Naprosyn EC

How does it work?

Naprosyn EC tablets contain the active ingredient naproxen, which is a type of medicine called a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). NSAIDs are used to relieve pain and inflammation. (NB. Naproxen is also available without a brand name, ie as the generic medicine.)

Naproxen works by blocking the action of a substance in the body called cyclo-oxygenase (COX). Cyclo-oxygenase is involved in the production of various chemicals in the body, some of which are known as prostaglandins. Prostaglandins are produced by the body in response to injury and certain diseases and conditions, and cause pain, swelling and inflammation. Naproxen blocks the production of these prostaglandins and is therefore effective at reducing inflammation and pain.

Naproxen is used to relieve pain and inflammation in a wide range of musculoskeletal conditions, including various forms of arthritis, gout, muscle sprains and strains, back pain, neck pain and tendinitis. It can also be used to relieve period pain.

Naprosyn EC tablets have a special 'enteric coat' that is designed to prevent the tablet breaking down and releasing the naproxen in the stomach, and thus reduce the risk of it irritating the stomach. When the tablet reaches the intestine, the coating dissolves and the naproxen is absorbed into the bloodstream. The tablets should be swallowed whole and not broken or chewed to avoid damaging this coating.

What is it used for?

In adults and children over 16 years of age, relief of pain and inflammation in the following conditions:

Rheumatoid arthritis

Osteoarthritis

A form of arthritis affecting the joints of the spine (ankylosing spondylitis)

Painful disorders of the muscles and skeleton, such as tendon inflammation (tendinitis), sprains, strains, back pain, neck pain

Period pain

Warning!

Naprosyn EC tablets should be swallowed whole and not broken, crushed or chewed.

NSAIDs can occasionally cause serious side effects on the gut, such as ulceration, bleeding or perforation of the stomach or intestinal lining. This type of side effect is more likely to occur in elderly people and in people taking high doses of the medicine. The risk can also be increased by taking certain other medicines (see below). It is important that these people, as well as people with a history of disorders affecting the stomach or intestines, are closely monitored by a doctor while taking this medicine. If your doctor thinks you are at high risk of side effects on the gut you may be prescribed an additional medicine to help protect your gut. All people taking this medicine should stop treatment and consult their doctor immediately if they experience any sign of bleeding from the stomach or intestine during treatment, for example vomiting blood and/or passing black/tarry/bloodstained stools.

This medicine may cause dizziness or drowsiness and so may affect your ability to drive or operate machinery safely. Do not drive or operate machinery until you know how this medicine affects you and you are sure it won't affect your performance.

This medicine may mask the signs and symptoms of infection, such as fever and inflammation. This may make you think mistakenly that an infection is getting better when it isn't, or that an infection is less serious than it is. For this reason you should tell your doctor if you get an infection while you are taking this medicine.

If you have cirrhosis of the liver, heart failure or kidney disease, you are on a low sodium diet, you are taking diuretic medicines, or you are recovering from major surgery, your kidney function should be assessed before starting and regularly throughout treatment with this medicine.

During long-term treatment with this medicine you should have regular check-ups with your doctor so that you can be monitored for possible side effects of the medicine. This might include routine blood tests to monitor your kidney function, liver function and levels of blood components, particularly if you are elderly.

Very rarely, NSAIDS may cause serious blistering or peeling skin reactions (eg Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis, exfoliative dermatitis). For this reason, you should stop taking this medicine and consult your doctor if you get a skin rash or sores inside your mouth while taking this medicine. This side effect is very rare, but if it occurs, is most likely to happen in the first month of treatment.

If you need to have a test to monitor the functioning of your adrenal glands while taking this medicine, you should let the doctor performing the test know that you are taking naproxen. They may want you to stop taking the naproxen a couple of days before the test, as it could interfere with the results.

Use with caution in

Elderly people

History of disorders affecting the stomach or intestines

Inflammatory bowel disease such as Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis

Decreased kidney function

Decreased liver function

Heart failure

High blood pressure

History of asthma

History of allergies

People with blood clotting disorders or taking anticoagulant medicines

Diseases affecting connective tissue, eg systemic lupus erythematosus

Not to be used in

People in whom aspirin or other NSAIDs, eg ibuprofen, cause allergic reactions such as asthma attacks, itchy rash (urticaria), nasal inflammation (rhinitis) or swelling of the lips, tongue and throat (angioedema)

Active peptic ulcer or bleeding from the gut

People who have had recurrent peptic ulcers or bleeding from the gut (two or more episodes)

People who have experienced bleeding or perforation of the gut as a result of previous treatment with an NSAID

Severe heart failure.

Naprosyn EC tablets are not recommended for children under 16 years of age.

This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy. If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using this medicine and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.

This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnancy unless considered essential by your doctor. This is particularly important in the first and third trimesters. If taken in the third trimester it may delay labour, increase the length of labour and cause complications in the newborn baby. Some evidence suggests that NSAIDs should also be avoided by women attempting to conceive, as they may temporarily reduce female fertility during treatment and may also increase the risk of miscarriage or malformations. Seek medical advice from your doctor.

This medicine passes into breast milk. It is not recommended for use by mothers who are breastfeeding. Seek medical advice from your doctor.

Label warnings

This medication is to be swallowed whole, not chewed.

Do not take indigestion remedies at the same time of day as this medication.

Go To Next Page>>
The documents contained in this web site are presented for information purposes only. The material is in no way intended to replace professional medical care or attention by a qualified practitioner. The materials in this web site cannot and should not be used as a basis for diagnosis or choice of treatment. Conditions for use



© Copyright 1998 - 2004 NetDoctor.co.uk - All rights reserved