Naproxen
Indications for use
- Boots Period Pain Reliever: Treatment of primary dysmenorrhoea (period pain)
- Naprosyn Pain Relief: Short-term relief of acute musculoskeletal pain such as sprains and strains, sporting injuries, lower back pain, neck pain, or pain in the wrists or feet
Age
- Boots Period Pain Reliever: 15 to 50 years
- Naprosyn Pain Relief: 18 to 50 years
Dose/Directions
- To be taken preferably with or after food, swallowed whole with water
- Day 1: 2 tablets (500 mg) initially and then one tablet (250 mg) after 6 to 8 hours if needed
- Days 2 and 3: If needed, one tablet (250 mg) should be taken every 6 to 8 hours (not more than 3 tablets to be taken per day)
Duration
- Boots Period Pain Reliever: Maximum of 3 days per menstrual cycle
- Naprosyn Pain Relief: Maximum of 3 days; consult a doctor if needed for longer or if symptoms worsen
Contra-indications/referral criteria
- Hypersensitivity to naproxen or other NSAIDs (including history of asthma, urticaria or rhinitis precipitated by aspirin or other NSAIDs)
- History of, or active, peptic ulceration and active GI bleeding or perforation (including that related to previous NSAID use)
- Severe heart, hepatic or renal failure
- Last trimester of pregnancy
- Caution is required prior to starting treatment in patients with a history of hypertension and/or mild to moderate heart failure, as fluid retention, hypertension and oedema have been reported in association with NSAID therapy
Examples of drug interactions
- Avoid concomitant use with aspirin or other NSAIDs
- Anticoagulants (e.g. warfarin): NSAIDs may enhance the effects of anticoagulants; increased risk of serious GI bleeding
- Antiplatelet agents (e.g. clopidogrel): increased risk of GI bleeding
- SSRIs: increased risk of GI bleeding when used with NSAIDs
- Corticosteroids: increased risk of GI ulceration or bleeding
- Lithium: naproxen may increase plasma lithium levels; monitor if co-administered
Side-effects
- Most common side-effects are: nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, flatulence, constipation, dyspepsia, abdominal pain, heartburn and epigastric distress
- Dizziness, drowsiness, vertigo, insomnia, fatigue, depression or visual disturbances are possible undesirable effects after taking NSAIDs. If affected, patients should not drive or operate machinery
Other pertinent information
- Naprosyn Pain Relief 250 mg gastro-resistant tablets (Maxwellia) – for acute musculoskeletal pain
- Boots Period Pain Reliever 250 mg gastro-resistant tablets (Accord) – for dysmenorrhoea
- According to the manufacturer, there are insufficient data regarding the effects of low dose naproxen 250 mg to 750 mg daily to draw firm conclusions on possible thrombotic risks
- Reclassified POM→P: 2008 (dysmenorrhoea), 2025 (musculoskeletal); dysmenorrhoea P→GSL: 2016. Both P and GSL products for dysmenorrhoea remain available; musculoskeletal indication is P only