation: na PROX en)

• What is naproxen (Naprosyn, Anaprox, Anaprox DS)?
• What are the possible side effects of naproxen?
• What is the most important information I should know about naproxen?
• What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking naproxen?
• How should I take naproxen?
• What happens if I miss a dose?
• What happens if I overdose?
• What should I avoid while taking naproxen?
• What other drugs will affect naproxen?
• Where can I get more information?

What is naproxen (Naprosyn, Anaprox, Anaprox DS)?

Naproxen is in a group of drugs called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Naproxen works by reducing hormones that cause inflammation and pain in the body.

Naproxen is used to treat pain or inflammation caused by conditions such as arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, tendinitis, bursitis, gout, or menstrual cramps.

Naproxen may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

EC-Naprosyn 500 mg

oblong, white, imprinted with EC-NAPROSYN, 500

Naprelan 375 mg

oblong, white, imprinted with W, 901

Naprelan 375 mg-VIC

oblong, white, imprinted with N, 375

Naprelan 500 mg

oblong, white, imprinted with W, 902

Naprosyn 250 mg

round, yellow, imprinted with NAPROSYN 250, ROCHE

Naprosyn 500 mg

oblong, yellow, imprinted with NAPROSYN, 500

Naproxen 250 mg-DAV

round, pink, imprinted with MOVA, 250 M25

Naproxen 250 mg-GG

round, yellow, imprinted with GG 724

Naproxen 250 mg-MYL

round, white, imprinted with 377, MYLAN

Naproxen 250 mg-PER

round, white, imprinted with L121

Naproxen 250 mg-TEV

round, pink, imprinted with 93, 147

Naproxen 250 mg-WAT

round, white, imprinted with WATSON 821

Naproxen 275 mg-APH

elliptical, white, imprinted with INV286

Naproxen 275 mg-GG

elliptical, yellow, imprinted with GG 417

Naproxen 275 mg-MYL

round, blue, imprinted with M, 537

Naproxen 275 mg-TEV

oval, white, imprinted with 93, 536

Naproxen 375 mg EC-ETH

round, white, imprinted with 302, ETHEX

Naproxen 375 mg EC-GG

oblong, white, imprinted with GG 935

Naproxen 375 mg-DR-TEV

oblong, white, imprinted with 93-5

Naproxen 375 mg-GG

oblong, peach, imprinted with GG 725

Naproxen 375 mg-MYL

oblong, white, imprinted with 555, MYLAN

Naproxen 375 mg-TEV

oblong, peach, imprinted with 93, 148

Naproxen 375 mg-WAT

oblong, gray, imprinted with WATSON 822

Naproxen 500 mg EC-ETH

oblong, white, imprinted with ETHEX, 303

Naproxen 500 mg EC-GG

oblong, white, imprinted with GG 936

Naproxen 500 mg-DAV

oblong, pink, imprinted with MOVA, 500 M50

Naproxen 500 mg-DR-TEV

oblong, white, imprinted with 93-6

Naproxen 500 mg-GG

oblong, yellow, imprinted with GG 726

Naproxen 500 mg-MYL

oblong, white, imprinted with MYLAN, 451

Naproxen 500 mg-TEV

oblong, pink, imprinted with 93, 149

Naproxen 500 mg-WAT

oblong, white, imprinted with WATSON 791

Naproxen 550 mg-APH

oblong, white, imprinted with INV287

Naproxen 550 mg-TEV

oblong, white, imprinted with 93, 537

Naproxen Sodium 275 mg-WAT

oval, white, imprinted with WATSON 792

Naproxen Sodium 550 mg-WAT

oval, green, imprinted with WATSON 793

What are the possible side effects of naproxen?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop taking naproxen and seek medical attention or call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

• chest pain, weakness, shortness of breath, slurred speech, problems with vision or balance;
• black, bloody, or tarry stools;
• coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds;
• swelling or rapid weight gain;
• urinating less than usual or not at all;
• nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
• fever, sore throat, and headache with a severe blistering, peeling, and red skin rash;
• bruising, severe tingling, numbness, pain, muscle weakness; or
• fever, headache, neck stiffness, chills, increased sensitivity to light, purple spots on the skin, and/or seizure (convulsions).

Less serious side effects may include:

• upset stomach, mild heartburn or stomach pain, diarrhea, constipation;
• bloating, gas;
• dizziness, headache, nervousness;
• skin itching or rash;
• blurred vision; or
• ringing in your ears.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Read the Naprosyn, Anaprox, Anaprox DS (naproxen) Side Effects Center for a complete guide to possible side effects »

What is the most important information I should know about naproxen?

This medicine can increase your risk of life-threatening heart or circulation problems, including heart attack or stroke. This risk will increase the longer you use naproxen. Do not use this medicine just before or after having heart bypass surgery (also called coronary artery bypass graft, or CABG).

Seek emergency medical help if you have symptoms of heart or circulation problems, such as chest pain, weakness, shortness of breath, slurred speech, or problems with vision or balance.

This medicine can also increase your risk of serious effects on the stomach or intestines, including bleeding or perforation (forming of a hole). These conditions can be fatal and gastrointestinal effects can occur without warning at any time while you are taking naproxen. Older adults may have an even greater risk of these serious gastrointestinal side effects.

Call your doctor at once if you have symptoms of bleeding in your stomach or intestines. This includes black, bloody, or tarry stools, or coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds.

Do not use any other over-the-counter cold, allergy, or pain medication without first asking your doctor or pharmacist. Many medicines available over the counter contain aspirin or other medicines similar to naproxen (such as ibuprofen or ketoprofen). If you take certain products together you may accidentally take too much of this type of medication. Read the label of any other medicine you are using to see if it contains aspirin, ibuprofen, or ketoprofen.

Do not drink alcohol while taking naproxen. Alcohol can increase the risk of stomach bleeding caused by naproxen.

Avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight. Naproxen can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight, and a sunburn may result.