II. Indications

  1. FDA approved indications in adults
    1. Rheumatoid Arthritis
    2. Osteoarthritis
    3. Ankylosing Spondylitis
    4. Mild to moderate pain
    5. Dysmenorrhea
    6. Acute Tendinitis or Bursitis
    7. Fever
    8. Acute Gouty Arthritis
  2. FDA approved indications in children
    1. Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis
    2. Mild to moderate pain

III. Mechanism

  1. See NSAID
  2. Naproxen is an NSAID in the propionic acid class

IV. Medications: Naproxen

  1. Naproxen Base Immediate Release (Naprosyn): 250 mg, 375 mg, 500 mg
  2. Naproxen Sodium Immediate Release: 200 mg (OTC Aleve), 275 mg, 550 mg (Anaprox)
    1. Naproxen Sodium 275 mg is equivalent to 250 mg Naproxen base
    2. Naproxen Sodium has faster absorption, and faster action onset (1-2 hours) than Naproxen (2-4 hours)
  3. Naproxen Delayed Release Enteric Coated (EC-Naprosyn): 375 mg, 500 mg
  4. Naproxen Controlled Release (Naprelan): 375 mg, 500 mg, 750 mg
  5. Naproxen Suspension: 125 mg/ml

V. Medications: Naproxen Combinations with Antacids

  1. Naproxen 375 mg or 500 mg combined with Lansoprazole 15 mg (Prevacid NepraPAC)
  2. Naproxen 375 mg or 500 mg combined with Esomeprazole 20 mg (Vimovo)
    1. Onset of action is delayed compared with other Naproxen preparations

VI. Dosing: Adult

  1. Naproxen (Naprosyn)
    1. Dose: 250 to 500 mg orally twice daily as needed
    2. Acute gout: 750 mg for one dose, then 250 mg orally every 8 hours until acute flare resolves
  2. Naproxen Sodium (Anaprox, Aleve)
    1. Dose: 275 mg to 550 mg orally twice daily as needed
    2. Naproxen Sodium 275 mg is equivalent to 250 mg Naproxen base
    3. Naproxen Sodium 550 mg is equivalent to 500 mg Naproxen base
  3. Naproxen delayed release Enteric Coated (EC-Naprosyn)
    1. Dose: 375 to 500 mg orally twice daily (do not chew or crush)
  4. Naproxen controlled release (Naprelan)
    1. Dose: 750 to 1000 mg orally daily
    2. Acute gout: 1000 to 1500 mg for one dose, then 1000 mg orally daily until acute flare resolves

VII. Dosing: Child

  1. For age >=2 years old
  2. Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis
    1. Give 10 to 20 mg/kg/day (max 1250 mg/day) orally divided twice daily
  3. Mild to moderate pain
    1. Give 5 to 7 mg/kg/dose orally every 8 to 12 hours

VIII. Adverse Effects

  1. See NSAID
  2. See NSAID Gastrointestinal Adverse Effects
  3. See NSAID Renal Adverse Effects
  4. Bleeding risk (inhibits Platelet aggregation)
    1. Naproxen increases risk almost as much as Aspirin

IX. Safety

  1. See NSAID
  2. Considered safe in Lactation
  3. Avoid NSAIDs in pregnancy outside the first part of the second trimester (13 to 20 weeks)
    1. Teratogenic in first trimester
    2. Risk of premature ductus arteriosus closure in the fetus in third trimester
    3. Most NSAIDs carry a legacy system Pregnancy Category B or C designation (aside from third trimester)
      1. However, many obstetricians avoid NSAIDs entirely in pregnancy (even in second trimester)

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Related Studies

Cost: Medications

naproxen (on 12/21/2022 at Medicaid.Gov Survey of pharmacy drug pricing)
NAPROXEN 125 MG/5 ML SUSPEN Generic $0.59 per ml
NAPROXEN 250 MG TABLET Generic $0.05 each
NAPROXEN 375 MG TABLET Generic $0.07 each
NAPROXEN 500 MG TABLET Generic $0.07 each
NAPROXEN DR 375 MG TABLET Generic $0.23 each
NAPROXEN DR 500 MG TABLET Generic $2.88 each
NAPROXEN SODIUM 220 MG CAPSULE Generic OTC $0.16 each
NAPROXEN SODIUM 220 MG TABLET Generic OTC $0.06 each
NAPROXEN SODIUM 550 MG TAB Generic $0.29 each
NAPROXEN-ESOMEPRAZ DR 500-20 MG Generic $13.92 each