Naproxen, like ibuprofen, effectively combats the symptoms of inflammation and pain. The main indications of this drug are: flu, cold and migraines, injuries and toothaches, or pains associated with menstruation. The unquestionable advantage of naproxen over other non-prescription drugs is its long duration of action. The drug works for 12 hours, so you only need to take it twice a day. At doses up to 200 mg, it is intended for self-treatment of inflammation and pain.
Safety of naproxen use
The drug used as indicated is safe, however, as with other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, the main contraindications to its use (contained in the leaflet, which should be read carefully!) Are: active gastric and duodenal ulcers, blood coagulation disorders, hypersensitivity to naproxen , acetylsalicylic acid and other NSAIDs, leading to asthma, allergic rhinitis or nasal polyps, fluid retention and in the elderly.
Take special care when using naproxen if:
- in the past, after the use of analgesics, anti-inflammatory, there were: stomach and intestinal diseases, abdominal pain, heartburn
- asthma is present,
- cardiac dysfunction,
- liver or kidney disorders
- you have elevated blood pressure
- blood coagulation disorders or other blood disorders such as hepatic porphyria
Before using the medication should be informed about the occurrence of the above-mentioned diseases of the doctor or pharmacist.
Inteakcjenaproxen with drugs Take special care as naproxen interacts with:
- anticoagulants and glucocorticosteroids, which additionally increase the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding,
- drugs for diabetes - sulphonylurea derivatives
- with other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs due to the increased risk of side effects
- may increase the nephrotoxicity of cyclosporin (a medicine used in transplant patients).
- with cardiac glycosides, which may lead to worsening of heart failure.
- preparations containing lithium (a medicine used in psychiatry)
- digoxin (a medicine used to treat heart disease)
- cyclosporine (increases the toxicity of this medicine used in transplant patients)
- weakens the action of drugs against arterial hypertension propranolol and a-adrenolytics and diuretics (drugs increasing the amount of urine)
- some anti-infective medicines (e.g., given with quinolines, threatens convulsions)
- headache and dizziness, dyspnoea, palpitations, heart failure,
- muscle aches and weakness, concentration disorders, malaise and depression, sleep disorders,
- impaired renal function,
- agranulocytosis, granulocytopenia, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, eosinophilia,
- dermatitis, rash,
- anaphylactic reactions,
- fever and chills, eosinophilic pneumonia,
- hearing damage,
- alcohol consumption and smoking increases the risk of side effects.
When the drug is overdosed:
Naproxen overdose is manifested by drowsiness, dyspepsia, dyspeptic disorders and vomiting. In these cases, gastric lavage and the administration of activated charcoal are used.
Support for pain management
To support painkillers, in addition:
- sedatives,
- betamimetics, direct sprays and calcium channel blockers.
- less frequently used alternative treatments for headaches and other types of pain include acupuncture, acupressure, hypnosis and psychotherapy.
ed. Edward Ozga Michalski, MA
internal medicine consultation med. Ewa Pakuła internist
neurological consultation med. Tomasz Rosochowicz
Literature
1. "Menstrual pain and ways to fight it"; Dr Marek Marcyniak, gynecologist-obstetrician; II Chair and Clinic of Gynecology and Obstetrics at the Medical Academy in Warsaw, publ. Internet http://www.mediweb.pl/womens.
2. 30 years after the discovery of John Vane: what we know about the mechanisms of action of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
3. Drugs used in rheumatology and cardiovascular system - PhD. Biol., Lek. med. Ryszard Międzybrodzki1, med. Jerzy Świerkot, prof. dr hab. ed. Jacek Szechiński - Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy of the Polish Academy of Sciences in Wrocław; REUMATOLOGY - Trapia - MARCH 2005
4. "Oncology" - a textbook for students and physicians edited by Radzisław Kordek, Jacek Jassema, Maciej Krzakowski and Arkadiusz Jeziorski, Medical Press, Gdańsk, 2003
5. Encyclopedia of Practical Medicine ONLINE, PHARMINDEX
