Naprosyn SR (Naproxen 750mg)

Naprosyn general information

What is Naprosyn used for?

Naprosyn SR tablets 750mg are used to treat the pain and inflammation caused by various chronic inflammatory diseases.  These include rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis (wear and tear) and ankylosing spondylitis, (an autoimmune inflammatory disease that affects the joints in the spine and pelvis and can cause fusion of the spine) to reduce pain, inflammation, tenderness, stiffness and swelling in the affected joints.  Naprosyn SR 750 does not cure arthritic disease but can relieve symptoms of pain and inflammation and improve the functional use of affected joints.  Naprosyn SR tablets 750mg are also used for musculoskeletal disorders, such as sprains, strains, lower back pain (lumbago) to relieve chronic pain and inflammation.  Naprosyn SR 750 is not suitable for short-term treatment of acute pain.   

How does Naprosyn work?

Naprosyn SR tablets 750mg contain naproxen, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that has anti-inflammatory, analgesic (pain relieving) and anti-pyretic properties (reduces fever).  Naproxen in Naprosyn SR 750 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.  Naprosyn SR tablets 750mg are formulated for sustained controlled release, which provides a constant concentration of naproxen over a period of time, for maximum effectiveness and minimum side effects.   

What does Naprosyn contain?

Naprosyn SR tablets 750mg 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 hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose, magnesium stearate, sunset yellow FCF, purified water.

Treating arthritis with Naprosyn

Naprosyn SR tablets 750mg 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 is a degenerative disease (also known as wear and tear) 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 Naprosyn SR 750 blocks the production of specific chemicals called prostaglandins (PG) that mediate inflammation, particularly PGE2, and works by inhibiting the enzyme cyclooxygenase (COX) that is responsible for the synthesis of inflammatory prostaglandins.  Inhibition of PG production helps relieve the symptoms of inflammation, including pain, swelling, and joint stiffness, to improve the functional use of affected joints.   

Naprosyn for pain and inflammation

Naprosyn SR tablets 750mg contain naproxen, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that has anti-inflammatory, analgesic (pain relieving) and anti-pyretic properties (reduces fever).  Pain and inflammation are symptoms of several chronic inflammatory joint diseases cause, including rheumatoid arthritis (in adults and children), osteoarthritis (wear and tear) and ankylosing spondylitis, (an autoimmune inflammatory disease that affects the joints in the spine and pelvis and can cause fusion of the spine).  Also musculoskeletal disorders, such as sprains, strains, lower back pain (lumbago).  Naproxen in Naprosyn SR tablets 750mg works by inhibiting the enzyme cyclooxygenase (COX), which blocks the production of specific chemicals called prostaglandins (PG) that mediate inflammation, particularly PGE2.  Inhibiting prostaglandin production relieves the symptoms of inflammation, including pain, swelling, and joint stiffness.  Naprosyn SR 750 is formulated for sustained controlled release, which provides a constant concentration of naproxen over a period of time, for maximum effectiveness and minimum side effects, but are not suitable for acute pain. 

What are the side effects of Naprosyn?

The most commonly reported side effects when taking Naprosyn-SR tablets 750mg include 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.

When should Naprosyn not be used?

You should not use Naprosyn SR tablets 750mg if you:

• are allergic to naproxen or any other NSAID including aspirin, or any ingredients in Naprosyn
• are pregnant or are breastfeeding, without discussion with your doctor
• have kidney or liver disease
• have asthma
• have uncontrolled hypertension, severe heart failure or cardiovascular disease, without discussion with your doctor
• have active or a history of gastrointestinal bleeding or perforation due to an ulcer
• have a tendency to bleed easily
• are taking medicines that interact with Naprosyn 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 and ACE inhibitors for high blood pressure, digitalis for heart failure, sulphonamide antibiotics, sulphonylureas for diabetes, SSRI antidepressants, corticosteroids

What medications interact with Naprosyn?

Several medications interact with Naprosyn SR tablets 750mg and should either not be taken while you are taking Naprosyn or only after discussion and instruction from your doctor:

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

How should Naprosyn be taken?

You should take your Naprosyn SR tablets 750mg swallowed whole with a glass of water once daily with or without food, preferably after a meal to reduce risk of gastrointestinal side effects and at the same time each day.  The dose you take and how often depends on what you are being treated for and your doctor’s recommendation.  You should continue to take your Naprosyn SR 750mg 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, any side effects and how well you respond. 

How long should you take Naprosyn?

You should continue to take your Naprosyn SR 750for 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, any side effects and how well you respond. 

Missed dose of Naprosyn

If you miss a dose of Naprosyn SR tablets 750mg 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 Naprosyn be stored?

You should store your Naprosyn SR tablets 750mg below 25°C in a cool dry place.