Naproxen sodium (INN) (
/nəˈprɒksən/) is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) commonly used for the reduction of pain, fever, inflammation and stiffness caused by conditions such as:
- osteoarthritis
- kidney stones
- rheumatoid arthritis
- psoriatic arthritis
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- gout
- ankylosing spondylitis
- menstrual cramps
- tendinitis
- bursitis
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It is also used for the treatment of primary dysmenorrhea. It works by inhibiting both the COX-1 and COX-2 enzymes. Naproxen and naproxen sodium are marketed under various trade names, including: Aleve, Anaprox, Antalgin, Feminax Ultra, Flanax, Inza, Midol Extended Relief, Nalgesin, Naposin, Naprelan, Naprogesic, Naprosyn, Narocin, Proxen, Synflex and Xenobid.
Naproxen was originally marketed as the prescription drug Naprosyn by Syntex in 1976, and naproxen sodium was first marketed under the trade name Anaprox in 1980. It remains a prescription-only drug in much of the world. In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved its use as an over-the-counter (OTC) drug in 1994; OTC preparations in the U.S. are mainly marketed by Bayer HealthCare under the trade name Aleve and generic store brand formulations. In Australia, packets of 275 mg tablets of naproxen sodium are Schedule 2 pharmacy medicines, with a maximum daily dose of 5 tablets or 1375 mg. In the United Kingdom, 250 mg tablets of naproxen were approved for OTC sale under the brand name Feminax Ultra in 2008, for the treatment of primary dysmenorrhoea in women aged 15 to 50.1 Aleve became available over-the-counter in most provinces in Canada on 14 July 2009, it became available in Quebec during the summer of 2010 but can only be dispensed by a pharmacy employee after an assessment of the patient's needs. It most recently became available in British Columbia in March 2011. 2
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Contents
- 1 Risks and adverse effects
- 2 Structure and details
- 3 Synthesis
- 4 See also
- 5 References
- 6 External links
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Risks and adverse effects
COX-2 selective and non-selective NSAIDs have been linked to increases in the number of serious and potentially fatal cardiovascular events such as myocardial infarctions and stroke. A 2011 meta-analysis published in the British Medical Journal states that, of all NSAIDs evaluated, naproxen was associated with the smallest overall cardiovascular risks.3 The drug had roughly 50% of the associated risk of stroke as compared with ibuprofen and was also associated with a reduced number of myocardial infarctions as compared to control groups.
As with other NSAIDs, naproxen can cause gastrointestinal problems such as heartburn, constipation, diarrhea, ulcers, and stomach bleeding 4, and those with a history of ulcers or inflammatory bowel disease should consult a doctor before taking naproxen. Consumption of alcohol may increase the risk of gastrointestinal complications.
NSAID Painkillers, such as Naproxen, may interfere and reduce efficiency of SSRI antidepressants 56
Structure and details
Naproxen is a member of the 2-arylpropionic acid (profen) family of NSAIDs. The free acid is an odorless, white to off-white crystalline substance. It is lipid-soluble and practically insoluble in water. It has a melting point of 152-154 °C.
Synthesis
Naproxen has been industrially produced by Syntex as follows:7

Other synthetic routes have also been discussed.7
See also
- Aspirin
- Paracetamol
- Ibuprofen
References
- ^ Pocock, Nicola (2006). "MHRA approves availability of OTC naproxen (Feminax Ultra)". NHS Press Release. http://www.druginfozone.nhs.uk/Record%20Viewing/viewRecord.aspx?id=591725.
- ^ http://www.bayer.ca/files/Aleve%20Release.July14.FINAL_.pdf
- ^ Trelle S, Reichenbach S, Wandel S, Hildebrand P, Tschannen B, Villiger PM, Egger M, Jüni P. (2011). "Cardiovascular safety of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs: network meta-analysis". BMJ 342: c7086. doi:10.1136/bmj.c7086. PMC 3019238. PMID 21224324. http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?tool=pmcentrez&artid=3019238.
- ^ Naproxen - PubMed Health
- ^ Why Painkillers Interfere with Anti-depressants
- ^ J.L. Warner-Schmidt et.al "Antidepressant effects of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are attenuated by antiinflammatory drugs in mice and humans" PNAS 2011
- ^ a b Peter J. Harrington and Eric Lodewijk (1997). "Twenty Years of Naproxen Technology". Org. Process Res. Dev. 1 (1): 72–76. doi:10.1021/op960009e.
External links
- CID 1302 from PubChem
- EINECS number 244-838-7
- MedlinePlus Information on naproxen
- FDA Statement on Naproxen, released 20 December 2004
- Alzheimer's Disease Anti-Inflammatory Prevention Trial
- Forbes article (expressing the point of view that the risk of heart attack or stroke was overstated)
- Which NSAID for Heart Disease Patients? - Medscape
- U.S. National Library of Medicine: Drug Information Portal - Naproxen
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Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) products (primarily M01A and M02A, also N02BA)
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| Salicylates |
Aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) • Aloxiprin • Benorylate • Diflunisal • Ethenzamide • Magnesium salicylate • Methyl salicylate • Salsalate • Salicin • Salicylamide • Sodium salicylate
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| Arylalkanoic acids |
Diclofenac • Aceclofenac • Acemetacin • Alclofenac • Bromfenac • Etodolac • Indometacin • Indometacin farnesil • Nabumetone • Oxametacin • Proglumetacin • Sulindac • Tolmetin
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2-Arylpropionic acids
(profens) |
Ibuprofen • Alminoprofen • Benoxaprofen • Carprofen • Dexibuprofen • Dexketoprofen • Fenbufen • Fenoprofen • Flunoxaprofen • Flurbiprofen • Ibuproxam • Indoprofen† • Ketoprofen • Ketorolac • Loxoprofen • Miroprofen • Naproxen • Oxaprozin • Pirprofen • Suprofen • Tarenflurbil • Tiaprofenic acid
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N-Arylanthranilic acids
(fenamic acids) |
Mefenamic acid • Flufenamic acid • Meclofenamic acid • Tolfenamic acid
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| Pyrazolidine derivatives |
Phenylbutazone • Ampyrone • Azapropazone • Clofezone • Kebuzone • Metamizole • Mofebutazone • Oxyphenbutazone • Phenazone • Sulfinpyrazone
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| Oxicams |
Piroxicam • Droxicam • Lornoxicam • Meloxicam • Tenoxicam • Ampiroxicam
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| COX-2 inhibitors |
Celecoxib • Deracoxib‡ • Etoricoxib • Firocoxib‡ • Lumiracoxib† • Parecoxib • Rofecoxib† • Valdecoxib†
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| Sulfonanilides |
Nimesulide
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| Topically used products |
Bendazac • Diclofenac • Etofenamate • Felbinac • Flurbiprofen • Ibuprofen • Indometacin • Ketoprofen • Naproxen • Piroxicam • Suprofen
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| COX-inhibiting nitric oxide donators |
Naproxcinod
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| Others |
Fluproquazone
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Items listed in bold indicate initially developed compounds of specific groups. †Withdrawn drugs. ‡Veterinary use medications.
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Anti-inflammatory products (M01A)
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| Pyrazolidine/Butylpyrazolidines |
Ampyrone • Clofezone • Kebuzone • Metamizole • Mofebutazone • Oxyphenbutazone • Phenazone • Phenylbutazone • Sulfinpyrazone • Feprazone •
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Acetic acid derivatives
and related substances |
Aceclofenac • Acemetacin • Alclofenac • Bromfenac • Bumadizone • Bufexamac • Diclofenac • Difenpiramide • Etodolac • Fentiazac • Indometacin • Ketorolac • Lonazolac • Oxametacin • Proglumetacin • Sulindac • Tolmetin • Zomepirac • Amfenac
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| Oxicams |
Ampiroxicam • Droxicam • Lornoxicam • Meloxicam • Piroxicam • Tenoxicam
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| Propionic acid derivatives |
Alminoprofen • Benoxaprofen • Dexibuprofen • Dexketoprofen • Fenbufen • Fenoprofen • Flunoxaprofen • Flurbiprofen • Ibuprofen • Ibuproxam • Indoprofen • Ketoprofen • Naproxen • Oxaprozin • Pirprofen • Suprofen • Tiaprofenic acid
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| Fenamates |
Flufenamic acid • Meclofenamic acid • Mefenamic acid • Tolfenamic acid • Niflumic acid • Morniflumate • Azapropazone •
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| Coxibs |
Celecoxib • Etoricoxib • Lumiracoxib • Parecoxib • Rofecoxib • Valdecoxib
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| Other |
Nabumetone • Glucosamine • Benzydamine • Glycosaminoglycan • Magnesium salicylate • Proquazone • Superoxide dismutase/Orgotein • Nimesulide • Diacerein • Tenidap • Oxaceprol • Chondroitin sulfate
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anat (h/n, u, t/d, a/p, l)/phys/devp/hist
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noco(m, s, c)/cong(d)/tumr, sysi/epon, injr
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Topical products for joint and muscular pain (M02)
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Anti-inflammatory preparations,
non-steroids |
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Butylpyrazolidines
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Phenylbutazone • Mofebutazone • Clofezone • Oxyphenbutazone
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Acetic acid derivatives
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Tolmetin • Diclofenac • Fentiazac
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Other
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Benzydamine • Etofenamate • Piroxicam • Felbinac • Bufexamac • Ketoprofen • Bendazac • Naproxen • Ibuprofen • Feprazone • Niflumic acid • Meclofenamic acid • Flurbiprofen • Suxibuzone • Indometacin • Nifenazone
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| Capsaicin derivatives |
Zucapsaicin
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| Other |
Tolazoline • Dimethyl sulfoxide • Idrocilamide
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Analgesics (N02A, N02B)
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Opioids
See also: Opioids template |
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Opium & alkaloids thereof
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Codeine# • Morphine# • Opium • Laudanum • Paregoric
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Semi-synthetic opium
derivatives
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Acetyldihydrocodeine • Benzylmorphine • Buprenorphine • Desomorphine • Dihydrocodeine • Dihydromorphine • Ethylmorphine • Diamorphine • Hydrocodone • Hydromorphinol • Hydromorphone • Nicocodeine • Nicodicodeine • Nicomorphine • Oxycodone • Oxymorphone
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Synthetic opioids
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Alphaprodine • Anileridine • Butorphanol • Dextromoramide • Dextropropoxyphene • Dezocine • Fentanyl • Ketobemidone • Levorphanol • Methadone • Meptazinol • Nalbuphine • Pentazocine • Propoxyphene • Propiram • Pethidine • Phenazocine • Piminodine • Piritramide • Tapentadol • Tilidine • Tramadol
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| Pyrazolones |
Ampyrone/Aminophenazone • Metamizole • Phenazone • Propyphenazone
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| Cannabinoids |
Ajulemic acid • AM404 • Cannabidiol • Cannabis • Nabilone • Nabiximols • Tetrahydrocannabinol
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| Anilides |
Paracetamol (acetaminophen)# • Phenacetin • Propacetamol
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Non-steroidal
anti-inflammatories
See also: NSAIDs template |
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Propionic acid class
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Fenoprofen • Flurbiprofen • Ibuprofen# • Ketoprofen • Naproxen • Oxaprozin
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Oxicam class
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Acetic acid class
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Diclofenac • Indometacin • Ketorolac • Nabumetone • Sulindac • Tolmetin
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COX-2 inhibitors
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Celecoxib • Rofecoxib • Valdecoxib • Parecoxib • Lumiracoxib
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Anthranilic acid
(fenamate) class
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Meclofenamate • Mefenamic acid
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Salicylates
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Aspirin (Acetylsalicylic acid)# • Benorylate • Diflunisal • Ethenzamide • Magnesium salicylate • Salicin • Salicylamide • Salsalate • Trisalate • Wintergreen (Methyl salicylate)
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Atypical, adjuvant and potentiators,
Metabolic agents and miscellaneous |
Amitryptiline • Befiradol • Bicifadine • Carisoprodol • Camphor • Cimetidine • Clonidine • Chlorzoxazone • Cyclobenzaprine • Duloxetine • Esreboxetine • Flupirtine • Gabapentin • Glafenine • Hydroxyzine • Ketamine • Menthol • Mephenoxalone • Methocarbamol • Nefopam • Orphenadrine • Pregabalin • Proglumide • Scopolamine • Tebanicline • Trazodone • Gabapentin enacarbil • Ziconotide
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- #WHO-EM
- ‡Withdrawn from market
- Clinical trials:
- †Phase III
- §Never to phase III
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anat(n/s/m/p/4/e/b/d/c/a/f/l/g)/phys/devp
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noco(m/d/e/h/v/s)/cong/tumr, sysi/epon, injr
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proc, drug(N1A/2AB/C/3/4/7A/B/C/D)
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Prolactin inhibitors and anti-inflammatory products for vaginal administration (G02CB–G02CC)
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| Prolactin inhibitors |
Bromocriptine • Lisuride • Cabergoline • Quinagolide • Metergoline • Terguride
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Anti-inflammatory products
for vaginal administration |
Ibuprofen • Naproxen • Benzydamine • Flunoxaprofen
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