Naproxen?

[SummerSazz]

Anyone knowledgeable on Naproxen? I've been prescribed it for a strained wrist which is painful but not really awful - I just have to make sure I don't put weight on it, use it to turn things or lift heavy things

However my GP has prescribed Naproxen which has a horrific list of side effects. The GP asked if I had a sensitive stomach but that was it.

Now to my Q - what is the Naproxen supposed to be doing? It says an anti inflammatory but if that is it can I not just wait for the inflammation to settle or use something a bit less brutal?

I am now feeling a bit funny in the stomach (having taken them yesterday and today) but I do have a feeling this could well be psychosomatic

I'd really not take the medication but am I over dramatizing? I understand lots of people must have to take it regularly and I feel for them if they do suffer any of the long list of side effects

Any thoughts gratefully received

Have you ever taken ibuprofen or Nurofen? It works in the same way and has exactly the same side effects - it ibuprofen didn't worry you, naproxen shouldn't either.

You could wait for the inflammation to settle but a) it might not without help b) this might not be compatible with daily living/going to work. You don't have to take the meds but it's reasonable for a GP to assume that if you are complaining of pain bad enough to see someone, you don't just want to wait it out.

Also the leaflets inside packets of meds may say 'Patient Information' on them but they are not actually written with patients in mind. They are written to comply with legal marketing requirements. If everybody read them, nobody would ever take any medication at all.

Oh thanks very much Kundry, that's really reassuring

I do take ibuprofen happily so it's great to hear it is in essence just a stronger version. I'll try and ignore the odd stomach feeling

I must admit I wasn't quite with it for my 7.15am Monday morning GP appointment otherwise I might have asked more questions!

That is early!

If you are fine with ibuprofen, would should be fine with naproxen However if the stomach doesn't settle, please go back as this class of drugs may not suit you, or you may need additional meds to protect your stomach.

Thankyou - inappreciate that

They haven't quite got the early morning systems sussed yet and the GP had to venture outside in the dark and find me in my car . Great for working folk though

I appreciate even

I have been taking Naproxen for over a year with no ill effects. I do take Omeprozole with it though to protect the stomach.

Have you been taking it with / after food? I'm on it long term an the few times I've been in a rush and taken it without any food I've had a bit of stomach bother.
Of all the NDAIDS (naproxen and ibuprofen are in this drug category), naproxen is the only one not to give me any side effects. And I've tried a lot of them! If you keep having problems with t they can give you a PPI (such as lansoprazole) to help, and I believe you can get enteric coated tablets which also help. They don't like prescribing them due to the cost, but should do if you ask.

I take Naproxen every day, twice a day. It can be a bit hard on a sensitive stomach - I get very acid reflux-ey if I get my timings wrong.

Make sure you take it with food to cut the stomach stuff down and if it continues go back to the GP for some gastric protection - though over the counter Zantac/Ranitidine will do the trick.

Hope your wrist is better soon...

Thanks Flighty - so do I. Thankfully GP thinks not arthritis but possibly RSI. I'm really hoping it's just a strain.

I have been taking with food so I just think I am more hyper aware of how my stomach feels having read the endless leaflet.

Chuck/Ipswich - I'll bear the additional drugs in mind if the stomach does flare. Thanks

Enteric coated tablets don't help really (I know someone will post now to say they are brilliant ) Most of the irritation comes due to the effects of the drug once it is absorbed into the body, not because it irritates your stomach while it is sitting in it, so the coating doesn't really prevent it.