To ask if anyone has taken Naproxen?

[thewaylifegoes]

I’m posting here for traffic, and I’ll admit right now I’ve got some health anxiety.

I have just returned from a ski trip where I have unfortunately torn some ligaments in my ankle. I’m on a waiting list to be assessed to see if I need surgery, or whether it can heal naturally. In the meantime, my GP had prescribed naproxen and omeprazole for me.

But I am totally confused. The packet of the naproxen says to take two a day. The omeprazole says one tablet a day, but during our consultation the GP said to take an omeprazole with each naproxen I take. I’m also aware that omeprazole can have some bad long term side effects, so I just feel a little confused.

I’ve held off taking them for a good few days now because of this but I’m in so much pain that I need to take one. My question being - how?!

Yes I've taken it for a few years. When I got them on prescription they were 500mg tablets but now I buy them online it's usually 250mg and I take them two at a time. So doctor probably meant one omeprazole with a 500mg tablet. But check, obviously.

Naproxen can cause tummy issues so you are meant to have omeprazole with it too.

OP personally I think naproxen is shite I’d take ibuprofen and ask for co codamol, that’s what I was given when I tore my ligaments a few years ago

I take your point, however the patient information leaflet lists the following as possible side effects of taking Naproxen:

Important side effects to look out for (Serious side effects):
Stop taking Naproxen and tell your doctor straight away if any of the following side effects happen. You may need urgent medical treatment:
Allergic reactions, signs include:

• sudden swelling of your throat, face, hands or feet
• difficulty breathing, tightness in your chest
• skin, rashes, blisters or itching.

Serious stomach or gut problems, signs include:

• bleeding from the stomach, seen as vomit which has blood in it, or bits that look like coffee grounds
• bleeding from your back passage (anus), seen as passing black sticky bowel motions (stools) or bloody diarrhoea
• ulcers or holes forming in your stomach or gut, seen as upset stomach, stomach pain, fever, feeling or being sick
• problems with your pancreas, seen as severe stomach pain which spreads to your back
• worsening of ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease, seen as pain, diarrhoea, vomiting and weight loss.

It’s important that anyone taking any medication carefully reads the enclosed patient information leaflet, regardless of whether you have anxiety.

It's best practice to give both drugs. A GP gave me Naproxen without a PPI and I developed an ulcer.

OP check with the pharmacy if it helps, but one Omeprazole and 2 Naproxen is right. Don't take the Naproxen without having a daily Omeprazole, and never on an empty stomach.

It's best practice to give both drugs. A GP gave me Naproxen without a PPI and I developed an ulcer.
OP check with the pharmacy if it helps, but one Omeprazole and 2 Naproxen is right. Don't take the Naproxen without having a daily Omeprazole, and never on an empty stomach.

@Swimmingatdawn I just checked with SiL (Pharmacist who teaches prescribing to newly qualified doctors) and your advice is correct (never take nurofen or naproxen on an empty stomach, and omeprazole is also indicated).

Issues with omeprazole are only if you take it long term for years.
Short term it protects your stomach if you take NSAIDs. Naproxen can work very well for pain relief and as anti inflammatory but it can be very hard on your stomach, hence in the UK is almost always prescribed with a PPI alongside.
Naproxen is the next level up from Ibuprofen. If you are over 65 you shouldn't take ibuprofen without stomach protection according to my GP.

There is a combo pill available called Vimovo. It has naproxen + PPI in the one pill. That might work better for some people.

@BillieWiper · Today 10:34

Gawd knows why he's giving you stomach meds for a torn ligament. I guess because of the side effects of the other thing?

Yes. She has been given the omeprazole to protect her stomach against the Naproxen.

Yeah that makes sense. I was recommending another med that needs a second to counter the sides so yeah I do know really. Sorry I sounded daft then!

me too. Omeprazole first thing. I also take zapain which I take a soon as I wake. If I can I like to leave a bit between the two. I then have naproxen with breakfast and late dinner. Know loads of people on same regime but as others say no harm in checking with professional for confirmation.

Yes I take naproxen for headaches before ovulation a couple days a month 500mg ones x

Same for my mum. Naproxen without omeprazole caused a huge stomach ulcer.

I used to take naproxen for period issues but was never prescribed omeprazole with it, just made sure I took it with food.

This is the same prescription I was given when I dislocated my shoulder. They told me to take all the doses of the naproxen to get the benefit so definitely don't stop. The different numbers will just be the standard package sizes.
As far as I understand it, the side-effects of omezaprole are from prolonged use.