Drug Interactions
When taking Aleve or medication with naproxen in it, it is very important to tell your doctor or pharmacist about any other medication, supplement or drug you take. This includes nutritional supplements, herbs, recreational drugs, coffee and alcohol. These substances can interact with the Aleve and alter the way it works. Your health care provider may change your dosage or suggest a different drug for you to take. Also, talk to your doctor if you plan to start or stop taking any of your medications.
The following is an incomplete list of drugs and other substances that may interact with Aleve. Consult with your doctor if your medication is on this list, or if you take other medication or drugs:
- alcohol
- alendronate, taken to prevent bone loss
- other NSAIDs, including aspirin. If you use aspirin long term, your chances of stomach bleeding are increased.
- other anti-inflammatory drugs (such as ibuprofen or prednisone)
- entecavir, for hepitits-B infections
- cidofovir, taken for eye infections in HIV patients
- entecavir, for hepitits-B infections
- cyclosporine, given to transplant patients
- water pills (diuretics)
- blood pressure medications, such as ACE inhibitors
- blood thinners such as Coumadin, or other medications treat or prevent blood clots
- methotrexate, chemotherapy drug
- pemetrexed, a chemotherapy drug
- herbal products that contain feverfew, garlic, ginger, or ginkgo biloba
- lithium medication such as Eskolith Lithobid
Side Effects
There are a number of possible side effects that may occur from taking Aleve. Some require immediate medical attention; others should be mentioned to your doctor if they persist.
Seek immediate medical attention if you have circulation or heart symptoms including chest pain, weakness, shortness of breath, slurred speech or vision or balance problems. If you have heart or other cardiovascular problems, fluid retention is another sign you need immediate medical attention.
The risk of stomach or intestine problems that may be caused by taking Aleve can be serious, and even fatal. Stomach and GI symptoms that require immediate medical attention include: bleeding in stomach or intestines, black, bloody or tarry stools, or coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds.
If you experience nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, itching, yellowing of your skin or eyes, flu-like symptoms and dark urine, you may have liver damage. Stop taking the medicine and call your doctor immediately.
Allergy also may occur in some individuals, which would take the form of a rash, wheezing, and/or problems breathing or swallowing. Other symptoms that require immediate medical attention include changes in your vision, signs of infection, unexplained weight gain, or a feeling that the tablet is stuck in your throat.
If the following symptoms persist, you should talk to your doctor about them:
- constipation, diarrhea or gas
- sores in the mouth
- you are very thirsty
- headache
- dizzy or lightheaded
- drowsy
- sleeping problems
- burning or tingling in arms or legs
- you feel like you have a cold
- ringing in the ears or other hearing problems.
If you are pregnant or you plan to become pregnant, talk to your doctor before taking Aleve. Taken in the last trimester of pregnancy, it can cause birth defects. Naproxen can pass through breast milk to the nursing child and may do harm. It is not recommended to give Aleve to a child under the age of 2 except as directed by your doctor.
Storing Aleve
Safely store your Aleve by keeping it tightly closed in the container it came in, away from heat and moisture. This means not keeping it in the bathroom. Also, Aleve should be kept at room temperature. Discard it if it is outdated, or you don’t need it anymore. You can ask you pharmacist the best way to do that. Keep Aleve out of the reach of children.
What Have You Learned About Taking Aleve?
Now that you have familiarized yourself on taking Aleve for back pain or neck pain, try testing yourself. Quizzing yourself on the facts about taking pain medication such as Aleve for back pain is a great way to be sure you know your safety and effectiveness information before you go into the drug store.
Sources
Brooks, Cleland, Haski, Hempton, Muller, Hill.Evaluation of a Single Daly Dose Naproxen in Osteoarthritis.. Rheumatology. 1982.
Zochling, J., Bohl-Buhler, MH, Baraliakos, X., Feldtkeller, E., Braun, J. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug use in ankylosing spondylitis – a population-based survey. Coin Rheumatol. Nov.2006.
Wanders, A., Heijde, D., Landewe, R., Behier, JM, Callin, A., Olivieri, I., Zeidler, H., Dougados, M., Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs reduce radiographic progression in patients with ankylosing spondylitis: a randomized clinical trial. Arthritis Rheum. June 2005
Naproxen Drugs A to Z. About.com September 2003.
Naproxen Drugs and Supplements. Medline plus Jan 2006
FDA Alert for Healthcare Providers: Naproxen. FDA website. Dec 2004.
12/04
Naproxen. Patient Information Sheet. FDA website. Dec 2004
Hochadel, M., PhD., ed., The AARP Guide to Pills., Gold Standard Publishers. Tampa, Fl 2006.
