Naproxen — Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient

Naproxen is an active pharmaceutical ingredient found in 8 FDA-approved drug products. Forms: TABLET, DELAYED RELEASE, TABLET, CAPSULE, DELAYED REL PELLETS, TABLET, SUSPENSION. Routes: ORAL.

This content is for informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional.

Naproxen (8 brand names, 4 dosage forms, 1 route)

Available dosage forms: TABLET, DELAYED RELEASE, TABLET, CAPSULE, DELAYED REL PELLETS, TABLET, SUSPENSION.

Routes of administration: ORAL.

Brand Names

  • EC-NAPROSYN
  • NAPROSYN
  • NAPROXEN
  • NAPROXEN AND ESOMEPRAZOLE MAGNESIUM
  • PREVACID NAPRAPAC 250 (COPACKAGED)
  • PREVACID NAPRAPAC 375 (COPACKAGED)
  • PREVACID NAPRAPAC 500 (COPACKAGED)
  • VIMOVO

Boxed Warning

Cardiovascular Thrombotic Events Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) cause an increased risk of serious cardiovascular thrombotic events, including myocardial infarction and stroke, which can be fatal. This risk may occur early in treatment and may increase with duration of use [ see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ]. Naproxen sodium tablets are contraindicated in the setting of coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery [ see Contraindications (4), Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ]. Gastrointestinal Bleeding, Ulceration, and Perforation NSAIDs cause an increased risk of serious gastrointestinal (GI) adverse events including bleeding, ulceration, and perforation of the stomach or intestines, which can be fatal. These events can occur at any time during use and without warning symptoms. Elderly patients and patients with a prior history of peptic ulcer disease and/or GI bleeding are at greater risk for serious GI events [ see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ].

Indications and Usage

Naproxen sodium tablets are indicated for: the relief of the signs and symptoms of: rheumatoid arthritis osteoarthritis ankylosing spondylitis polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis Naproxen sodium tablets are also indicated for: the relief of the signs and symptoms of: tendonitis bursitis acute gout the management of: pain primary dysmenorrhea

Contraindications

Naproxen sodium tablets are contraindicated in the following patients: Known hypersensitivity (e.g., anaphylactic reactions and serious skin reactions) to naproxen or any components of the drug product [ see Warnings and Precautions (5.7, 5.9) ] History of asthma, urticaria, or other allergic-type reactions after taking aspirin or other NSAIDs. Severe, sometimes fatal, anaphylactic reactions to NSAIDs have been reported in such patients [ see Warnings and Precautions (5.7, 5.8) ] In the setting of coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery [ see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ]

Adverse Reactions

The following adverse reactions are discussed in greater detail in other sections of the labeling: Cardiovascular Thrombotic Events [ see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)] GI Bleeding, Ulceration, and Perforation [ see Warnings and Precautions (5.2)] Hepatotoxicity [ see Warnings and Precautions (5.3)] Hypertension [ see Warnings and Precautions (5.4)] Heart Failure and Edema [ see Warnings and Precautions (5.5)] Renal Toxicity and Hyperkalemia [ see Warnings and Precautions (5.6)] Anaphylactic Reactions [ see Warnings and Precautions (5.7)] Serious Skin Reactions [ see Warnings and Precautions (5.9)] Hematologic Toxicity [ see Warnings and Precautions (5.12)]

Drug Interactions

See Table 1 for clinically significant drug interactions with naproxen. Table 1: Clinically Significant Drug Interactions with naproxen Drugs That Interfere with Hemostasis Clinical Impact: Naproxen and anticoagulants such as warfarin have a synergistic effect on bleeding. The concomitant use of naproxen and anticoagulants have an increased risk of serious bleeding compared to the use of either drug alone. Serotonin release by platelets plays an important role in hemostasis. Case-control and cohort epidemiological studies showed that concomitant use of drugs that interfere with serotonin reuptake and an NSAID may potentiate the risk of bleeding more than an NSAID alone. Intervention: Monitor patients with concomitant use of naproxen sodium with anticoagulants (e.g., warfarin), antiplatelet agents (e.g., aspirin), selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), and serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) for signs of bleeding [ see Warnings and Precautions (5.12) ]. Aspirin Clinical Impact: A pharmacodynamic (PD) study has demonstrated an interaction in which lower dose naproxen (220mg/day or 220mg twice daily) interfered with the antiplatelet effect of low-dose immediate-release aspirin, with the interaction most marked during the washout period of naproxen ( see 12.2 Pharmacodynamics ). There is reason to expect that the interaction would be present with prescription doses of naproxen or with enteric-coated low-dose aspirin; however, the peak interference with aspirin function may be later than observed in the PD study due to the longer washout period. Controlled clinical studies showed that the concomitant use of NSAIDs and analgesic doses of aspirin does not produce any greater therapeutic effect than the use of NSAIDs alone. In a clinical study, the concomitant use of an NSAID and aspirin was associated with a significantly increased incidence of GI adverse reactions as compared to use of the NSAID alone [ see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ]. Inte

Mechanism of Action

Naproxen has analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and antipyretic properties. Naproxen sodium has been developed as a more rapidly absorbed formulation of naproxen for use as an analgesic. The mechanism of action of naproxen, like that of other NSAIDs, is not completely understood but involves inhibition of cyclooxygenase (COX-1 and COX-2). Naproxen is a potent inhibitor of prostaglandin synthesis in vitro. Naproxen concentrations reached during therapy have produced in vivo effects. Prostaglandins sensitize afferent nerves and potentiate the action of bradykinin in inducing pain in animal models. Prostaglandins are mediators of inflammation. Because naproxen is an inhibitor of prostaglandin synthesis, its mode of action may be due to a decrease of prostaglandins in peripheral tissues.

Overdosage

Symptoms following acute NSAID overdosages have been typically limited to lethargy, drowsiness, nausea, vomiting, and epigastric pain, which have been generally reversible with supportive care. Gastrointestinal bleeding has occurred. Hypertension, acute renal failure, respiratory depression, and coma have occurred, but were rare [ see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1, 5.2) ].Because naproxen sodium may be rapidly absorbed, high and early blood levels should be anticipated. A few patients have experienced convulsions, but it is not clear whether or not these were drug-related. It is not known what dose of the drug would be life threatening. [ see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1, 5.2, 5.4, 5.6) ]. Manage patients with symptomatic and supportive care following an NSAID overdosage. There are no specific antidotes. Consider emesis and/or activated charcoal (60 to 100 grams in adults, 1 to 2 grams per kg of body weight in pediatric patients) and/or osmotic cathartic in symptomatic patients seen within four hours of ingestion or in patients with a large overdosage (5 to 10 times the recommended dosage). Forced diuresis, alkalinization of urine, hemodialysis, or hemoperfusion may not be useful due to high protein binding. For additional information about overdosage treatment contact a poison control center (1-800-222-1222).

⚠ Caution
Medical Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional before taking any medication.