Naproxen Side Effects

This commonly used nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) has earned its place in countless medicine cabinets for pain relief and inflammation reduction. The wide-ranging spectrum of Naproxen’s side effects, ensuring you are well-informed on what this medication entails. 

The common side effects that you may encounter, as well as the more serious ones that demand immediate attention into the possibility of allergic reactions and the rare side effects that occasionally emerge. For those curious about Naproxen’s long-term effects, we’ve got you covered. 

Furthermore, we’ll spotlight how this medication impacts special age groups, including pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, children, and the elderly. And finally, we’ll categorize side effects based on the body systems they affect, allowing you to gain a deeper insight into the medicine you rely on. 

Common Side Effects

• Dyspepsia (14%)
• Heartburn
• Nausea
• Constipation
• Headache (15%)
• Ecchymosis
• Rash
• Skin Eruptions
• Pruritus
• Purpura
• Pharyngitis
• Rhinitis
• Dyspnea
• Influenza-Like Syndrome (10%)
•  Infection
• Edema 
• Tinnitus
•  Fatigue

Serious Side Effects

• Shortness of breath: This can occur even with mild physical activity.
• Swelling or rapid weight gain: If you notice sudden swelling or a significant increase in weight, it requires prompt medical evaluation.
• Skin rash: Regardless of its severity, the first signs of a skin rash should be reported to a healthcare provider.
• Stomach bleeding: Be vigilant for signs of stomach bleeding, which may manifest as bloody or tarry stools, coughing up blood, or vomit resembling coffee grounds.
• Liver problems: Indications of liver issues include nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, fatigue, flu-like symptoms, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, or jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).
• Kidney problems: Watch for symptoms such as minimal or absent urination, painful or challenging urination, swelling in the feet or ankles, fatigue, or shortness of breath.
• Low red blood cells (anemia): This can lead to pale skin, lightheadedness, shortness of breath, a rapid heart rate, and difficulty concentrating.
• Severe skin reaction: If you experience a severe skin reaction characterized by fever, a sore throat, facial or tongue swelling, burning in your eyes, skin pain, and a spreading red or purple rash with blistering and peeling, it necessitates immediate medical attention.

Allergic Reactions

If you experience a severe drug reaction that affects multiple parts of your body while using naproxen, discontinue its use immediately and seek medical attention. Signs of such a reaction may encompass a skin rash, fever, swollen glands, muscle aches, profound weakness, unusual bruising, or the yellowing of your skin or eyes. These symptoms require prompt medical evaluation to address the potentially serious nature of the reaction and ensure your well-being.

Rare Side Effects

• Pancreatitis
• Hepatitis
• Jaundice
• Convulsions
• Stroke
• Glomerulonephritis
• Interstitial nephritis
• Nephrotic syndrome
• Renal papillary necrosis
• Arterial thrombotic events
• Myocardial infarction
• Granulocytopenia
• Thrombocytopenia
• Agranulocytosis
• Allergic reaction
• Anaphylactoid/anaphylaxis reaction
• Hypersensitivity reaction
• Alopecia
• Pseudo-porphyria
• Toxic epidermal necrolysis
• Erythema multiforme
• Stevens-Johnson syndrome
• Epidermolysis bullosa
• Aggravated asthma
• Eosinophilic pneumonitis
• Hearing impairment
• Aseptic meningitis
• Hyperkalemia
• Myalgia
• Muscle weakness
• Hematuria
• Aseptic meningitis

Symptoms of Naproxen Overdose

Symptoms of naproxen sodium overdose include:

• Agitation, confusion, incoherence (the person is not understandable)
• Blurred vision
• Coma
• Seizures
• Diarrhea
• Dizziness, unsteadiness, movement problems
• Drowsiness
• Headache — severe
• Heartburn, stomach pain (possible bleeding in the stomach and intestines)
• Nausea, vomiting
• Rash
• Ringing in the ears
• Slow, labored breathing, wheezing

