Naproxen 500mg - 56 Tablets

What is Naproxen?

Naproxen tablets are a pain relief medication that can also help to reduce swelling or inflammation. This combination makes them the ideal remedy for conditions like arthritis, which causes swollen, painful joints, as well as period pain and muscle sprains and strains. If you’re looking for reliable pain relief which is stronger than your typical shop-bought pain killers, start a consultation with one of our prescribers now and see if naproxen could be the treatment for you.

How to take Naproxen 500mg tablets

If you are prescribed naproxen 500mg tablets, then you will be given dosage instructions printed on the packaging of your medication. You should follow this dose carefully, but usually you will be recommended the following doses, which come from the manufacturer:

How does this medication relieve pain and inflammation?

Naproxen is a type of medication called a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, or NSAID, which means it works in a similar way to other NSAIDs like ibuprofen and aspirin. These medications ease pain and inflammation by blocking the hormones that cause them, effectively helping to reduce their effects. When your tissue is damaged in any way, the pain signals from the area trigger the creation of these hormones, but NSAIDs block an enzyme called COX which is needed to make them. In this way naproxen helps to prevent pain and swelling by going right to the source, it can also help to bring down a high temperature or fever if you have one.

What can I use this treatment for?

Naproxen can be used to ease pain and inflammation caused by lots of different conditions or ailments. Some of the most popular reasons why people are prescribed this medication include:

• Rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis
• Ankylosing spondylitis, which causes back pain and stiffness
• Back pain
• Neck pain
• Swollen and painful tendons
• Swollen and painful joints
• Period pain
• Gout
• Sprains, strains, and sports injuries

Can I take this pain relief alongside my regular medication?

If you’re taking any other medications, including herbal remedies or medicines you obtained without a prescription, you should tell your prescriber about these during your consultation. Especially if you are already taking any of the following:

• Other painkillers, e.g. aspirin, ibuprofen, diclofenac, paracetamol, COX II inhibitors (e.g. celecoxib, etoricoxib)
• Epilepsy medications, e.g. phenytoin
• Anticoagulants, also known as blood thinners, e.g. warfarin
• Medications used to treat infections, e.g. sulphonamides like hydrochlorothiazide
• Medications used for heart failure, e.g. diuretics like furosemide, cardiac glycosides like digoxin
• Medicines for high blood pressure, e.g. propranolol, beta-blockers, ACE inhibitors like cilazapril
• Angiotensin-II receptor antagonists, e.g. candesartan, eprosartan, losartan
• Quinolone antibiotics, e.g. ciprofloxacin, moxifloxacin
• Medications for gout and psoriasis, e.g. probenecid, methotrexate
• Medications for arthritis, e.g. steroids, prednisolone
• Medications for mental health problems, e.g. SSRIs (including citalopram and fluoxetine) and lithium
• Antacids, which are used to treat indigestion
• Cholestyramine, which is used for high blood pressure
• Anti-diabetic drugs, e.g. glimepiride, glipizide
• Zidovudine, which is used to treat AIDS and HIV
• Bisphosphonates such as alendronic acid, which are used to treat osteoporosis and other bone diseases
• Tacrolimus and ciclosporin, which are immunosuppressants used after transplants
• Mifepristone, which is prescribed to terminate pregnancy

Can I take this product if I’m pregnant or breastfeeding?

If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding you should tell your prescriber about this during your consultation. You should limit unnecessary medications as much as possible during these times and naproxen is no different. You may be able to take this medication during the first 6 months of your pregnancy, but only if your doctor or prescriber recommend that it’s the right treatment for you. You should not take naproxen during the last 3 months of your pregnancy (your third trimester) or when you’re breastfeeding.

When should this product not be used?

