Is Naproxen Good For Headaches

When To Worry About A Headache

Most headaches respond to self-care, OTC pain relievers, or medication your doctor prescribes. For some headaches, though, its best to promptly seek medical advice. Warning signs include a headache that:

• is unusually severe or steadily worsens
• follows a blow to the head
• is accompanied by fever, stiff neck, confusion, decreased alertness or memory, or neurological symptoms such as visual disturbances, slurred speech, weakness, numbness, or seizures.

Image: kimberrywood/Getty Images

Effectiveness Of Naproxen For Headache

A research was conducted by Simon Law et al. to study the effectiveness of Naproxen on people suffering from headaches and migraine. 6 studies from about 2700 participants were collected by assigning 275mg, 500mg, and 825 mg doses. The participants were given doses of Naproxen and a placebo.

It was observed that Naproxen was more effective in relieving headaches and migraine. People relived after taking Naproxen was more than people taking placebo. There were adverse effects with mild intensity observed when high doses were administered. Thus, Naproxen with lower doses can better effective results against headaches and migraines .

Naproxen Acetaminophen Dull Migraine Pain

By Rachael Myers Lowe, Reuters Health

4 Min Read

NEW YORK – Migraine sufferers may be able to get sufficient relief without turning to prescription drugs, according to two new studies.

The studies, published in the latest issue of the journal Headache, conclude that naproxen and acetaminophen effectively decreased or eliminated pain and reduced migraine recurrence and migraine-associated symptoms to a degree defined as a desirable outcome of migraine therapy by the International Headache Society.

Migraine headache affects as many as 28 million Americans and costs the U.S. economy an estimated $24 billion every year.

About three-quarters of people who suffer from migraines report more than one migraine a month. The symptoms — pain, light and noise sensitivity, nausea — can last from 4 to 72 hours and often lead to missed days from school or work.

Researchers from Thailand analyzed four well-designed previous studies of naproxen at doses of 500 to 825 milligrams for treatment of acute moderate to severe migraines involving 2,168 patients.

Led by Chuthamanee Suthisisand of Mahidol University in Bangkok, the authors concluded that naproxen effectively reduced headache intensity, pain and symptoms within 2 hours of taking it – defined by the International Headache Society as a desirable outcome.

However, because of side effects, not all patients can take triptans, and naproxen offers those patients a non-prescription alternative, Suthisisand told Reuters Health by email.

Also Check: How To Treat Severe Headache

Is Naproxen 500mg Good For A Headache

Naproxen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug prescription and over-the-counter medication used to reduce pain, fever, or inflammation. It is used for relief of symptoms of arthritis, primary dysmenorrhea, acute gout, menstrual cramps and the common cold, among others. It can be taken by mouth or intravenously. Naproxen may be used with a pain reliever such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, or with a steroid medicine. Naproxen should not be used with aspirin because of an increased risk of bleeding..

Can I Take 2 Naproxen 500mg At The Same Time

No, you should not take 2 naproxen 500mg at the same time. Naproxen belongs to a group of medicines called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. It is meant to treat pain, fever and other symptoms caused by various conditions like arthritis. However, it is not advised to take 2 naproxen 500mg at the same time as it can lead to hundreds of side effects like facial swelling, skin reactions, heartburn, etc. Always follow the instructions of your doctor before taking medicine..

Recommended Reading: How To Relieve Tension Headache Naturally

Before Taking This Medicine

Naproxen may also cause stomach or intestinal bleeding, which can be fatal. These conditions can occur without warning while you are using this medicine, especially in older adults.

You should not use naproxen if you are allergic to it, or if you have ever had an asthma attack or severe allergic reaction after taking aspirin or an NSAID.

Ask a doctor before giving naproxen to a child younger than 12 years old.

Ask a doctor or pharmacist if it is safe for you to use this medicine if you have:

• heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, or if you smoke

• a history of heart attack, stroke, or blood clot

• a history of stomach ulcers or bleeding

• fluid retention: or

• if you take aspirin to prevent heart attack or stroke.

If you are pregnant, you should not take naproxen unless your doctor tells you to. Taking a NSAID during the last 20 weeks of pregnancy can cause serious heart or kidney problems in the unborn baby and possible complications with your pregnancy.

It may not be safe to breastfeed while using naproxen. Ask your doctor about any risk.

Naproxen is not approved for use by anyone younger than 2 years old. Do not give this medicine to a child without medical advice.

Be Sure: Check Your Naproxen Drug Interactions

Be sure to alert your pharmacist and physician of all of the medications you take, so that they can screen for clinically significant drug interactions with naproxen, even if you buy it over-the-counter .

Over 400 drugs are known to interact with naproxen. Naproxen also has several food and alcohol interactions you should take note of and discuss with your pharmacist. You can also review significant disease interactions that may be affected by the use of naproxen, like high blood pressure.

Always check drug interactions with all of your prescription, over-the-counter, and vitamin or herbal products, too.

Also Check: What Causes Headache Behind Eye

Save Money: Naproxen Comes In Generic Options

Naproxen and its salt formulation have been around for a long time. In fact, the FDA approved the first formulations of naproxen sodium in 1980. Thats good news, because formulations of many naproxen and naproxen sodium drugs are now available generically, saving you dollars at the pharmacy.

