Naproxen Gastro-Resistant Tablets (250mg & 500mg)

Naproxen Gastro-Resistant Tablets are made to be tough on pain, but gentle on the stomach. What makes them different from standard Naproxen tablets is the special gastro-resistant coating. This prevents your stomach acid from breaking down the tablet, so that it is broken down in your lower intestine instead. This enable you to get the same pain relief, but with much less risk of gastric irritation.

Just like regular Naproxen tablets, they are available in both 250mg and 500mg strengths and are only available with a prescription.

How Do Naproxen Gastro-Resistant Tablets Work?

Naproxen works by blocking the enzyme cyclooxygenase (COX) which the body uses to make fatty compounds (lipids) called prostaglandins. These prostaglandins trigger the inflammatory response resulting in a reduction in pain, fever and swelling.

The gastro-resistant coating reduces irritation stomach irritation.

How To Take Naproxen Gastro-Resistant Tablets (250mg & 500mg)

Naproxen Gastro-Resistant Tablets should be swallowed whole. Do not chew, bite or crush the tablets as this will negate the anti-gastric effect of the coating. It is still recommended that they be taken with food in order to aid digestion and make dosage easier and more convenient.

Your doctor or pharmacist will decide your dosage based on your needs.

• most muscle, joint and tendon conditions require a starting dose of 500mg followed by a further 250mg tablet every 6-8 hours as needed
• conditions like arthritis or ankylosing spondylitis usually require a dose of 500mg-1000mg twice a day (taken at once or as a split dosage throughout the day)
• gout usually requires a starting dose of 750mg followed by a 250mg tablet every eight hours as required.

If you have liver or kidney problems or are an older person, you may be prescribed a lower dosage.

Always follow your doctor or pharmacist's prescribed instructions.

Take a look at our Naproxen dosage guide for more information on the correct dosages.

Ingredients

The active ingredient is Naproxen with a choice of 250mg or 500mg dosage. The special gastro-resistant coating is made primarily from methacrylic acid-ethylacrylate copolymer.

Other ingredients include:

• lactose
• maize starch
• magnesium stearate
• crospovidone
• propylene glycol
• sodium hydroxide
• triethyl citrate
• titanium dioxide (E171)
• potassium sorbate (E202)
• sodium citrate (E331)
• xanthan gum (E415)
• hydroxypropyl cellulose (E463)
• purified talc (E553)
• beeswax.

Side Effects

Gastrointestinal irritation is the most common side effect of taking Naproxen. This can take the form of stomach pain, nausea, indigestion, heartburn or stomach ulcers.

Gastro-resistant Naproxen tablets can help to reduce the risk of these side effects.

Other known side effects include:

• drowsiness
• dizziness
• headaches
• ringing in ears (tinnitus)
• changes in vision
• rashes

You should consult your doctor as soon as possible if you experience any of the following rare side effects:

• persistent diarrhoea, vomiting, stomach pain or weight loss
• persistently itchy skin, rashes or blisters
• difficulty breathing
• chest pains
• bleeding from the back passage (anus) or blood in vomit or stools
• swelling of the throat, face or extremities (hands and feet)

Like all anti-inflammatory medicines,Naproxen can cause side effects.

Warnings

Consult with your healthcare provide before taking Naproxen if you have a history of heart problems, have previously had a stroke, or have any of the following conditions:

• high blood pressure (hypertension)
• high cholesterol
• asthma
• diabetes
• allergies (with swelling of the face, lips, eyes or tongue)
• issues with arteries anywhere in your body
• blood clotting issues
• liver or kidney problems
• chicken pox or shingles
• excessive fat in the blood (hyperlipidaemia)
• nasal lumps (polyps)
• excessive sneezing
• an itchy, runny, blocked nose (rhinitis)
• autoimmune conditions like colitis, Crohn's disease or ‘systemic lupus erythematosus’

Naproxen may cause interactions with other medications. Known examples include:

• other painkillers (including aspirin, paracetamol, ibuprofen)
• phenytoin (epilepsy medication)
• zidovudine (an AIDS and HIV medication)
• anticoagulants (e.g. warfarin or heparin)
• diuretics (e.g. furosemide)
• probenecid (gout medication)
• mifepristone (used to terminate pregnancies)
• antidepressant ‘SSRIs’ (e.g. fluoxetine or citalopram)
• glimepiride and glipizide (diabetes medications)
• sulfonamide for infections (e.g.acetazolamide, indapamide)
• antibiotics (e.g. ciprofloxacin, moxifloxacin)
• cardiac glycosides (e.g. digoxin)
• topical steroids (hydrocortisone, prednisolone and dexamethasone)
• ‘ACE inhibitors’ (e.g. cilazapril, enalapril or propranolol)
• angiotensin-II receptor antagonists (e.g. candesartan, losartan)
• methotrexate (for skin problems, arthritis or cancer treatment)
• ciclosporin or tacrolimus (for skin problems or organ transplants)

Naproxen can make it more difficult to become pregnant.

Pregnant people should not take Naproxen during the first six months of pregnancy unless absolutely necessary and instructed to do so by a healthcare professional.

Naproxen should also not be taken by those in the last three months of pregnancy as it may harm your baby and complicate labour.

Naproxen and Alcohol

You should not consume alcohol when taking Naproxen: doing so can cause damage to the lining of your stomach and may lead to gastritis, a condition that has very uncomfortable symptoms.