Naproxen is not suitable for use in children under the age of 16 unless specifically recommended by a doctor to treat juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. Do not take this product if you are allergic to naproxen, any other NSAIDs (e.g. aspirin, ibuprofen), or any of the other listed ingredients. Do not take this medication if you have or have ever had:

• A stomach ulcer, perforation or bleeding of the stomach or intestine
• Asthma, hay fever, itchiness or a skin rash after taking aspirin, ibuprofen, or any other NSAIDs
• Stomach or duodenal ulcers or bleeding in your digestive tract
• Severe liver or kidney problems
• A bleeding disorder, e.g. cerebrovascular bleeding
• Blood or dark particles which look like coffee grounds in your poo or black tarry poo
• Haemorrhoids, piles, or an increased risk of rectal bleeding

Tell your prescriber during your consultation if you have or have ever had:

• Asthma, hay fever, or allergies, especially if these cause swelling of the tongue or throat, inflammation in your nose, nasal polyps, or breathing difficulties
• Any blood clotting disorders or are taking any blood thinners
• Heart or circulation problems such as swollen feet or hands
• Liver or adrenal function tests planned
• Kidney or liver problems, including alcohol-related disease
• A stroke or are at an increased risk of stroke, for example, if you have high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, or are a smoker

Does Naproxen have side effects?

Like all medications, naproxen can have side effects, although not everyone will experience them. If you experience any of the following serious side effects while taking this product you should stop use and seek immediate medical attention:

• Symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, e.g. Skin rashes, wheezing, difficulty breathing or swallowing, swelling of the face, mouth, lips, tongue, or throat
• Serious skin reactions, e.g. blistering, peeling
• Symptoms of serious stomach or gut problems, e.g. blood in your poo or black, tarry looking poo, vomiting blood or dark particles that look like coffee grounds, stomach ulcers, inflammation of the pancreas, worsening of ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease
• Symptoms of liver problems, e.g. yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes, feeling tired, loss of appetite, pale coloured poo, problems in blood tests
• Heart attacks, showing symptoms such as chest pain which may spread down your arms, shortness of breath, lightheadedness, dizziness, sweating
• Meningitis, showing symptoms such as a severe headache, a stiff neck, being sick, fever

Other side effects you may experience include:

• Heartburn, indigestion
• Inflammation of the stomach lining
• Dry mouth
• Constipation
• Wind
• Difficulty sleeping (insomnia)
• Confusion
• Seeing or hearing things that are not there (hallucinations)
• Fits or seizures
• Dizziness
• Pins and needles
• Changes to your eyesight

For a complete list of potential side effects of this medication, please read the patient information leaflet included. If you experience these or any other side effects while using this product, speak to your doctor or pharmacist right away. For more information about reporting the side effects of medication, please see the MHRA’s Yellow Card Scheme.

Do I need a prescription for Naproxen 500mg?

You do need a prescription for naproxen 500mg in the UK. Our healthcare professionals can provide prescriptions if they think this treatment would be right for you and your condition. When you click the button which reads “Start Consultation” at the top of this page, you’ll see a short questionnaire set up by our healthcare team which is designed to help them understand your medical needs. Just like an in-person consultation with your GP, our doctors will assess your answers to their questions and write a prescription for the treatment they think will be best for you. You’ll then be able to pay for your medication and we’ll send it out to you quickly and in discreet packaging.

How to store this product

Store in a cool, dry place which is below 25 degrees C. Do not take this product if the expiry date printed on the original packaging has passed. Keep out of sight and reach of children.

Important information

This product is a medicine; make sure to speak to your doctor or Chemist4U pharmacist before taking this product if you have an underlying medical problem or are taking any other medicine or complementary therapy. If your symptoms get worse or continue after taking this product, contact us or your doctor. For medical services in your area, please refer to https://www.nhs.uk

If you are pregnant, trying to become pregnant, or breastfeeding, speak to your doctor or our pharmacist before taking this product. If you suffer from any allergies, ask your doctor or our pharmacist if this medicine is right for you.

Store all medicines out of sight and reach of children.

Please read the included leaflet carefully before using this product.

Please contact your GP if appropriate regarding this product.

Helpful Advice on Medication Restrictions & Addiction

For further information on our medication restrictions policy, please click here.

If you are concerned about addiction to 'over the counter' medication, we urge you to visit the below links for professional help and advice:

NHS Help & Advice on Drug Addiction

Talk To Frank - Drug Addiction Help & Support