Categorize the Side Effects of Naproxen Based on Various Body Systems

Gastrointestinal

• Dyspepsia (14%), heartburn, nausea, constipation, Diarrhea, abdominal pain (1% to 10%)
• Pancreatitis (less than 0.01%)
• Flatulence, gastritis, vomiting, dysphagia, stomatitis, abdomen enlarged, eructation, GI hemorrhage, rectal hemorrhage, aphthous, mouth ulcer, stomach ulcer, cardiospasm, colitis, esophagitis, gastroenteritis, GI disorder, rectal disorder, tooth disorder, melena esophageal ulcer, hematemesis, non-peptic GI ulceration, ulcerative stomatitis, sialadenitis, colitis
• Inflammation, bleeding, ulceration, perforation, obstruction, exacerbation of inflammatory bowel disease

Hepatic

• Hepatitis, jaundice (less than 0.1%)
• Cholecystitis, cholelithiasis, hepatosplenomegaly, liver function abnormality, SGOT increased, SGPT increased, elevated liver enzymes

Nervous system

• Headache (15%)
• Drowsiness, dizziness (1% to 10%)
• Cognitive dysfunction, poor concentration (0.1% to 1%)
• Convulsions, stroke (less than 0.01%)
• Paresthesia, lightheadedness, migraine, syncope, hypertonia, neuralgia, neuritis, amnesia, paralysis

Renal

• Glomerulonephritis, interstitial nephritis, nephrotic syndrome, renal papillary necrosis (less than 0.01%)
• Kidney function abnormality, pyelonephritis, creatinine increased, glucosuria, albuminuria, BUN increased, renal failure, renal disease, kidney pain, nephrosclerosis, kidney failure, kidney calculus, nephropathy

Cardiovascular

• Palpitations (0.1% to 1%)
• Vasculitis (0.01% to 0.1%)
• Arterial thrombotic events, myocardial infarction
• Hypertension, angina pectoris, coronary artery disease, deep thrombophlebitis, vasodilation, vascular anomaly, arrhythmia, bundle branch block, abnormal ECG, right heart failure, hemorrhage, aortic stenosis, tachycardia, congestive heart failure
• Cardiac failure (less than 0.01%)

Hematologic

• Hemolytic anemia (0.01% to 0.1%)
• Granulocytopenia, thrombocytopenia, agranulocytosis (less than 0.01%)
• Anemia, aplastic anemia, leukopenia, bleeding time increased, eosinophilia, abnormal RBC, abnormal WBC, neutropenia, pancytopenia

Hypersensitivity

• Allergic reaction, anaphylactoid/anaphylaxis reaction, hypersensitivity reaction

Dermatologic

• Ecchymosis, rash, skin eruptions, pruritus, purpura (1% to 10%)
• Urticaria, photosensitivity (0.1% to 1%)
• Alopecia, pseudo-porphyria (0.01% to 0.1%)
• Toxic epidermal necrolysis, erythema multiforme, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, epidermolysis bullosa (less than 0.01%)
• Angioneurotic edema/angioedema, angiodermatitis, dry skin, sweating, skin ulcer, acne, contact dermatitis, eczema, skin necrosis, subcutaneous nodule, photosensitive dermatitis, porphyria cutaneous tarda, nail disorder, epidermal necrosis, exfoliative dermatoses, bullous dermatoses, lichen planus
• Erythema nodosum, fixed drug eruption, pustular reaction, bullous reactions

Respiratory

• Pharyngitis, rhinitis, dyspnea (1% to 10%)
• Aggravated asthma, eosinophilic pneumonitis (less than 0.1%)
• Bronchitis, cough increased, asthma, pulmonary edema, laryngitis, lung disorder, epistaxis, pneumonia, respiratory distress, respiratory disorder, bronchospasm, sore throat

Other

• Influenza-like syndrome (10%)
• Infection, edema, tinnitus, fatigue (1% to 10%)
• Hearing impairment (0.01% to 0.1%)
• Aseptic meningitis (less than 0.01%)
• Fever, accidental injury, asthenia, chest pain, peripheral edema, hearing disturbances, thirst, abscess, cellulitis, malaise, mucous membrane disorder, periodontal abscess, necrosis, aseptic meningitis, chills, weight increased, otitis media, deafness, ear disorder, herpes simplex, herpes zoster, vertigo, subdural hematoma, exacerbation of Parkinson’s disease

Metabolic

• Hyperkalemia (less than 0.1%)
• Hyperglycemia, anorexia, alkalosis, dehydration, glucose tolerance increase, hyperuricemia, hypokalemia

Endocrine

• Infertility

General

• Headache, dyspepsia, nausea, constipation, heartburn, abdominal pain, and influenza-like syndrome.

