Naproxen (Page 7 of 8)
Medication Guide for Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)
(See the end of this Medication Guide for a list of prescription NSAID medicines.)
What is the most important information I should know about medicines called Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)?
NSAID medicines may increase the chance of a heart attack or stroke that
can lead to death. This chance increases:
- with longer use of NSAID medicines
- in people who have heart disease
NSAID medicines should never be used right before or after a heart surgery
called a “coronary artery bypass graft (CABG).”
NSAID medicines can cause ulcers and bleeding in the stomach and
intestines at any time during treatment. Ulcers and bleeding:
- can happen without warning symptoms
- may cause death
The chance of a person getting an ulcer or bleeding increases with:
- taking medicines called “corticosteroids” and “anticoagulants”
- longer use
- smoking
- drinking alcohol
- older age
- having poor health
NSAID medicines should only be used:
- exactly as prescribed
- at the lowest dose possible for your treatment
- for the shortest time needed
What are Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)?
NSAID medicines are used to treat pain and redness, swelling, and heat (inflammation) from medical conditions such as:
- different types of arthritis
- menstrual cramps and other types of short-term pain
Who should not take a Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug (NSAID)?
Do not take an NSAID medicine:
- if you had an asthma attack, hives, or other allergic reaction with aspirin or any other NSAID medicine
- for pain right before or after heart bypass surgery
Tell your healthcare provider:
- about all your medical conditions.
- about all of the medicines you take. NSAIDs and some other medicines can interact with each other and cause serious side effects. Keep a list of your medicines to show to your healthcare provider and pharmacist.
- if you are pregnant. NSAID medicines should not be used by pregnant women late in their pregnancy.
- if you are breastfeeding. Talk to your doctor.
| Serious side effects include: | Other side effects include: |
| heart attack | stomach pain |
| stroke | constipation |
| high blood pressure | diarrhea |
| heart failure from body swelling (fluid retention) | gas |
| kidney problems including kidney failure | heartburn |
| bleeding and ulcers in the stomach and intestine | nausea |
| low red blood cells (anemia) | vomiting |
| life-threatening skin reactions | dizziness |
| life-threatening allergic reactions | |
| liver problems including liver failure | |
| asthma attacks in people who have asthma |
Get emergency help right away if you have any of the following symptoms:
- shortness of breath or trouble breathing
- slurred speech
- chest pain
- swelling of the face or throat
- weakness in one part or side of your body
Stop your NSAID medicine and call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms:
- nausea
- there is blood in your bowel movement or it is black and sticky like tar
- more tired or weaker than usual
- itching
- your skin or eyes look yellow
- unusual weight gain
- stomach pain
- skin rash or blisters with fever
- flu-like symptoms
- swelling of the arms and legs, hands and feet
- vomit blood
These are not all the side effects with NSAID medicines. Talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information about NSAID medicines.
Other information about Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)
- Aspirin is an NSAID medicine but it does not increase the chance of a heart attack. Aspirin can cause bleeding in the brain, stomach, and intestines. Aspirin can also cause ulcers in the stomach and intestines.
- Some of these NSAID medicines are sold in lower doses without a prescription (over- the-counter). Talk to your healthcare provider before using over-the- counter NSAIDs for more than 10 days.
| Generic Name | Tradename |
| Celecoxib | Celebrex® |
| Diclofenac | Cataflam® , Voltaren® , Arthrotec™ (combined with misoprostol) |
| Diflunisal | Dolobid® |
| Etodolac | Lodine® , Lodine® XL |
| Fenoprofen | Nalfon® , Nalfon® 200 |
| Flurbirofen | Ansaid® |
| Ibuprofen | Motrin® , Tab-Profen® , VVicoprofen®*(combined with hydrocodone), |
| CombunoxTM (combined with oxycodone) | |
| Indomethacin | Indocin® , Indocin® SR, Indo-Lemmon™, Indomethagan™ |
| Ketoprofen | Oruvail® |
| Ketorolac | Toradol® |
| Mefenamic Acid | Ponstel® |
| Meloxicam | Mobic® |
| Nabumetone | Relafen® |
| Naproxen | Naprosyn® , Anaprox® , Anaprox® DS, EC-Naproxyn® , Naprelan® , Naprapac ® (copackaged with lansoprazole) |
| Oxaprozin | Daypro® |
| Piroxicam | Feldene® |
| Sulindac | Clinoril® |
| Tolmetin | Tolectin® , Tolectin DS® , Tolectin® 600 |
This Medication Guide has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Manufactured by:
Glenmark Generics Ltd
Colvale-Bardez, Goa 403 513
India
Manufactured for:
Glenmark Generics Inc., USA
Mahwah, NJ 07430
January 2009
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