NOTTINGHAM

CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLES’

RHEUMATOLOGY SERVICE
Drug Information Leaflet
Naproxen

For further advice contact :

Parents and Carers please note the contact

numbers in this leaflet are not for emergency
use.

If your child is unwell and needs urgent advice

please contact one of the following:
ƒ Ward E38 on 0115 9249924 Ext. 69038,
ƒ Your GP or
ƒ NHS DIRECT on 0845 46 47

© Copyright 2004 Patient Information Leaflet

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form or by any
means without prior permission in writing from Division of Women, Children and Clinical
Rheumatology Advice 24
Support, Queen’s Medical Centre, Nottingham, University Hospital NHS Trust. Created:March 2004 Page 1
 Dr Helen Venning
Dr. S Rangaraj
Consultant Paediatric Rheumatologists
Childrens Hospital At Nottingham University Hospitals
Family Health Directorate
Queen’s Medical Centre Campus
Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust
Nottingham
NG7 2UH

Tel: 0115 9249924 Ext: 63442

E-mail: helen.venning@nuh.nhs.uk
satyapal.rangaraj@nuh.nhs.uk

Peterborough Hospitals
NHS Trust
Dr. Venkat Reddy. Community Paediatrician
Peterborough District Hospital
Thorpe Road
Peterborough
Cambridgeshire
PE3 6DA

Tel: 01733 874000

United Lincolnshire Hospitals

NHS Trust
Grantham & District Hospital
101 Manthorpe Road
Grantham
Lincolnshire
NG31 8DG

Tel: 01476 565232

Fax: 01476 590441
www.ulh.nhs.uk

Sherwood Forest Hospitals

NHS Trust
Dr. David Bond. Consultant Paediatrician.
King’s Mill Hospital
Mansfield Road
Sutton – in – Ashfield
NG17 4JL
Tel: 01623 622515 ext 3760
E-mail david.bond@sfh-tr.nhs.uk

The Nottingham Children and Young People’s Rheumatology Service works across the NHS Trusts
listed above.
© Copyright 2004 Patient Information Leaflet
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form or by any
means without prior permission in writing from Division of Women, Children and Clinical
Rheumatology Advice 24
Support, Queen’s Medical Centre, Nottingham, University Hospital NHS Trust. Created:March 2004 Page 2

Naproxen
(Type of drug-Non-Steroidal Anti-inflammatory)
Children and young people are given naproxen to help
treat Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA), or related
inflammatory conditions.
This information leaflet contains some information to
help you to understand the reasons for taking
Naproxen. It will describe the way Naproxen works,
and how you will be monitored during your treatment.
The information in this leaflet should be read along
with any manufacturers information leaflet issued with
your medicine.
What is Naproxen?
Naproxen is a drug belonging to a group known as
Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs).
How does it work?
Naproxen stops a substance called cyclo-oxygenase
from working. This substance is involved in making
various chemicals in the body. Some of these are
prostaglandins.
Prostaglandin’s are produced in response to injury or
certain diseases, and may go on to cause pain,
swelling and inflammation.
Naproxen is used to ease pain and inflammation.
Naproxen is used to help stop pain and inflammation
in other musculo-skeletal conditions such as sprains
and fractures.
When do I need to take my Naproxen?
Naproxen can be taken 1-2 times a day depending on
the type of preparation and the dose prescribed. Your
doctor or nurse will tell you how often to take the
medicine. It should be taken with food or a milk drink.
How can Naproxen be given?
Naproxen can be taken as a tablet or as syrup.
Tablets come in different dosages.
You will be asked which preparation you prefer and
told exactly how much to take.
What dose will I be given?
The dose of naproxen needed to reduce pain and
inflammation in JIA may be higher than for other
© Copyright 2004
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form or by any
means without prior permission in writing from Division of Women, Children and Clinical
Support, Queen’s Medical Centre, Nottingham, University Hospital NHS Trust.
conditions. Your doctor will prescribe a dose, which is
appropriate for your body weight and your illness.
How long does it take to work?
Naproxen can start to work within a couple of hours,
and pain may start to lessen. However the full pain
killing effect of NSAIDs is normally felt within one
week. The anti-inflammatory effect may take up to 3
weeks of taking regular medication. In order to get the
best effect from naproxen you must take it regularly.
How might I feel whilst I am taking Naproxen?
As with any medication you may have some side
effects when you take naproxen. The NSAIDs have
some common side effects.
If you experience any side effects check with the
doctor or nurse before continuing with the medication
Some of these are as follows:
• Gastric upset. NSAIDs can cause tummy
upset. Leading to vomiting, indigestion, nausea
or diarrhoea. Sometimes bleeding or ulceration
of the gastro-intestinal system can happen.
This is because these medicines can irritate
the lining of the stomach. Taking the medicine
with or shortly after food or a milky drink can
help stop these symptoms from happening.
• Wheezing (bronchospasm). If you have
asthma naproxen may make you feel wheezy.
If this happens you should let your doctor or
nurse know as a different medicine might suit
you better. Some people who do not have
asthma may be sensitive to the drug and
experience this.
• Allergic reactions. This may be a skin rash,
swelling of the lips or tongue, or wheezing due
to a narrowing of the airways. You must inform
your doctor or nurse if this happens. It may not
be suitable for you to continue to take
naproxen.
• May cause a blistering rash in sunshine.
• When taken in high doses naproxen can cause
some blood disorders such as neutropaenia
(decreased white blood cells), platelets can be
affected (may cause bleeding). You should tell
your doctor or nurse if you have any
unexplained bruising or bleeding (nose bleeds,
bleeding gums).
• Regular blood tests are not needed for this
medication. However you may already be
having regular blood monitoring to assess the
progress of your inflammatory disease.
Patient Information Leaflet
Rheumatology Advice 24
Created:March 2004 Page 3

