Naproxen

The Basics

What is Naproxen?

Naproxen is used to relieve pain from various conditions such as headache, muscle aches, tendonitis, dental pain, and menstrual cramps. It also reduces pain, swelling, and joint stiffness caused by arthritis, bursitis, and gout attacks. This medication is known as a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID).

Brand names for Naproxen

Aflaxen, Aleve, Aleve Arthritis, Anaprox, Anaprox Ds, Ec Naprosyn, Naprelan, Naprelan 500 Naprelan Dose Card Naprosyn

How Naproxen is classified

Analgesic Agents, Nonsteroidal Antiinflammatory Agents

Naproxen During Pregnancy

Naproxen pregnancy category

Category CNote that the FDA has deprecated the use of pregnancy categories, so for some medications, this information isn’t available. We still think it’s useful to list historical info, however, given what a common proxy this has been in the past.

What we know about taking Naproxen while pregnant

Use of NSAIDs during the third trimester of pregnancy increases the risk of premature closure of the fetal ductus arteriosus. Avoid use of NSAIDs, including NAPRELAN, in pregnant women starting at 30 weeks of gestation (third trimester). There are no adequate and well-controlled studies of NAPRELAN in pregnant women. Data from observational studies regarding potential embryofetal risks of NSAID use in women in the first or second trimesters of pregnancy are inconclusive. In the general U.S. population, all clinically recognized pregnancies, regardless of drug exposure, have a background rate of 2 to 4% for major malformations, and 15 to 20% for pregnancy loss. In animal reproduction studies in rats, rabbit, and mice no evidence of teratogenicity or fetal harm when naproxen was administered during the period of organogenesis at doses 0.13, 0.26, and 0.6 times the maximum recommended human daily dose of 1,500 mg/day, respectively. Based on animal data, prostaglandins have been shown to have an important role in endometrial vascular permeability, blastocyst implantation, and decidualization. In animal studies, administration of prostaglandin synthesis inhibitors such as naproxen sodium resulted in increased pre-and post-implantation loss.

Taking Naproxen While Breastfeeding

What are recommendations for lactation if you're taking Naproxen?

Limited information on naproxen and breastfeeding indicates that levels of naproxen in breastmilk are low and adverse effects in breastfed infants are apparently uncommon. However, because of naproxen’s long half-life and reported serious adverse reaction in a breastfed neonate, other agents may be preferred while nursing a newborn or preterm infant.

Maternal / infant drug levels

Limited information on naproxen and breastfeeding indicates that levels of naproxen in breastmilk are low and adverse effects in breastfed infants are apparently uncommon. However, because of naproxen’s long half-life and reported serious adverse reaction in a breastfed neonate, other agents may be preferred while nursing a newborn or preterm infant.

Possible effects of Naproxen on milk supply

A randomized study compared naproxen and tramadol for post-cesarean section pain. Patients received the drugs either on a fixed schedule or as needed. No difference in breastfeeding rates were seen among the groups.[5]

Possible alternatives to Naproxen

Acetaminophen, Flurbiprofen, Ibuprofen, Indomethacin, Piroxicam.