AR-Naproxen Tablet 500mg Tablets

Naproxen is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). It reduces pain, swelling, stiffness and fever. It is used for:

• osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis
• tendinitis, bursitis and gout attacks
• period pain
• headaches, toothache, backache, muscle aches and fever

For arthritis it may take a week or more to feel the full benefit.

Take it exactly as your doctor or pharmacist tells you, or as the pack says, using the lowest amount for the shortest time.

• Take it with food or milk and a full glass of water to protect your stomach.
• Swallow delayed-release or long-acting tablets whole.
• Do not take it with other painkillers, such as ibuprofen or aspirin, unless a doctor tells you to.
• If you miss a dose, take it when you remember unless your next dose is nearly due. Never take a double dose.
• If you are treating yourself, see a doctor if pain lasts more than 10 days or fever more than 3 days.

Common side effects include:

• indigestion, constipation or wind
• headache, dizziness or drowsiness
• ringing in the ears

Get medical help straight away if you have:

• black or bloody stools, vomiting blood or what looks like coffee grounds, or bad stomach pain
• chest pain, shortness of breath, weakness on one side or slurred speech
• swelling of the face, lips or throat, trouble breathing, or a blistering rash
• yellow skin or eyes, swollen legs, or passing little or no urine

Check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking it if you:

• have had an allergy or asthma attack after aspirin or other NSAIDs
• have or have had stomach ulcers or bleeding
• have heart disease, high blood pressure, heart failure, or a recent heart attack or stroke
• have kidney or liver disease, asthma or a bleeding disorder
• are 65 or older
• take warfarin, steroids, other painkillers, or antidepressants such as sertraline or fluoxetine
• are breastfeeding or trying to get pregnant

Keep in the original, closed container at room temperature, away from heat and moisture (not in the bathroom), and out of the reach of children.

Heart and stomach: NSAIDs like naproxen can raise the risk of heart attack, stroke, and stomach ulcers or bleeding, which can happen without warning. Do not take it around heart bypass surgery.

Pregnancy: do not take it from 20 weeks of pregnancy unless your doctor tells you to, as it may harm the baby.

Alcohol: heavy drinking increases the risk of stomach bleeding.