For example, you can easily use the generic OTC naproxen to get the same pain relief as you would from the more expensive prescription brands. Just be sure to ask your doctor what the equivalent OTC dose would be based on your indication. The OTC products come in a lower strength than many prescription options, so you may need to take a higher OTC dose.

Naproxen is available over-the-counter for relief of menstrual cramps, but generics work just as well and save you money, too. For menstrual cramps, it may be less expensive to use the generic or store brand naproxen sodium than the branded products, so its worth a comparison. Be sure to check the package size, too, to be sure you are getting a good deal.

Learn more: Top 10 Ways to Save Money on Your Medication Costs

When Tylenol Or Advil Fails

If you don’t get headache relief from a dose of Tylenol or an NSAID, you might want to consider a two-tablet dose of Excedrin Extra Strength. This medication contains a combination of drugs, including:

• Acetaminophen

For some people, a combination of pain relievers and caffeine may work better for treating tension-type headaches than a single pain reliever. That said, combined products may cause more side effects, such as stomach upset or dizziness, although these are generally mild and short-lived.

However, remember that Excedrin contains both aspirin and acetaminophen. So, be sure to stay within recommended daily limits, especially if you combine it with other types of medication.

Don’t Miss: Wake Up Every Morning With Headache

Naproxen Has Many Uses In Many Different Age Groups

Naproxen and its sodium salt are used for many different types of pain, and it is an excellent fever reducer, too. Below are just some of the common uses for naproxen:

The safety and effectiveness of naproxen is not known in children less than 2 years of age. The over-the-counter products are only labeled for children 12 years and older.

If deemed appropriate, a doctor can prescribe some formulations for children as young as 2 years of age for:

• juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.

You must first check with your doctor to use any form of naproxen in children under 12 years of age.

Naproxen should be used cautiously and at the lowest possible dose in the elderly, especially those at risk for, or with a history of stomach, heart or intestinal ulcers or bleeding.

What Should I Know About Storage And Disposal Of This Medication

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture .

It is important to keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers are not child-resistant and young children can open them easily. To protect young children from poisoning, always lock safety caps and immediately place the medication in a safe location â one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach.

Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and other people cannot consume them. However, you should not flush this medication down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist or contact your local garbage/recycling department to learn about take-back programs in your community. See the FDA’s Safe Disposal of Medicines website for more information if you do not have access to a take-back program.

Read Also: Medicine For Fever And Headache

How Do I Know If I Need Prescription

Weighing OTC Aleve® vs. prescription naproxen? Over-the-counter NSAIDs like Aleve® arenât as potent as prescription-strength naproxen, so you would have to take more tablets to get the same effect. If youâve given over-the-counter medications a try and found no relief, it might be time to consider trying a prescription pain reliever like naproxen.

Description Of The Intervention

Naproxen is an NSAID first marketed in the mid1970s, with confirmed efficacy in acute , and chronic pain. It is a propionic acid derivative , with analgesic, antiinflammatory, and antipyretic properties. It has been widely used in treating arthritis, menstrual cramps, gout, sprains and strains, and a variety of acute pain conditions. Naproxen and its soluble sodium salt are commonly available as 250 mg and 500 mg tablets . In many parts of the world it remains a prescriptiononly drug, but in others such as the USA, UK, and most parts of Canada, it is available OTC in restricted doses.

OTC medications are less expensive, more accessible, and tend to have favourable safety profiles relative to many prescription treatments, although naproxen causes more serious gastrointestinal adverse events than ibuprofen, for example . Naproxen may be a useful alternative OTC treatment of migraine headache in individuals who do not tolerate or respond to commonly used aspirin and ibuprofen.

You May Like: What Injection Is Given For Migraines

Pregnant Speak With Your Doctor Before Nsaid Use

It is important that you ask your doctor for advice before taking any drug in pregnancy. This applies to NSAIDs, too, even the ones bought over-the-counter.

For mild pain and headaches in pregnant women, most physicians usually recommend acetaminophen .

Use of NSAIDs at 20 weeks gestation or later may cause kidney problems in the baby or low amniotic fluid volume . Naproxen should be avoided in pregnancy because it may cause premature closure of the ductus arteriosus, which can lead to heart failure and death of the fetus. Other problems may occur too.

Why Is This Medication Prescribed

Prescription naproxen is used to relieve pain, tenderness, swelling, and stiffness caused by osteoarthritis , rheumatoid arthritis , juvenile arthritis , and ankylosing spondylitis . Prescription naproxen tablets, extended-release tablets, and suspension are also used to relieve shoulder pain caused by bursitis , tendinitis , gouty arthritis , and pain from other causes, including menstrual pain . 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.

Also Check: Icd 10 For Migraine Headache

When Are Opioids Or Butalbital Useful For Migraines

Your doctor may suggest an opioid if none of the treatments listed above help, or if you have bad side effects.