Remember that not everyone will have side effects
when taking medication, and that your medication
and progress are being monitored by your doctor
and nurse.
Can I take other medicines along with Naproxen?
Your doctor or nurse will tell you which medications
you can take with naproxen. Other medications from
the NSAID group i.e. diclofenac (also known as
Voltarol™), ibuprofen (also known as Brufen or
Nurofen™), should not be taken at the same time as
you are taking naproxen.
There may be another painkiller, such as paracetamol,
that is safe to take at the same time as naproxen you
can ask your doctor/nurse or pharmacist about this.
Let the pharmacist know you are already taking
naproxen before buying other pain relief or cold
remedies to make sure they can be used at the same
time as naproxen.
If you are prescribed a new medicine by your GP
make sure he/she knows what other medicines you
are already taking.
Is there anything I need to be aware of whilst I am
taking Naproxen?
Remember that taking your naproxen regularly will
help it to work better.
Stop taking the medication if you have any reactions
and check with your doctor to see if you should
continue to take naproxen.
Smoking and drinking increases the risk of stomach
upset. People who smoke or drink alcohol may not be
able to tolerate the higher doses of naproxen that may
be needed for the treatment of JIA.
If you do have any worries or concerns please discuss
these with your nurse or doctor. Do not stop taking the
medication unless you have been advised to do so by
your nurse or doctor.
© Copyright 2004
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form or by any
means without prior permission in writing from Division of Women, Children and Clinical
Support, Queen’s Medical Centre, Nottingham, University Hospital NHS Trust.
Who needs to know what medication I am taking?
You should make sure that the following health care
professionals know what medication you are taking:
GP (your GP is normally informed by clinic letter).
Health Visitor.
School Nurse.
Dentist.
This allows them to keep your health records up to
date.
It also makes them aware of the medicines you are
already taking before prescribing others.
If you need to go to the A&E department it is important
that you tell the staff what medication you are taking.
You should not be given another NSAID (for example
for pain relief or temperature control) at the same time
as taking naproxen.
What do I need to know if I am going on holiday?
Make sure that you have enough medication to take
with you. Naproxen cannot be bought over the counter
at the chemist.
You can speak to your doctor/nurse if you need a
prescription earlier than normal.
If your holiday insurers need a letter to confirm your
health details or medication you can discuss this with
your doctor/nurse.
The preparation of this leaflet has been kindly
sponsored by
Patient Information Leaflet
Rheumatology Advice 24
Created:March 2004 Page 4