Naproxen What it is and what it is used for

During our lives, we find ourselves in situations in which our health declines, from mild pain, inflammation, high fever or serious symptoms that prevent us from continuing with our day to day normally, to recover our health, the doctor who attends us in consultation the possibility of prescribing us a warrior of medicine known as "naproxen".

The naproxen It is a drug of interest and common use, a savior of health and bad days, it has a series of characteristics and considerations, which I invite you to read in this article.

Naproxen, a long-standing medicine

Technically naproxen is a medicine designed to counteract inflammation, high fever and aches; It is known as the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), that is, it is part of a group of chemically heterogeneous or varied drugs.

One of the recognized aspects for this type of drug is its non-steroidal constitution offering the reduction to the least amount of side effects compared to other drugs.

Medicine as such has created this drug capable of relieving pain, reversing inflammation and reducing high temperature, among other symptoms, to make it a great savior of health in common or risky disease in some specific cases.

What is naproxen used for?

A medicine with high marks for fight inflammation, pain, sensitivity and fever, with a mild or moderate intensity the use of this medicine and its dose is linked to the medical prescription, the doctor will be in charge of evaluating and recommending this medicine.

It is used mainly to treat:

• Relieve headaches.
• Decrease inflammation.
• Reduce menstrual or periodic pain in women.
• Lower a high temperature or fever.
• Reduce muscle pain, back pain, toothache, sprains or strains.
• Reduce stiffness in the joints.

Appearance on the drug market

It happened in the year 1976 in the United States, where it is placed for sale as a medicinal product under prescription.

How does naproxen work?

Upon entering the body, it is rapidly absorbed by the intestinal tract 2/4 hours after its intake, it acts by inhibiting the synthesis of a substance called prostaglandin, which affects certain body systems, for example:

• Blood pressure.
• Blood clotting.
• The activity of the digestive system.

And, finally, the allergic inflammatory response, which for the action of naproxen is the most important.

Other uses of naproxen

This medicine is also used to treat musculoskeletal injuries, whose symptoms bring inflammation or degeneration of muscles, tendons, joints, ligaments and nerves, among these we mention:

• Rheumatoid arthritis (arthritis caused by swelling of the lining of the joints).
• Osteoarthritis (deterioration of the lining of the joints).
• Acute episodes of gout (pain and inflammation in the joints)
• Ankylosing spondylitis (affects the spine).
• Rheumatoid syndromes (pain, inflammation, and loss of function of the joints).
• Musculoskeletal pain (disorders in the bones or muscles, ligaments or joints)
• juvenile arthritis (children's joint disease).
• Bursitis (inflammation of the bursa, a bursa-like structure, which is located between bones, tendons and muscles)

Which is better, naproxen or naproxen sodium?

Both are drugs strong enough to fight pain, swelling or fever, however, since the naproxen sodium It contains “sodium salt”, this component increases the level of absorption of the drug, allowing all its effects on symptoms to act more quickly.

How should i take naproxen?

The doctor or pharmacist will be the person in charge of clarifying doubts about the presentation of this drug to take and the amount of milligrams necessary in each case. This product comes in the presentations of:

• Tablets.
• Suspension.
• Suppository.

The most widely used form of administration is the orally with the intake of the tablets. At the time of taking the medicine it is recommended to do it after the meal to avoid damage to the digestive tract.

The recommended daily dose for adults is 550 mg and 1100 mg per day for 6/8 hours depending on the intensity of the symptom..

Side effects

There are various studies that point to a series of side effects, that is why we recommend paying close attention to the doses and following the prescription plan so that there are no consequences for the use of this drug for prolonged periods:

• Damage to the digestive system, stomach injuries, ulcers.
• Nausea and constipation.
• Gases.
• Drowsiness (sleep).
• Burning or tingling in the arms or legs
• Cold symptoms
• Ringing in the ears
• Hearing problems.
• Itchy limbs.

In the case of the elderly, the care of the dose is even greater, due to the fragility of health and the consequences that the high consumption of the drug can bring..

In this case, the following may occur.

• Cardiovascular problems.
• Liver problems.
• Skin lesions.
• Vision disturbances.

Common mistakes

Commonly we make mistakes when following a prescription, we can forget an hour of medicine or take the tablet without anything to protect our stomach, as there are many cases in which it is incurred without thinking so much and that then drags us unpleasant consequences.

What you should not do is:

• If you are fasting you should not take the medicine.
• Do not exceed the dose indicated by the doctor.
• If you forget a dose, do not try to double the next dose..

And last and foremost, you should not self-medicate, you should see the doctor and have him study the reason for the symptoms..

 I am pregnant, can I take naproxen?

No, the recommendation is do not take this drug under any circumstances, the gestation time of a pregnancy is delicate and the best thing you can do before any abnormality symptoms is to consult with the doctor.

In the case of breastfeeding, it occurs in a similar way, the use of this drug is not recommended, since it can alter the composition of breast milk, directly affecting the child.