It is not clear if butalbital should be used at all for treating migraines. If your doctor prescribes butalbital for your migraines, ask why. And ask if there are any other drugs that would work.

What Drugs And Food Should I Avoid While Taking Naproxen And Sumatriptan

Avoid drinking alcohol. It may increase your risk of stomach bleeding.

Avoid taking aspirin or other salicylates such as Nuprin Backache Caplet, Kaopectate, KneeRelief, Pamprin Cramp Formula, Pepto-Bismol, Tricosal, Trilisate, and others.

Avoid driving or hazardous activity until you know how this medicine will affect you. Your reactions could be impaired.

Ask a doctor or pharmacist before using other medicines for pain, fever, swelling, or cold/flu symptoms. They may contain ingredients similar to naproxen .

Read Also: How Does Botox Work For Migraines

Possible Erectile Dysfunction Risk

A 2005 Finnish survey study found an association between long term use of NSAIDs and erectile dysfunction.

A 2011 publication in The Journal of Urology received widespread publicity. According to the study, men who used NSAIDs regularly were at significantly increased risk of erectile dysfunction. A link between NSAID use and erectile dysfunction still existed after controlling for several conditions. However, the study was observational and not controlled, with low original participation rate, potential participation bias, and other uncontrolled factors. The authors warned against drawing any conclusion regarding cause.

Some Drugs Should Rarely Be Used

Migraine attacks can last for hoursor even days. They can cause intense pain, nausea, and vomiting. They can make you sensitive to light or noise, and they can affect your life and work.

To treat migraines, you may get a prescription for an opioid or a barbiturate called butalbital. These are pain medicines. But you should think twice about using these drugs. Heres why:

You May Like: Ophthalmic Migraine Vs Ocular Migraine

Whats Best For Headaches

One of the most effective treatment for headaches is a hot bath with a few drops of lavender essential oil. This natural remedy will help you relax and reduce the pain. Another great way to get rid of headaches is to drink a glass of cold water in the morning. Dehydration is one of the most common causes of headache..

How To Administer Naproxen

Aleve should be taken as prescribed by the doctor only. Taking a higher dose to tackle headaches quickly should not be done as it will lead to severe side effects and create a threat to life.

The medicine can be taken with or without food. One can take it with milk or food to prevent stomach upset. One should not consume alcohol while taking Aleve. It may lead to stomach bleeding. Taking antacids along with Aleve can act as a barrier in the working of Aleve .

Recommended Reading: Does Low Barometric Pressure Cause Headaches

What Other Drugs Will Affect Naproxen

Ask your doctor before using naproxen if you take an antidepressant such as citalopram, escitalopram, fluoxetine , fluvoxamine, paroxetine, sertraline , trazodone, or vilazodone. Taking any of these medicines with an NSAID may cause you to bruise or bleed easily.

Ask a doctor or pharmacist if it is safe for you to use this medicine if you are also using any of the following drugs:

• cholestyramine

• phenytoin or similar seizure medications

• probenecid

Side Effects Of Naproxen

While naproxen can help relieve migraine attacks, it can also cause certain side effects. These may include:

• Smoke cigarettes
• Are allergic to NSAIDs and salicylates

Taking naproxen with these medications may increase the risk of complications. It may also alter the effects of the other medications.

Read Also: How Does Excedrin Migraine Work

Is Naproxen Safe For The Heart

You may have heard that naproxen is safer for the heart compared to other NSAIDs like ibuprofen, diclofenac, meloxicam, or celecoxib however, this is a controversial topic.

The FDA has determined that the available studies are not robust enough and were not designed to determine if one NSAID was safer than any other with respect to heart safety . The FDA has stated that “based on available data, it is unclear whether the risk for cardiovascular thrombotic events is similar for all non-aspirin NSAIDs.”

In addition, when determining the safety of a drug for a patient, risk factors such as age, other medical conditions, other medications and drug interactions, doses needed, and duration of treatment need to be taken into consideration.

Since 2005, labeling laws have required a boxed warning on all NSAIDs alerting of increased cardiovascular risks, like heart attack and stroke. That warning was a result of the withdrawal of the NSAID Vioxx from the market in 2004 because of a notable increased risk of heart attack among Vioxx users. Celebrex , another COX-2 selective NSAID, is still on the U.S. market.

How To Relieve Headaches Without Nsaids

Posted on

When your head is throbbing, its natural to reach for the bottle of Ibuprofen in search of relief. Tension and even migraine headache sufferers often swear by the benefits of NSAIDs, or Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. These medications are designed to ease inflammation and reduce pain, but they can also bring along unwanted and even potentially serious side effects. Recent research has shown that NSAIDs can lead to a small, but real increase in cardiovascular problems, including heart attack and stroke. In people with certain risk factors, they can also cause bleeding, blood pressure, and kidney problems. NSAIDs can also negatively affect your stomach and digestive system.

If your physician has prescribed you NSAIDs, then its important to continue taking them as directed.Your doctor knows your own personal medical history and risk profile. However, if you arent prescribed NSAIDs, there are some alternatives that can often help manage headaches just as well as anti-inflammatories.

Read Also: How To Get Rid Of Migraine During Pregnancy