A non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)
Naproxen
A common anti-inflammatory painkiller (NSAID) for musculoskeletal pain, gout attacks and some migraines, taken with food.
What is Naproxen?
Naproxen is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that relieves pain and reduces inflammation. It is used for musculoskeletal pain such as arthritis, back pain, gout and period pain.
Education and reference only. This is a plain-language guide to Naproxen — it deliberately contains no doses. Doses depend on the person, the brand and the reason for treatment, and belong with your prescriber. Always check the BNF, the product labelling (SmPC) and follow medical advice.
What it is
Naproxen is a commonly used non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) — a painkiller that also reduces inflammation. It is used for musculoskeletal pain such as the joint pain of osteoarthritis, for acute attacks of gout, for period pain and for some migraines. It is taken as a tablet with food. As with all NSAIDs, it works well for inflammatory pain but carries risks to the stomach, kidneys and heart, so it is used at the lowest effective level for the shortest time that helps.
How it works
Naproxen blocks enzymes called cyclo-oxygenase (COX), which the body uses to make prostaglandins — natural chemicals that drive pain, inflammation and fever. By reducing prostaglandins, naproxen eases pain and swelling, which is why it helps inflammatory conditions such as arthritis and gout. The same prostaglandins also protect the stomach lining and help the kidneys regulate blood flow, which explains why NSAIDs can irritate the stomach and strain the kidneys.
Company & origin
Originated / developed by: Roche (originated at Syntex).
Naproxen is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) developed by the Syntex corporation in the United States in the 1960s. It was approved by the FDA in 1976 and marketed as Naprosyn; the Syntex business was later acquired by Roche.
What it treats
Conditions Naproxen is used for
Practical use
How to take Naproxen
General, dose-free guidance — always follow your prescriber's and the leaflet's specific instructions.
- Usually taken once or twice a day, with or just after food to protect the stomach.
- Swallow the tablet whole with a full glass of water.
- It is often taken for the shortest time that controls symptoms.
- If you miss a dose, take it when you remember unless the next is near, then skip it — do not double up.
- A stomach-protecting medicine is often prescribed alongside it, especially for older people.
- Avoid taking it with other anti-inflammatory painkillers, and use paracetamol if you need extra pain relief.
Weighing it up
Advantages & disadvantages of Naproxen
Advantages
- Effective for inflammatory and musculoskeletal pain.
- Longer-acting than some NSAIDs, allowing less frequent dosing.
- Cheap and widely available.
- Often regarded as a relatively favourable NSAID for cardiovascular risk.
Disadvantages
- Can irritate the stomach and cause ulcers or bleeding, especially in older people.
- Can harm the kidneys and raise blood pressure, and may worsen heart failure.
- Not suitable for everyone, including many people with kidney, heart or stomach problems.
- Interacts with anticoagulants, ACE inhibitors and diuretics, increasing risk.
Practical use
Good to know
It should be taken with or just after food to reduce stomach irritation. Because NSAIDs can damage the stomach lining and cause ulcers or bleeding, a stomach-protecting medicine is often co-prescribed, particularly in older people or those at higher risk. Naproxen can also affect the kidneys, cause fluid retention and nudge blood pressure up. On the cardiovascular side, naproxen is generally regarded as having a relatively lower risk than some other NSAIDs — but it is still used cautiously in people with heart or circulation problems.
Who should not take it / use with caution
- People with a current or recent stomach or duodenal ulcer, or previous bleeding or perforation linked to NSAIDs.
- People with significant kidney disease, heart failure, or uncontrolled high blood pressure, and those who have had asthma, hives or swelling triggered by aspirin or another NSAID — avoided or used with great caution.
- The later stages of pregnancy (and used with caution earlier), and in those taking anticoagulants or other medicines that raise bleeding or kidney risk.
Monitoring
- Blood pressure and kidney function with regular or longer-term use, especially in those at risk
- Signs of stomach upset, indigestion or bleeding (such as black stools)
- The need to continue, at review, so it is used for the shortest helpful time
Side effects
- Indigestion, heartburn, nausea or stomach pain; taking it with food and, where advised, a stomach-protecting medicine helps reduce this.
- Stomach or gut ulcers and bleeding (which can be serious and is sometimes painless), fluid retention, raised blood pressure and effects on the kidneys.
- Headache, dizziness, and — uncommonly — a serious allergic reaction or wheeze in people sensitive to NSAIDs.
Key interactions
- Anticoagulants, aspirin and other medicines that affect bleeding increase the risk of stomach bleeding when combined with naproxen.
- ACE inhibitors, ARBs and diuretics ("water tablets") together with an NSAID can strain the kidneys (the "triple whammy") and reduce their effect.
- Other medicines whose levels or safety are affected, such as lithium, methotrexate and some others, need care and monitoring.
Available as: Tablets, including a gastro-resistant form designed to be gentler on the stomach; some lower-strength products are available from pharmacies for specific uses.
Answers
Naproxen: frequently asked questions
Why should I take naproxen with food?
Naproxen can irritate the stomach lining, so taking it with or just after food helps reduce indigestion and stomach upset. For people at higher risk, a stomach-protecting medicine is often prescribed alongside it as well.
Is naproxen safer for the heart than ibuprofen or other NSAIDs?
Naproxen is generally regarded as having a relatively lower cardiovascular risk than some other NSAIDs, which is why it is sometimes preferred when an anti-inflammatory is needed in people with heart concerns. It still carries risks, though, and the choice is made individually by your prescriber.
Can I take naproxen if I have kidney problems or heart failure?
NSAIDs including naproxen can strain the kidneys and cause fluid retention, so they are avoided or used with great caution in kidney disease and heart failure. Always tell your prescriber about these conditions so a safer option can be considered.
Can I take naproxen with blood thinners or aspirin?
Combining naproxen with anticoagulants or aspirin raises the risk of stomach bleeding, so it should only be done on a prescriber's advice, often with a stomach-protecting medicine. Check with your pharmacist before combining painkillers.
Is Naprosyn the same as naproxen?
Yes — naproxen is the generic (active-ingredient) name and Naprosyn is a brand name. Generic naproxen contains the identical active ingredient.
The wider class
About NSAIDs
Naproxen belongs to the nsaids class. For how the class as a whole works, its shared safety principles and monitoring, see the full guide.
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Authoritative sources
- BNF: Naproxen.
- electronic Medicines Compendium (SmPC): Naproxen.
- NICE CKS: Naproxen.
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