Brand Name
Apo-Naproxen
Common Name
naproxen
In this drug factsheet:
DIN (Drug Identification Number)| 00522678 | APO-NAPROXEN 125MG TABLET |
| 00522651 | APO-NAPROXEN 250MG TABLET |
| 00600806 | APO-NAPROXEN 375MG TABLET |
| 00592277 | APO-NAPROXEN 500MG TABLET |
How does this medication work? What will it do for me?
Naproxen belongs to the class of medications called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). It is used to treat the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. It is also used for the relief of minor aches and pains in muscles, bones, and joints; mild-to-moderate pain accompanied by inflammation in injuries (e.g., sprains and strains); and menstrual cramps.
It relieves pain and reduce swelling and inflammation by reducing a substance in the body that leads to inflammation and pain. If immediate relief of pain is desired, the long-acting forms of naproxen (such as the enteric-coated forms) are not recommended as they release the medication over a longer period of time.
Your doctor may have suggested this medication for conditions other than those listed in these drug information articles. As well, some forms of this medication may not be used for all of the conditions discussed here. If you have not discussed this with your doctor or are not sure why you are taking this medication, speak to your doctor. Do not stop taking this medication without consulting your doctor.
Do not give this medication to anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms as you do. It can be harmful for people to take this medication if their doctor has not prescribed it.
How should I use this medication?
The recommended adult dose of naproxen tablets for osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis ranges from 500 mg to 1,000 mg per day in divided doses (either 2 or 3 times a day). Take naproxen with food or milk. The maximum daily dose is 1,500 mg and this dose should only be taken for limited periods of time. The suppository form of naproxen is usually used once daily to replace one of the oral doses.
For those taking naproxen on a continual basis, the long-acting (sustained-release) form of the medication may be substituted for the immediate-release form after the most appropriate daily dose of the medication has been found (i.e., the dose that controls pain and inflammation without side effects). In many cases, this will allow the medication to be taken only once daily. The sustained-release form of the medication should be swallowed whole.
The dose of naproxen for children treated for juvenile rheumatoid arthritis is based on body weight. Naproxen suspension is often used for young children who have difficulty swallowing tablets. Use an oral syringe to measure each dose of the liquid, as it gives a more accurate measurement than household teaspoons. Naproxen should not be used by children under the age of 2 years, as the safety and effectiveness of the medication for this age group have not been established.
When used to treat pain or muscle and skeletal injuries, the usual recommended adult dose of naproxen is 750 mg divided into 2 or 3 daily doses.
For treatment of menstrual pain and cramps, the recommended first dose is 500 mg followed by 250 mg every 6 to 8 hours as needed. No more than 5 tablets (1,250 mg) should be taken in one day. Alternatively, one 500 mg tablet may be taken twice daily as recommended by your doctor.
Many things can affect the dose of medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. If your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones listed here, do not change the way that you are taking the medication without consulting your doctor.
It is important that this medication be taken exactly as prescribed by your doctor. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as possible and continue with your regular schedule. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one. If you are not sure what to do after missing a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.
Store this medication at room temperature, protect it from light and moisture, and keep it out of the reach of children.
This medication is available under multiple brand names and in several different forms. Any specific brand name of this medication may not be available in all of the forms listed here. The forms available for the specific brand you have searched are listed under "What form(s) does this medication come in?"
Do not dispose of medications in wastewater (e.g. down the sink or in the toilet) or in household garbage. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medications that are no longer needed or have expired.
What form(s) does this medication come in?
125 mg
Each light green, oval, biconvex tablet, identified "APO-125" on one side, contains naproxen 125 mg. Nonmedicinal ingredients: colloidal silicon dioxide, croscarmellose sodium, D&C Yellow No. 10 Aluminium Lake, indigotine Aluminium Lake (FD&C Blue No. 2), magnesium stearate, and methylcellulose.
250 mg
Each yellow, oval, biconvex tablet, identified "APO-250" on one side, contains naproxen 250 mg. Nonmedicinal ingredients: colloidal silicon dioxide, croscarmellose sodium, D&C Yellow No. 10 Aluminium Lake, FD&C Yellow No. 6 Aluminium Lake, magnesium stearate, and methylcellulose.
375 mg
Each peach, capsule-shaped, biconvex tablet, scored and identified "APO 375" on one side, contains naproxen 375 mg. Nonmedicinal ingredients: colloidal silicon dioxide, croscarmellose sodium, FD&C Yellow No. 6 Aluminium Lake, magnesium stearate, and methylcellulose.
500 mg
Each yellow, capsule-shaped, biconvex tablet, scored and identified "APO 500" on one side, contains naproxen 500 mg. Nonmedicinal ingredients: colloidal silicon dioxide, croscarmellose sodium, D&C Yellow No. 10 Aluminium Lake, FD&C Yellow No. 6 Aluminium Lake, magnesium stearate, and methylcellulose.
Some medications may have other generic brands available. Always ask your doctor or pharmacist about the safety of switching between brands of the same medication.
Who should NOT take this medication?
Naproxen should not be taken by anyone who:
- is or may be allergic to naproxen or to any of the ingredients of the medication
- is breast-feeding
- is in the third trimester of pregnancy
- is under 2 years of age
- has an active ulcer or bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract
- has active liver disease or severely impaired liverhas active liver disease or severely impaired liver
- has bleeding disorders including bleeding in the brain
- has had an allergic reaction to ASA or any other anti-inflammatory medications
- has high blood potassium
- has inflammatory bowel disease
- has recent or scheduled heart bypass surgery
- has severely impaired kidney or kidney disease
- has uncontrolled heart failure
Naproxen suppositories should not be used by anyone who:
- is under 12 years of age
- has any inflammatory lesions of the rectum or anus
- has recently had rectal or anal bleeding
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