Naproxen
Naproxen is an anti-inflammatory painkiller used for arthritis, gout, period pain and injuries, sold here as Naprosyn tablets in 250mg and 500mg.
What naproxen is used for
Naproxen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, or NSAID, in the same broad family as ibuprofen. It eases pain and brings down swelling and stiffness in joints and soft tissue, and it lowers fever. It is used for osteoarthritis (the wear-and-tear form of arthritis, where joint pain and stiffness build up over time), rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis (arthritis that mainly affects the spine), gout attacks, bursitis and tendinitis, and period pain.
How it works
Naproxen switches off cyclooxygenase (COX), the enzymes that build prostaglandins, the messengers that make injured tissue hurt and swell. With fewer of them, a strained muscle or an arthritic joint gives off less pain and puffiness, and a fever comes down too. The effect is body-wide, so a single tablet can soothe several joints at once. The damage of arthritis stays; what changes is how hard the day feels.
Taking the tablets
Naproxen is a twice-daily tablet, so spacing is the main thing: morning and evening, about twelve hours apart, works better than two doses close together. People who get heartburn from it often find it sits better after breakfast and the evening meal. Another NSAID such as ibuprofen should not be added on top.
Side effects and interactions
Heartburn, indigestion, nausea, stomach pain, headache, dizziness and drowsiness are the usual complaints, and many people find they ease after the first few days. Bleeding in the stomach or gut is the one to take seriously: black tarry stools, vomit that looks like coffee grounds, or blood in the stool need urgent help. NSAIDs also raise the risk of heart attack and stroke, particularly with high doses taken for a long time, so chest pain, sudden breathlessness, weakness on one side of the body or slurred speech are emergencies. Swollen ankles and reduced kidney function are less common.
Mixing naproxen with blood thinners such as warfarin, aspirin, another NSAID, steroid tablets, or an SSRI or SNRI antidepressant adds to the bleeding risk, and heavy drinking does the same. A past stomach ulcer or bleed, a recent heart attack or stroke, and serious kidney or liver disease are reasons NSAIDs like this one are avoided.
Naprosyn at PockDose
The naproxen product here is Naprosyn, in 250mg and 500mg tablets, both taken twice daily. It sits in the shop's painkillers section with the other pain relief. Keep the tablets in their packaging somewhere dry, out of the sun and away from heat.
Sources
- Naproxen: MedlinePlus Drug Information — National Library of Medicine
- Osteoarthritis: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment | Arthritis Foundation — Arthritis Foundation
Can I order Naproxen online in Hong Kong?
Naproxen can be ordered online from PockDose with delivery to Hong Kong. The page lists generic Naprosyn tablets in 250mg and 500mg, an anti-inflammatory taken by mouth. Every order ships in plain, unbranded packaging with nothing on the outside about the contents.
How are Naproxen prices shown?
Naprosyn is priced per pack: its page lists every strength and pack size with the current price in HKD or your chosen currency.
Do I need a prescription to order Naproxen?
PockDose does not ask you to upload a prescription when you order naproxen. See the ordering FAQ for details.
What brand names does naproxen have?
Naprelan, Naprosyn and Anaprox are brand names of naproxen, which is also sold as Napro, Naprogesic and Naxen. Here, naproxen can be bought online as generic Naprosyn. These are generics, not the original brand.
Can I drink alcohol with naproxen?
Occasional, moderate drinking is not usually a problem. Heavy drinking on top of naproxen raises the risk of stomach irritation and bleeding, so on a long arthritis course it is better kept to a minimum.
Is naproxen the same as ibuprofen?
Both belong to the NSAID family and work the same way, easing pain, swelling and fever. Naproxen stays in the body longer, so it is usually taken twice a day, while ibuprofen is often taken three or four times. Taking the two together is not advised because it adds to the risk of stomach problems.
How long can I take naproxen for?
It depends on why you take it. A pulled back muscle or a gout flare may need only a few days, while arthritis can mean weeks or months of tablets. Stomach bleeding and heart problems become more likely the longer the course and the higher the dose, so the shortest workable stretch is the aim.
Does naproxen help a gout attack?
Yes, it is one of the usual tablets for a flare. During an attack, urate crystals in the joint set off fierce inflammation, and naproxen turns that reaction down, taking the edge off pain and swelling. The cause, high uric acid, is untouched, so attacks can return.
What is Naprosyn?
Naprosyn is the brand name on the naproxen tablets stocked here, in 250mg and 500mg. Whichever name is printed on the box, the medicine inside is naproxen.