• chest pain, weakness, shortness of breath, slurred speech, problems with vision or balance;

• black, bloody, or tarry stools;

• coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds;

• swelling or rapid weight gain;

• urinating less than usual or not at all;

• nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);

• fever, sore throat, and headache with a severe blistering, peeling, and red skin rash;

• bruising, severe tingling, numbness, pain, muscle weakness; or

• fever, headache, neck stiffness, chills, increased sensitivity to light, purple spots on the skin, and/or seizure (convulsions).

Keep taking naproxen and talk to your doctor if you have any of these less serious side effects:

• upset stomach, mild heartburn or stomach pain, diarrhea, constipation;

• bloating, gas;

• dizziness, headache, nervousness;

• skin itching or rash;

• blurred vision; or

• ringing in your ears.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What other drugs will affect naproxen?

Before taking naproxen, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following drugs:

• a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin);

• lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid);

• methotrexate (Rheumatrex, Trexall);

• diuretics (water pills) such as furosemide (Lasix);

• steroids (prednisone and others);

• aspirin or other NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as diclofenac (Cataflam, Voltaren), etodolac (Lodine), flurbiprofen (Ansaid), indomethacin (Indocin), ketoprofen (Orudis), ketorolac (Toradol), mefenamic acid (Ponstel), meloxicam (Mobic), nabumetone (Relafen), piroxicam (Feldene), and others; or

• an ACE inhibitor such as benazepril (Lotensin), captopril (Capoten), fosinopril (Monopril), enalapril (Vasotec), lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril), ramipril (Altace), and others.

If you are using any of these drugs, you may not be able to use naproxen or you may need dosage adjustments or special tests during treatment.

There may be other drugs not listed that can affect naproxen. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist has information about naproxen written for health professionals that you may read.

What does my medication look like?

Naproxen is available with a prescription generically and under the brand names Anaprox, Naprosyn, EC-Naprosyn, and Naprelan. It is also available over-the-counter under the brand name Aleve. Other brand or generic formulations may also be available. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about this medication, especially if it is new to you.

• Naprosyn 250 mg--round, yellow tablets

• Naprosyn 375 mg--oblong, peach-colored tablets

• Naprosyn 500 mg--oblong, yellow tablets

• Naprosyn Suspension 125 mg per 5 mL (1 teaspoon)

• EC-Naprosyn 375 mg--capsule-shaped, white tablets

• EC-Naprosyn 500 mg--capsule-shaped, white tablets

• Anaprox 275 mg--oval, light-blue, film-coated tablets

• Anaprox DS 550 mg--oval, dark-blue, film-coated tablets

• Naprelan 375 mg--capsule-shaped, white tablets

• Naprelan 500 mg--capsule-shaped, white tablets

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.