What Naproxen tablets are and what they are used for

              Naproxen is used to relieve pain from various conditions such as headaches, muscle aches, tendonitis, dental pain, and menstrual cramps. It also reduces pain, swelling, and joint stiffness caused by arthritis, bursitis, and gout attacks. This medication is known as a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). It works by blocking your body's production of certain natural substances that cause inflammation.

Naproxen tablets are used to treat:

• Diseases of joints such as rheumatoid arthritis (including in children), osteoarthritis, ankylosing spondylitis. Naproxen cannot cure arthritis but is used to give relief of some symptoms such as inflammation, swelling, stiffness and joint pain.
• attacks of gout
• muscle and bone disorders
• painful periods

Before you take Naproxen tablets

Do not take Naproxen tablets if you:

• are in the last three months of pregnancy or if you are breastfeeding
• are allergic to naproxen or any of the other ingredients of Naproxen tablets (see section 6)
• are allergic to aspirin or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs), or you have developed signs of asthma (wheezing), runny nose, swelling of the skin or rash when taking these medicines
• have or have had stomach or duodenum (gut) ulcers, bleeding in the stomach or intestines (gastrointestinal bleeding) or have had two or more episodes of peptic ulcers, stomach bleeding or perforation
• have severe liver, kidney or heart failure
• If you are not sure about any of the above conditions, please ask your doctor.

Check with your doctor before taking Naproxen tablets if you:

• use other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs) or any medication which may cause bleeding or ulcers in the stomach
• have a history of gastrointestinal disease, e.g. ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease
• smoke
• drink alcohol
• are elderly
• have or have had high blood pressure or any liver, kidney or heart problems
• have or have had bronchial asthma, other breathing problems or nasal polyps
• have systemic lupus erythematosus or other connective tissue disorders
• have a blood clotting disorder
• are women trying to become pregnant or undergoing an investigation of infertility.

Pregnancy and breast-feeding

Naproxen may make it more difficult to become pregnant. You should inform your doctor if you are planning to become pregnant or if you have problems becoming pregnant.

You should not take Naproxen in the first six months of pregnancy and must not take Naproxen in the last three months of pregnancy or during labour.

If you are breast-feeding, you should not take Naproxen tablets.

How to take Naproxen tablets

Always take Naproxen tablets exactly as your doctor has told you. If you are not sure, check with your doctor or pharmacist.

Swallow with or after food.

Dose

Your doctor should prescribe as low a dose as possible. This will reduce any side effects you may experience.

Adults

• Rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis and ankylosing spondylitis
• 500mg-1g a day in two doses at twelve-hour intervals. If 1g is needed, this can be given as two 500mg doses or as a single dose.
• Attack of gout
• Initially, 750mg as a single dose then 250mg every 8 hours until the attack has passed.
• Muscle and bone disorders
• Initially, 500mg as a single dose then 250mg every 6-8 hours as necessary. Up to a maximum of 1250mg, a day may be given after the first day.

Children over five years for juvenile rheumatoid arthritis

10mg per kg of body weight a day, taken in two doses at twelve hourly intervals.

Elderly

Dosage may be reduced in the elderly.