Naproxen is used to combat inflammation in some tissues and associated pain.
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What is Naproxen 500 mg?
Naproxen 500 mg is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) . This group of medications is used to treat both pain and inflammation, being useful for different types of conditions.
In this way, drugs like Naproxen are used to reverse inflammation caused by different types of reasons, giving relief by preventing swelling. It is therefore a recommended medicine for pain that causes inflammation in different areas of the body.
What is it for?
Naproxen 500 mg is used primarily to relieve musculoskeletal pain . The most common causes are rheumatic diseases, arthritis and moderate injuries caused by some type of trauma.
In addition, Naproxen is used to treat migraines. Sometimes some blood vessels can become inflamed, causing the bothersome headaches. Naproxen relieves this type of ailment, helping to improve the quality of life of the affected person.
It also serves to improve the pain associated with menstruation. There are different causes that there may be pain when the menstrual cycle comes, such as menstruations with an abundance of blood.
On the other hand, it can be useful for associated pain and even fever, especially if it is related to infections. In no case is a medicine that can cure these ailments. What it does is reduce the associated discomfort, and naproxen should always be prescribed by a doctor.
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How does it work?
In Naproxen 500 mg it is responsible for blocking the action of substances that mediate inflammation . This is in fact the mechanism of action of the group of drugs to which it belongs, the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
In particular, this drug is one of the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs known as COX-2 inhibitors. This type of NSAIDs are much less likely to cause ulcers or bleeding, since they are much more selective on the prostaglandins on which they act.
Prostaglandins are substances that regulate vital functions such as blood coagulation, blood pressure, and the body’s anti-inflammatory response. Once naproxen is present in the blood, these substances are not synthesized.
Price and presentations
This anti-inflammatory medicine is sold through different presentations . First of all, you can find Naproxen 500 mg. It is the most common form of this NSAID, although it is found in presentations of 250 mg.
As a reference, you should know that the price of Naproxen 500 mg is about 4.50 euros. This is sold in different presentations, and can be found in a pharmacy in capsules, tablets.
Please note that this drug is also known under trade names such as: Denaxpren, Naproval, Aleve, Aliviomas, Lundiran, Naprosyn, Naproxen Ratiopharm.
On the other hand, one of the most popular alternative formulas is Naproxen sodium. This basically has as a fundamental difference that it increases the speed of absorption of the active ingredient. This makes the anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect occur earlier.
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Side effects
Like all medicines, Naproxen can cause side effects . They do not manifest themselves in all people nor should they cause excessive concern, but they must be known.
There are people who experience drowsiness during treatment, so sometimes you have to take into account that it can affect your ability to drive. In addition, cases have been reported in which symptoms of mood disorders such as depression have been generated.
In some cases it has also been observed that flatulence, dyspepsia, abdominal pain and constipation or diarrhea have occurred. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs that inhibit COX-2 can present some complications at the level of the digestive system.
It is also discussed to what extent they can present complications at the cardiovascular level. There have been cases in which there have been palpitations and other complications, so great caution must be taken in the event of minimal symptoms in people with known vascular risk factors (hypertension, heart failure, etc.)
Cases of skin conditions in which hives or skin rashes have occurred have also been reported. Other side effects that may occur are nausea, vomiting, dizziness, palpitations, ringing in the ears, vaginal bleeding, and bronchospasm.
Contraindications
There are also contraindications that must be known before taking Naproxen . Despite being a COX-2 inhibitor non-steroidal anti-inflammatory, it is the case for people who have or have had some digestive problems. This is the case of gastric ulcers or history linked to bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract.
Naproxen is also not recommended for pregnant women. Its consumption could produce certain anomalies in the fetus, even being able to produce an abortion. On the other hand, during lactation the danger is less, although it continues to be discouraged.
People with asthma, nasal polyps and rhinitis should also take extreme precautions, as well as those with angioedema or heart failure problems.
However, Naproxen can be substituted for ibuprofen in some cases. Not in those in which there is hypersensitivity to NSAIDs, as ibuprofen is too. If there are any doubts about this, you should ask your doctor, because who can answer this type of question in each case.
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Bibliographic references
- Angiolillo, D.J. y Weisman, S.M. (2017). Clinical Pharmacology and Cardiovascular Safety of Naproxen. American Journal of Cardiovascular Drugs, 17 (2), 97–107.
- Brunton, LL and Chabner, BA (2011). Goodman & Gilman’s The pharmacological basis of therapeutics (12th ed.). New York (USA): McGraw Hill.
- Stolerman, I. P. (2010). Encyclopedia of psychopharmacology. Berlin: Springer
- Trelle, S., Reichenbach, S., Wandel, S., Hildebrand, P., Tschannen, B., Villiger, P.M., Egger, M. y Jüni, P. (2011). Cardiovascular safety of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs: network meta-analysis. BMJ. 342: c7086.
To the classic question “what do you do?” I always answer “basically I am a psychologist”. In fact, my academic training has revolved around the psychology of development, education and community, a field of study influenced my volunteer activities, as well as my first work experiences in personal services.