Naprosyn, also called naproxen, is in a class of drugs known as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). These drugs are designed to reduce the hormones that cause inflammation and pain in the body. It can be prescribed by your physician and it can be found in lesser strength in Aleve, Anaprox, EC-Naprosyn, Midol Extended Relief and Naprelan. Naprosyn can be used either short-term to manage an injury or long term if you are living with chronic pain. However, it is good to be aware of the side effects of this medication to avoid complications.
Common Side Effects
Like all NSAIDs, Naprosyn can cause an upset stomach, abdominal pain, gas, constipation, belching, nausea and diarrhea. You may feel bloated and experience heartburn or indigestion. If you are taking the nonprescription strength, drinking a full glass of water or taking the medication with food or milk may prevent stomach upset. If Naprosyn has been prescribed, your doctor or pharmacist can recommend precautions to lessen side effects based on your dose and medical history.
Other Side Effects
Additional side effects of this medication include feeling dizzy, lightheaded, nervous or anxious. You may notice ringing in your ears, develop a skin rash, problems with your vision or have unexplained weight gain. There can also be changes in your bowel or bladder movements such as black, bloody, clay-colored or tarry stools; cloudy, discolored, or bloody urine; and urination can be painful. You may develop headaches, pain in the upper right part of the stomach and signs of an infection such as a sore throat.
Severe Symptoms
In rare cases, severe symptoms can include chest pain, wheezing, shortness of breath, slurred speech, coughing up blood or vomit that resembles coffee grounds, jaundice, numbness, muscle weakness or seizures. Other rare side effects include a racing heart rate; burning or tingling in the arms or legs; hives; swelling of the eyes, face, lips, tongue, throat, arms or legs; and difficulty breathing or swallowing. In addition, if your liver is unable to break down this medication, taking Naprosyn can lead to inflammation of the liver, also called drug-induced hepatitis. These are all serious side effects and require medical attention.
Signs of Overdose
If you overdose on Naprosyn, you may feel extremely tired, confused, have slow or difficult breathing, decreased urine output and feel dizzy and disoriented. You may collapse, go unconscious and/or stop breathing. These symptoms require immediate emergency medical intervention.
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