Naproxen
Aleve | Naprosyn | Anaprox
Overview
Naproxen is a propionic-acid non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used to relieve pain, inflammation, and fever.
Indications
- Osteoarthritis
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Musculoskeletal pain
- Dysmenorrhea
- Acute gout
Contraindications
- Active GI bleeding or peptic ulcer
- NSAID hypersensitivity
- Severe renal impairment
- Coronary artery bypass graft surgery
Classification
Mechanism of Action
Non-selectively inhibits cyclooxygenase enzymes COX-1 and COX-2, decreasing prostaglandin synthesis and thereby reducing pain, inflammation, and fever.
Pharmacodynamics
Provides analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and antipyretic effects. Its relatively long half-life allows twice-daily dosing.
Pharmacokinetics
- Absorption
- Rapidly and completely absorbed orally.
- Distribution
- Highly protein bound with a small volume of distribution.
- Metabolism
- Extensively metabolized in the liver, largely by CYP2C9, to inactive metabolites.
- Excretion
- Excreted primarily in urine as metabolites and conjugates.
- Half-life
- 12-17 hours
- Bioavailability
- Approximately 95%
- Protein Binding
- Greater than 99%
Dosage
Typical dosage: 250-500 mg twice daily
Available Forms
- Tablet
- Extended-release tablet
- Oral suspension
Side Effects
Common
- Heartburn
- Nausea
- Abdominal pain
- Headache
Serious
- Gastrointestinal bleeding
- Peptic ulceration
- Renal impairment
- Increased cardiovascular thrombotic events
Rare
- Stevens-Johnson syndrome
- Hepatotoxicity
Drug Interactions
Increases bleeding risk through additive effects on platelets and gastric mucosa.
NSAIDs may reduce the antihypertensive effect of ACE inhibitors and impair renal function.
Warnings
NSAIDs, including naproxen, increase the risk of serious cardiovascular thrombotic events and serious gastrointestinal bleeding, ulceration, and perforation, which can be fatal. Naproxen is contraindicated for perioperative pain in coronary artery bypass graft surgery.
Pregnancy
Category C
Toxicity
Overdose may cause drowsiness, epigastric pain, nausea, GI bleeding, and rarely seizures.
Overdose
Provide supportive care and activated charcoal if presenting early; monitor renal function. Hemodialysis is not effective due to high protein binding.
References
Looking for patient-friendly information? Visit RemedyDoor for easy-to-read guides about this medication.