Naproxen

The label describes naproxen for the signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, ankylosing spondylitis and polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis.

It is also described for tendonitis, bursitis, acute gout, pain and primary dysmenorrhoea.

• Rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis
• Ankylosing spondylitis
• Tendonitis, bursitis and acute gout
• Pain and period pain

The label says the mechanism is not completely understood but involves inhibition of cyclooxygenase (COX-1 and COX-2).

This lowers prostaglandin production, which is linked to pain and inflammation.

This page covers the US label for naproxen tablets taken by mouth, with the dosing the label gives for adults and, where the label says so, children.

This is label-level information, not personal advice. Indian pack labels may differ, and your prescriber's instruction always comes first.

The label says to use the lowest effective dose for the shortest time. For adult arthritis, it describes naproxen sodium 275 mg or 550 mg twice daily, adjusted by response.

For pain, period pain, tendonitis and bursitis, it describes a starting dose of 550 mg, then 550 mg every 12 hours or 275 mg every 6 to 8 hours. The daily total should not exceed 1375 mg on day one, then 1100 mg.

For acute gout, the label describes 825 mg, then 275 mg every 8 hours. For juvenile arthritis, about 10 mg/kg daily in 2 doses, and tablets are not appropriate under 50 kg.

• Lowest dose for the shortest time
• Usually twice daily
• Daily maximum 1100 mg for pain after day one
• Children under 50 kg: tablets not appropriate

The boxed warning says NSAIDs raise the risk of heart attack and stroke, which can be fatal and may occur early. It also raises the risk of stomach and gut bleeding, ulcers and perforation, higher in older adults and those with prior ulcers.

The label says it must not be used around coronary artery bypass graft surgery, or with allergy to naproxen, or asthma, urticaria or allergic reactions after aspirin or other NSAIDs.

Use is limited between about 20 and 30 weeks of pregnancy and avoided from about 30 weeks, because of fetal heart vessel and kidney risks.

• Boxed warning: heart attack, stroke and GI bleeding
• Before or after bypass surgery
• Aspirin or NSAID allergy
• Stomach ulcer history
• Pregnancy from 20 weeks

• Warfarin and other anticoagulants
• Aspirin
• SSRIs and SNRIs
• The label says naproxen with anticoagulants such as warfarin raises the risk of serious bleeding.
• Antiplatelets, SSRIs and SNRIs also raise bleeding risk.
• Low-dose naproxen may interfere with the antiplatelet effect of low-dose aspirin.

No match in this label text. Ask your pharmacist about any medicine you take.

The label gives a storage range of 15 to 30 degrees C.

The label also says to keep the container tightly closed.

Follow the storage line on your own pack, and keep medicines out of the reach of children.

In the Drugs Rules schedules we checked, naproxen is listed under Schedule H (serial and rule: Schedule H, serial 345 (rules 65 and 97)). Schedule H medicines are sold only on a registered doctor's prescription.

We did not find naproxen on the National List of Essential Medicines 2022 in the list we checked.

The Jan Aushadhi (PMBJP) list we checked has 5 product rows that mention naproxen. We did not capture prices for them.

The banned fixed-dose combination list we checked has 3 entries that mention naproxen. This does not mean the single medicine is banned. Use our checker for a specific combination.

Jan Aushadhi lists naproxen products including Naproxen Tablets IP 500 mg 500 mg; Naproxen Tablets IP 250 mg 250 mg; Naproxen 250 mg and Domperidone 10 mg Tablet 250 mg; Naproxen 500 mg and Domperidone 10 mg Tablet 500 mg. We have not shown a price for them. Check the pack and the seller for the actual price.