Naproxen
Sounds like 'nah-prox-en'
Key points about naproxen
- Naproxen is an anti-inflammatory used to treat pain and inflammation.
- Naproxen is commonly called Noflam® and Naprosyn SR®.
- Find out how to take it safely and possible side effects.

Naproxen belongs to a group of medicines known as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). It's used to treat different types of pain such as period pain and pain from injury or after surgery.
NSAIDs are also used to ease pain, swelling and stiffness associated with flare-ups of gout, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis. NSAIDs block the inflammation process and in this way ease swelling and pain.
In Aotearoa New Zealand naproxen is available as tablets.
- Tablets comes as immediate release and slow release (SR).
- The immediate release tablets are useful where immediate pain relief is required, and the slow release tablets are more useful in reducing long term inflammation.
- From 1 April 2025, this medicine is only available on a prescription written by a prescriber.
The dose of naproxen will be different for different people. As a guide:
- For a long-term condition (eg, arthritis), the usual dose is 500 mg to 1 gram per day, taken as either a single dose, or divided into 2 doses during the day.
- For short-term conditions (eg, muscle/tendon pain or sprains/strains), the usual dose is 250 mg, 3 or 4 times a day when needed. It's often recommended that a double dose (500 mg) be taken for the first dose.
- For gout pain, the usual dose is 750 mg for the first dose, and then 250 mg every 8 hours until the flare has passed.
- For period pain, the usual dose is 250 mg or 275 mg, 3 to 4 times a day for up to 5 days.
Always take your naproxen exactly as your prescriber has told you. The pharmacy label on your medicine will tell you how much to take, how often to take it, and any special instructions.
- Take naproxen with food or immediately after food, to prevent stomach upset: Take naproxen with a full glass of water. Swallow the tablets whole, don't crush or chew them.
- Avoid or limit alcohol while you are taking naproxen: Alcohol can increase the risk of side effects such as stomach upset.
- Missed dose: If you forget to take a dose, take it when you next need pain relief and then continue as before. Don't take 2 doses together to make up for a forgotten dose.
For most people taking naproxen is safe but extra care is needed in some situations, for example if:
- you have high blood pressure
- you have heart or kidney problems or asthma
- you're 65 years of age or older
- you smoke.
It can also be harmful to take naproxen when you are dehydrated or have been sick with diarrhoea (runny poo) or vomiting (being sick). Read more about the risks of NSAIDs.
When you should NOT take naproxen |
Naproxen should NOT be used in some situations as it can be harmful. For example, if you:
Read more about the risks associated with NSAIDs. |
Don't take other anti-inflammatory medicines such as diclofenac, ibuprofen or celecoxib while taking naproxen. This can increase your risk of side effects.
It's safe to take naproxen with paracetamol because they work differently.
Naproxen interacts with some medicines, especially those used for high blood pressure, so check with your healthcare provider or pharmacist before you start taking naproxen.
Image credit: University of Otago, NZ
Taking NSAIDs together with blood pressure medicines can be harmful to your kidneys. This is called the ‘triple whammy’. If you are taking blood pressure medicines (ACE inhibitors or ARBs and diuretics) tell your doctor or pharmacist before starting naproxen.
- Examples of ACE inhibitors are captopril, cilazapril, enalapril, lisinopril, perindopril and quinapril.
- Examples of ARBs are candesartan, irbesartan and losartan.
- Examples of diuretics are furosemide, bumetanide, bendroflumethiazide, chlortalidone, indapamide, spironolactone, eplerenone and metolazone.
Read more about the triple whammy.(external link)
Like all medicines, naproxen can cause side effects, although not everyone gets them. Often side effects improve as your body gets used to the new medicine.
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Read more about medicines and side effects and reporting a reaction you think might be a side effect.
The following links have more information about naproxen.
Naproxen(external link) NZ Formulary Patient Information te reo Māori(external link)
Medsafe Consumer Information Sheets:
Brochures
Naproxen in te reo Māori(external link) My Medicines, NZ, 2018
Medicines and side effects(external link) Healthify He Puna Waiora, NZ, 2024
5 questions to ask about your medications(external link) Health Quality and Safety Commission, NZ, 2019 English(external link), te reo Māori(external link)
References
- Reclassification of naproxen(external link) Medsafe, NZ, 2023
Brochures
My Medicines, NZ, 2018
Medicines and side effects
Healthify He Puna Waiora, NZ, 2024
Health Quality and Safety Commission, NZ, 2019 English, te reo Māori
Credits: Sandra Ponen, Pharmacist, Healthify He Puna Waiora. Healthify is brought to you by Health Navigator Charitable Trust.
Reviewed by: Angela Lambie, Pharmacist, Auckland
Last reviewed:
Page last updated: