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Common uses
Aleve used for the management of mild to moderate pain, fever, and inflammation. They work by reducing the levels of prostaglandins, chemicals that are responsible for pain, fever and inflammation. Naproxen blocks the enzyme that makes prostaglandins (cyclooxygenase ), resulting in lower concentrations of prostaglandins. As a consequence, inflammation, pain and fever are reduced.
Before using
Taking an NSAID can increase your risk of life-threatening heart or circulation problems, including heart attack or stroke. This risk will increase the longer you use an NSAID. Do not use this medicine just before or after having heart bypass surgery (also called coronary artery bypass graft, or CABG).
NSAIDs can also increase your risk of serious effects on the stomach or intestines, including bleeding or perforation (forming of a hole). These conditions can be fatal and gastrointestinal effects can occur without warning at any time while you are taking an NSAID. Older adults may have an even greater risk of these serious gastrointestinal side effects.
Do not use this medication if you are allergic to Aleve, or if you have a history of allergic reaction to aspirin or other NSAIDs.
Before taking Aleve, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:
• a history of heart attack, stroke, or blood clot;
• heart disease, congestive heart failure, high blood pressure;
• a history of stomach ulcers or bleeding;
• liver or kidney disease;
• asthma;
• polyps in your nose;
• a bleeding or blood clotting disorder; or
• if you smoke.
If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to use Aleve, or you may need a dosage adjustment or special tests during treatment.
FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. Taking Aleve during the last 3 months of pregnancy may result in birth defects. Do not take Aleve during pregnancy unless your doctor has told you to. Aleve can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. Do not give this medicine to a child younger than 2 years old without the advice of a doctor.
Directions
Follow dosage directions printed at the label of the drug or your doctor prescriptions when using this medicine. Avoid exceeding the dosage or therapy period. Take the whole pill at once without chewing or breaking it as it is designed to slow the process of getting the medicine into the body. In case you will crush the pill you will let large amount of the medicine appear in the body at once. The medicine has special cover preventing any stomach problems. You can break this cover by crushing the pill. In case you use the suspension it is recommended to shake it before taking. Use the measuring spoon or medicine cup to measure the required amount of the suspension. In case you don’t have such spoon or cup contact your doctor. Several checks may be required to monitor your condition in case of long-term treatment period. Avoid missing visits to your doctor.
Cautions
Contact your doctor before taking any other over-the-counter cold, allergy or pain drug along with Aleve as many of these drugs contain the same or similar components as Aleve. In case you will combine these drugs you may exceed the dose of this or that drug component in your body. Read the drug contents information to know whether it contains aspirin, ibuprofen or ketoprofen. Avoid drinking alcohol throughout the therapy period as it may increase the possibility of stomach bleeding that can be caused by the Aleve. Taking the medicine can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight, therefore it is recommended to avoid exposing to the sunlight for a long period of time. It is recommended to wear protective clothes to prevent any sunburn.
Possible side effects
Taking the medicine can lead to such side effects as rash, ringing in the ears, headaches, dizziness, drowsiness, abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea, constipation, heartburn, fluid retention and shortness of breath. The medicine can also have such side effects as stomach and intestinal bleeding and ulcers. These conditions may take place without any abdominal pains. The symptoms of these conditions are: Black tarry stools, weakness, and dizziness upon standing. Avoid taking the medicine in case you have allergic reaction to other NSAIDs.
If you take too much
Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. Symptoms of a Aleve overdose may include nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, confusion, drowsiness, black or bloody stools, coughing up blood, shallow breathing, fainting, or coma.
Additional information
The affect of the medicine on pregnant women is not studied. Thus taking the medicine is not recommended throughout the pregnancy period.
Drug interactions
Before taking Aleve, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following drugs:
• a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin);
• lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid);
• methotrexate (Rheumatrex, Trexall);
• diuretics (water pills) such as furosemide (Lasix);
• steroids (prednisone and others);
• aspirin or other NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as diclofenac (Cataflam, Voltaren), etodolac (Lodine), flurbiprofen (Ansaid), indomethacin (Indocin), ketoprofen (Orudis), ketorolac (Toradol), mefenamic acid (Ponstel), meloxicam (Mobic), nabumetone (Relafen), piroxicam (Feldene), and others; or
• an ACE inhibitor such as benazepril (Lotensin), captopril (Capoten), fosinopril (Monopril), enalapril (Vasotec), lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril), ramipril (Altace), and others.
If you are using any of these drugs, you may not be able to use Aleve or you may need dosage adjustments or special tests during treatment.
There may be other drugs not listed that can affect Aleve. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.
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Aleve
