naproxen
Prescription naproxen is used to relieve pain, tenderness, swelling, and stiffness caused by osteoarthritis (arthritis caused by a breakdown of the lining of the joints), rheumatoid arthritis (arthritis caused by swelling of the lining of the joints), juvenile arthritis (a form of joint disease in children), and ankylosing spondylitis (arthritis that mainly affects the spine). Prescription naproxen tablets, extended-release tablets, and suspension are also used to relieve shoulder pain caused by bursitis (inflammation of a fluid-filled sac in the shoulder joint), tendinitis (inflammation of the tissue that connects muscle to bone), gouty arthritis (attacks of joint pain caused by a build-up of certain substances in the joints), and pain from other causes, including menstrual pain (pain that happens before or during a menstrual period). Nonprescription naproxen is used to reduce fever and to relieve mild pain from headaches, muscle aches, arthritis, menstrual periods, the common cold, toothaches, and backaches. Naproxen is in a class of medications called NSAIDs. It works by stopping the body's production of a substance that causes pain, fever, and inflammation.
Full drug information on MedlinePlus →This is general information, not medical advice. Pregnancy and breastfeeding decisions should always be made with your healthcare provider.
Can taking naproxen affect fertility or make it harder to get pregnant?
Some studies suggest that using naproxen and other NSAIDs might make it harder to get pregnant. This may be more likely when NSAIDs are used often or over a long period of time. If you have questions about how naproxen could affect your fertility, it is best to discuss them with your healthcare provider.
Does taking naproxen increase the risk of miscarriage?
Miscarriage can occur in any pregnancy for many different reasons, and some studies have suggested that taking naproxen may increase the chance of miscarriage. Because there can be many causes of miscarriage, it is hard to know whether the medication, the underlying medical condition, or other factors are involved. Your healthcare provider can help you weigh these considerations in your specific situation.
Does taking naproxen increase the risk of birth defects?
Every pregnancy starts with a 3–5% background risk of a birth defect, and studies do not agree on whether naproxen changes this risk. Several large studies of NSAIDs did not show an increased chance of birth defects, but some studies have reported a small increased chance of heart defects with NSAID use in early pregnancy, and a possible (unproven) association with cleft lip and palate. It is not known whether naproxen itself or other factors, such as the conditions being treated, explain these findings, so discussion with a healthcare provider is recommended.
Can taking naproxen during pregnancy cause other pregnancy-related complications?
The FDA states that NSAIDs should not be used after week 20 of pregnancy unless specifically recommended by a healthcare provider. Use in the second half of pregnancy may lower amniotic fluid (oligohydramnios), which can lead to problems such as kidney damage, poor lung development, joint contractures, or the need for early delivery, and naproxen later in pregnancy might also cause narrowing of blood vessels in the fetus. One study also found that first-trimester use was linked to babies being smaller than expected. Anyone needing naproxen during pregnancy should be closely monitored by their healthcare provider.
Can taking naproxen during pregnancy affect the child's brain development, learning, or behavior?
This is not known. There is no study that looks specifically at later learning in children exposed only to naproxen, and broader studies on NSAIDs and neurodevelopment do not agree on whether there is an increased chance of learning or attention problems. Study design limitations make it difficult to know if any findings are linked to the medication itself or to other factors, such as the reason the parent took an NSAID. This is a good topic to discuss with a healthcare provider.
Is it safe to breastfeed while taking naproxen?
Naproxen passes into breast milk in small amounts, and use is not expected to be harmful to most breastfeeding babies, though there is one report of blood-related health problems in an infant exposed to naproxen along with another medication. Naproxen stays in breast milk longer than other NSAIDs, so NSAIDs that leave the body more quickly may be preferred while breastfeeding. If a baby shows symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, bleeding, or trouble feeding or gaining weight, contact the child's healthcare provider, and discuss any breastfeeding questions with your provider.
Source: MotherToBaby Fact Sheet
naproxen