Genitourinary

• Urinary tract infection (1% to 10%)
• Hematuria (less than 0.01%)
• Cystitis, monilia, pelvic pain, dysmenorrhea, dysuria, nocturia, prostate disorder, urinary incontinence, menorrhagia, menstrual disorders, vaginitis, uterine spasm, urinary retention, urinary frequency, abnormal urine, pyuria, metrorrhagia

Musculoskeletal

• Back pain (1% to 10%)
• Myalgia, muscle weakness (less than 0.1%)
• Leg cramps, arthralgia, joint disorder, tendon disorder, neck rigid/pain, LE syndrome, myasthenia, bone disorder, spontaneous bone fracture, fibrotendinitis, bone pain, spasm, bursitis
• Systemic lupus erythematosus

Ocular

• Visual disturbances (1% to 10%)
• Ptosis, amblyopia, scleritis, cataract, conjunctivitis, keratoconjunctivitis, lacrimation disorder, eye pain, diplopia, retrobulbar optic neuritis
• Corneal opacity, papillitis, papilledema

Oncologic

• Carcinoma, breast carcinoma, breast neoplasm, skin neoplasm

Psychiatric

• Confusion (1% to 10%)
• Depression, dream abnormalities, mood alterations (0.1% to 1%)
• Insomnia, anxiety, nervousness, emotional lability, hallucinations

Long Term Effects of Naproxen

Long-term use of Naproxen may bring about various effects, including chronic pain management for conditions like arthritis, potential gastrointestinal issues such as ulcers or bleeding, a slight risk of cardiovascular events, impact on kidney function requiring regular monitoring, elevated blood pressure, potential liver function changes, medication interactions, the development of tolerance leading to increased doses, and the possibility of withdrawal symptoms when discontinuing. Close adherence to healthcare provider guidance, consistent health monitoring, and consideration of alternative treatments when necessary are vital to ensure the safest and most effective long-term use of Naproxen.

Side Effects of Naproxen During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Naproxen, while excreted in small quantities in breast milk, adverse effects in infants exposed to naproxen through breast milk are generally uncommon, there have been isolated reports of side effects, including potential impacts on the baby’s blood, instances of drowsiness, and occasional episodes of vomiting. Although these occurrences are rare, it’s crucial for breastfeeding mothers to remain vigilant and consult with their healthcare providers if they observe any unusual symptoms or side effects in their infants while using naproxen. This ensures the safety and well-being of both the mother and the nursing child.

The use of Naproxen during the later stages of pregnancy may potentially lead to the premature closure of the ductus arteriosus, which is the connection between two major blood vessels leading from the heart. This premature closure can result in elevated blood pressure within the fetal lungs, a condition known as pulmonary hypertension. It’s essential for pregnant individuals to be aware of these risks and to avoid Naproxen use during the later stages of pregnancy, particularly during the third trimester, to prevent these potential complications and ensure the well-being of the developing fetus. Consulting with a healthcare provider for safer alternatives in managing pain and inflammation during pregnancy is advisable.

Side Effects of Naproxen in Pediatric (Children)

It’s crucial to emphasize that the safety and effectiveness of naproxen have not been established for children under the age of 2. If your child exhibits signs of potential liver problems, such as dark urine, fatigue, reduced appetite, stomach discomfort, light-colored stools, vomiting, or yellowing of the skin or eyes, it’s imperative to promptly contact a healthcare provider. Additionally, be aware that there is a risk of severe skin reactions, such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome or toxic epidermal necrolysis, which can occur. Monitoring your child’s health and seeking immediate medical attention for any concerning symptoms is essential for their well-being.

Side Effects of Naproxen in Geriatric Age (Elderly individuals)

For individuals aged 65 and over, caution should be exercised when using naproxen as their bodies may metabolize the medication more slowly. In such cases, a healthcare provider may prescribe an initial lower dose to prevent the excessive buildup of the drug in the system, as an excess can pose potential harm. It’s important to note that elderly patients may also be more sensitive to the effects of naproxen compared to younger adults, and they are more likely to have age-related kidney or stomach issues. Consequently, special care, including potential adjustments in the dosage, may be necessary for older patients who are taking naproxen to ensure their safety and well-being. Consulting with a healthcare provider is essential to determine the most suitable approach for this age group.