Noflam 500 (Naproxen)

Noflam general information

What is Noflam used for?

Noflam tablets 500mg are used to treat chronic inflammatory diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis (wear and tear), ankylosing spondylitis, (an autoimmune inflammatory disease that affects the joints in the spine and pelvis and can cause fusion of the spine) and acute gout, caused by deposits of uric acid in the joints. Noflam tablets 500mg help reduce pain, inflammation, tenderness, stiffness and swelling in the affected joints. Noflam 500 does not cure arthritic disease but can relieve symptoms of pain and inflammation and improve the functional use of affected joints. Noflam tablets 500mg are also used for dysmenorrhea (menstrual pain), to relieve acute pain; also for acute musculoskeletal disorders, such as sprains, strains, lower back pain (lumbago), and post-operative pain (following surgery).

How does Noflam work?

Noflam tablets 500mg contain naproxen, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that has anti-inflammatory, analgesic (pain relieving) and anti-pyretic properties (reduces fever). Naproxen in Noflam tablets 500mg blocks the production of specific chemicals called prostaglandins (PG) that mediate inflammation, particularly PGE2, and works by inhibiting the enzyme cyclooxygenase (COX) including cyclooxygenase 1 (COX-1) and cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) that is induced during the inflammation process and is responsible for the synthesis of inflammatory prostaglandins. Inhibition of COX-2 helps relieve the symptoms of inflammation, including pain, swelling, and joint stiffness. Inhibition of COX-1 is responsible for the gastrointestinal side effects that are due to inhibition of protective prostaglandins in the gut and disruption of regulation of acid content.

What does Noflam contain?

Noflam tablets 500mg contain the active ingredient naproxen, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that is used to relieve joint pain and inflammation in arthritis and other conditions. They also contain povidone, lactose, maize starch, sodium starch glycollate, talc, magnesium stearate, polysorbate 80, quinolone yellow.

Treating arthritis with Noflam

Noflam tablets 500mg contain the active ingredient naproxen, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that is used to relieve pain and inflammation in joints affected with arthritis. Osteoarthritis (also known as wear and tear and is a degenerative disease) and rheumatoid arthritis (an autoimmune disease where the immune system turns on self) are chronic inflammatory diseases in which the joints become inflamed, swollen and painful. Naproxen in Noflam tablets 500mg blocks the production of specific chemicals called prostaglandins (PG) that mediate inflammation, particularly PGE2, and works by inhibiting the enzyme cyclooxygenase (COX) including cyclooxygenase 1 (COX-1) and cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) that is induced during the inflammation process and is responsible for the synthesis of inflammatory prostaglandins. Inhibition of COX-2 helps relieve the symptoms of inflammation, including pain, swelling, and joint stiffness, to improve the functional use of affected joints.

Noflam for pain and inflammation

Noflam tablets 500mg contain naproxen, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that has anti-inflammatory, analgesic (pain relieving) and anti-pyretic properties (reduces fever). Several chronic inflammatory joint diseases cause pain and inflammation, including rheumatoid arthritis (in adults and children), osteoarthritis (wear and tear), ankylosing spondylitis, (an autoimmune inflammatory disease that affects the joints in the spine and pelvis and can cause fusion of the spine) and gout (deposits of uric acid in the joints). Acute pain and inflammation are also associated with dysmenorrhea (menstrual pain) and post-operative pain (following surgery). Naproxen in Noflam tablets 500mg blocks the production of specific chemicals called prostaglandins (PG) that mediate inflammation, particularly PGE2, and works by inhibiting the enzyme cyclooxygenase (COX) including cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) that is induced during the inflammation process and is responsible for the synthesis of inflammatory prostaglandins. Inhibition of COX-2 helps relieve the symptoms of inflammation, including pain, swelling, and joint stiffness. Noflam tablets 500mg also inhibit cyclooxygenase 1 (COX-1), which is thought to be responsible for the gastrointestinal side effects associated with the non-selective NSAIDs.

What are the side effects of Noflam?

The most commonly reported side effects when taking Noflam tablets 500mg are gastrointestinal and include: upset stomach or stomach pain, diarrhoea, indigestion, bloating wind, heartburn, indigestion, constipation. Other side effects include: dizziness, drowsiness, headache, light-headedness, vertigo, tinnitus (buzzing or ringing in the ears), oedema and fluid retention, thirst, skin eruptions including rash, itching, sweating.

What are the health risks when taking Noflam?

Noflam tablets 500mg have been associated with increased risk of gastric ulceration and bleeding and cardiovascular events including heart attack, although these events are rare.

When should Noflam not be used?

You should not use Noflam tablets 500mg if you:

• are allergic to naproxen or any other NSAID including aspirin, or any ingredients in Noflam
• have aspirin-induced asthma or rhinitis (runny itchy nose)
• have asthma
• have severe heart failure
• have active or a history of gastrointestinal bleeding or perforation due to an ulcer
• have a tendency to bleed easily
• are pregnant or are breastfeeding
• have kidney or liver disease
• are taking medicines that interact with Noflam, including: aspirin or other NSAIDs, anticoagulants like warfarin, cholestyramine for high cholesterol, probenecid for gout, the anti-cancer drug methotrexate, lithium for mood disorders, diuretics like frusemide, beta blockers for high blood pressure, digitalis for heart failure, sulphonamide antibiotics, sulphonylureas for diabetes

What medications interact with Noflam?

Several medications interact with Noflam tablets 500mg and should either not be taken while you are taking Noflam or only after discussion and instruction from your doctor:

• Drugs that cause a serious reaction or increase side effects with Noflam: aspirin or other NSAIDs, anticoagulants like warfarin, and ACE inhibitors
• Drugs that affect Noflam: cholestyramine for high cholesterol, probenecid for gout
• Drugs that are affected by Noflam: anticoagulants like warfarin, the anti-cancer drug methotrexate, lithium for mood disorders, diuretics like frusemide, beta blockers for high blood pressure, sulphonamide antibiotics, sulphonylureas for diabetes

How should Noflam be taken?

You should take your Noflam tablets 500mg swallowed whole with a glass of water with or without food, preferably after a meal to reduce risk of gastrointestinal side effects. The dose you take and how often depends on what you are being treated for and your doctor’s recommendation and is usually two doses at 12 hour intervals but may be reduced. You should continue to take your Noflam tablets 500mg for as long as recommended by your doctor, which may be for a few days, several weeks or longer, depending on what you are being treated for.

How long should you take Noflam?

You should continue to take your Noflam tablets 500mg for as long as recommended by your doctor, which may be for a few days, several weeks or longer, depending on what you are being treated for.

Missed dose of Noflam

If you miss a dose of Noflam tablets 500mg take it as soon as you remember, unless it is time to take the next dose, then skip the missed dose. Do not take a double dose.

How should Noflam be stored?

You should store your Noflam below 30°C in a cool dry place and protect from light.