Naproxen

Naproxen (pronounced /nəˈprɒksən/) is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) commonly used for the reduction of moderate to severe pain, fever, inflammation and stiffness caused by conditions such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, gout, ankylosing spondylitis, injury (like fractures), menstrual cramps, tendinitis, bursitis, and the treatment of primary dysmenorrhea. Naproxen and naproxen sodium are marketed under various trade names including: Aleve, Anaprox, Miranax, Naprogesic, Naprosyn, Naprelan, Synflex.

Naproxen was first and originally marketed as the over-the-counter (OTC) drug in 1994, where OTC preparations are sold under the trade name Aleve. In Australia, small packets of lower-strength preparations of naproxen sodium are Schedule 2 Pharmacy Medicines.

Structure and details

Naproxen is a member of the 2-arylpropionic acid (profen) family of NSAIDs. It is an odorless, white to off-white crystalline substance. It is °C.

Adverse effects and warnings

Like other NSAIDs, naproxen is capable of producing disturbances in the gastrointestinal tract. Addition of a adverse effect. Naproxen in combination with a proton pump inhibitor is the safest NSAID combination.^{[citation needed]}

Also like other NSAIDs, naproxen can inhibit the excretion of anticoagulants (may increase risk of bleeding). Naproxen preparations containing sodium (e.g., Anaprox, Aleve, etc.) are not recommended for use in patients with sodium-sensitive hypertension, due to potential adverse effects on blood pressure in this small subset of hypertensive patients.

In August 2006, the journal Birth Defects Research Part B published results in the September issue indicating that pregnant women who take NSAIDs including naproxen in the first trimester run an increased risk of having a child with congenital birth defects, particularly heart anomalies.

Risk of heart attack or stroke

The National Institutes of Health prematurely terminated a randomized clinical trial of naproxen and diclofenac, which did show significantly increased risk at some or all dosages. In February of 2007, the American Heart Association released a scientific statement advising that, when possible, physicians should avoid using NSAIDs in patients at high risk for heart disease. When pain relief is necessary, the AHA advises that doctors should preferentially use acetaminophen or certain older, non-COX-2 selective NSAIDs.