Naproxen Sodium (Naprosyn)

• Generic name: Naproxen Sodium
• Brand/Trade names: Aleve, Naprosyn, Naprelan, Synflex
• Dosages:
  Tablets 250 mg, 375 mg, 500mg
  Suspension 125 mg/5 mL
• Pharmacologic category: Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drug (NSAID)
• FDA approved: March 11, 1976
• Manufacturer: ROCHE PALO
• Habit forming? No
• Pregnancy risk factor: C

Naproxen Sodium is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used to relieve symptoms of:

• osteoarthritis
• rheumatoid arthritis
• juvenile arthritis
• ankylosing spondylitis (type of arthritis that affects the joints in the spine)
• bursitis
• tendonitis
• menstrual cramps (primary dysmenorrhea)
• acute gout
• pain

• Onset of action: Analgesic: 1 hour; Anti-inflammatory: 2 weeks
• Duration of action: Analgesic: 7 hours; Anti-inflammatory: 12 hours
• Metabolism: Hepatic
• Elimination half-life: 12 to 17 h
• Excretion: Naproxen is eliminated in urine (95%).

• Low cost. Less costly than many other NSAIDs.
• Convenient dose regimen. Usually requires 2 times/day dosing.

• Cardiovascular side effects. In short-term use, NSAIDs vary considerably in their effect on blood pressure. A meta-analysis (Pope, 1993) showed that indomethacin and naproxen had the largest effect on blood pressure.
• High potential for Drug interactions. May diminish the cardioprotective effect of aspirin.

• Migraine headache

Naproxen sodium works by blocking the action of a substance in the body called cyclo-oxygenase. Cyclo-oxygenase is an enzyme that is involved in the production of various chemicals in the body, some of which are known as prostaglandins. Prostaglandins are produced in response to injury or certain diseases and cause pain, swelling and inflammation. As naproxen stops the production of prostaglandins, it is effective at relieving pain and inflammation.

• 1. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Naproxen (Naprosyn) U.S. Prescribing Information. Available at (PDF format): Prescription Naproxen tablets