How Long Can You Take Aleve For Arthritis

To Protect Your Heart Use Common Over

In July 2015, the FDA repeated a previous warning about the heart hazards of common pain relievers known as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs . These include ibuprofen and naproxen and prescription-only NSAIDs. Should you avoid NSAIDS at all costs?

Not necessarily. NSAIDs have cardiac risks, but are still a valuable tool for pain control for tens of millions of people. “You don’t have to be scared that you can never take an NSAID,” says Dr. Christian Ruff, a cardiologist at Harvard-affiliated Brigham and Women’s Hospital.

However, if you are at high risk of heart problems, discuss NSAID safety with your doctor and try to find alternatives when possible. NSAIDS are not the only way to relieve common muscle aches and pains.

What About Side Effects

Methotrexate can cause mouth ulcers in a few patients, in the beginning of treatment. This should go away with time. Another possible side effect is nausea and vomiting. Methotrexate can also cause hair thinning or hair loss. In rare cases some people may develop lung problems.

Methotrexate can cause mild liver irritation. Please tell your doctor if you have a history of any alcohol abuse, hepatitis, yellow jaundice, or liver disease. While on methotrexate you must limit yourself to 2 alcoholic beverages per week. Blood work will be done every 4-12 weeks to check your liver function. This blood work will also include a complete blood count since methotrexate can also cause a decrease in blood counts. This blood work is very important. It allows the rheumatologist to make timely changes to your dose of methotrexate if there is ever problem.

Methotrexate is known to cause birth defects in the children of both men and women taking this drug. If you are pregnant, considering having a child, or nursing, discuss this with your rheumatologist before beginning this medication. You must use an effective form of birth control while taking methotrexate and for at least 3 months after the methotrexate is stopped. Your rheumatologist or nurse can give you additional guidance.

How Should This Medicine Be Used

Prescription naproxen comes as a regular tablet, a delayed-release tablet, an extended-release tablet, and a suspension to take by mouth. The extended-release tablets are usually taken once a day. The tablets, delayed-release tablets, and suspension are usually taken twice a day for arthritis. The tablets and suspension are usually taken every 8 hours for gout, and every 6 to 8 hours as needed for pain. If you are taking naproxen on a regular basis, you should take it at the same time every day.

Nonprescription naproxen comes as tablet and a gelatin coated tablet to take by mouth. It is usually taken with a full glass of water every 8 to 12 hours as needed. Nonprescription naproxen may be taken with food or milk to prevent nausea.

Follow the directions on the package or prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take naproxen exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor or written on the package.

Shake the liquid well before each use to mix the medication evenly. Use the measuring cup provided to measure each dose of the liquid.

Swallow the delayed-release tablets and extended release tablets whole do not split, chew, or crush them.

If you are taking naproxen to relieve the symptoms of arthritis, your symptoms may begin to improve within 1 week. It may take 2 weeks or longer for you to feel the full benefit of the medication.

Recommended Reading: Does Arthritis Cause Muscle Cramps

Common Questions About Naproxen

Naproxen is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug . It works by reducing hormones that cause inflammation and pain in the body.

Paracetamol is usually the best treatment for most types of pain, but naproxen is better for some types, such as period pain or back pain.

You should start to feel better 1 hour after taking naproxen.

But it might take up to 3 days for naproxen to work properly if you take it regularly twice a day.

Depending on why you’re taking naproxen, you may only need to take it for a short time.

For example, if you have a sore back or period pain, you may only need to take naproxen for 1 or 2 days.

You may need to take it for longer if you have a long-term condition, such as rheumatoid arthritis.

If you need to take naproxen for a long time, your doctor may prescribe a medicine to protect your stomach from side effects.

It’s best to take the lowest dose of naproxen for the shortest time to control your symptoms.

Talk to your doctor if you’re unsure how long you need to take naproxen for.

Naproxen can cause an ulcer in your stomach or gut if you take it for a long time or in big doses.

There’s also a small risk that people taking very big doses for a long time may get heart failure or kidney failure.

It’s best to take the lowest dose that works for the shortest possible time.

If you need to take naproxen very often or you’re taking a big dose, talk to your doctor about your pain.

Naproxen does not work for some types of pain, such as nerve pain.

Can Nsaids Cause Allergic Reactions

Rarely, an NSAID can cause a generalized allergic reaction known as anaphylactic shock. If this happens, it usually occurs soon after the person starts taking the NSAID. The symptoms of this reaction include:

• Swollen eyes, lips or tongue.
• Difficulty swallowing.
• Rapid heart rate.
• Chest pain or tightness.

If any of these symptoms occur, call 9-1-1 or have someone drive you to the nearest emergency room immediately.

Remember, before any medication is prescribed, tell your doctor:

• If you are allergic to any medications, foods or other substances.
• If you currently take any other medications and/or herbal or dietary supplements.
• If you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding.
• If you have problems taking any medications.
• If you have anemia, kidney or liver disease, stomach or peptic ulcers, heart disease, high blood pressure, bleeding or clotting problems, asthma or growth in the nose .

Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 01/25/2020.

References

Recommended Reading: Is Moringa Good For Arthritis

Can Naproxen Cause Problems

Along with their useful effects, most medicines can cause unwanted side-effects although not everyone experiences them. The table below contains some of the most common ones associated with naproxen. You will find a full list in the manufacturer’s information leaflet supplied with your medicine. The unwanted effects often improve as your body adjusts to the new medicine, but speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following continue or become troublesome.

Important: if you experience any of the following less common but more serious symptoms, stop taking naproxen and contact your doctor for advice straightaway:

• If you have any breathing difficulties such as wheeze or breathlessness.
• If you have any signs of an allergic reaction such as swelling around your mouth or face, or a severe itchy skin rash.
• If you pass blood or black stools, vomit blood, or have severe tummy pains.

If you experience any other symptoms which you think may be due to this medicine, speak with your doctor or pharmacist for further advice.

Are There Other Major Side Effects Of Nsaids I Should Know About

NSAIDs can significantly disrupt blood flow to the kidneys, which could impair their ability to function and even lead to kidney failure over time. Youre at higher risk for serious effects if you or your family has a history of kidney problems, or if you have certain health conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure. If your doctor determines that youre at risk of renal impairment or renal failure, NSAIDs may not be recommended.

You can read a more thorough list of NSAID side effects here, but you should talk to your doctor about which issues might be of particular concern for you.

You May Like: Does Rheumatoid Arthritis Make You Feel Sick

Does Acetaminophen Help In Rheumatoid Arthritis

The painkiller acetaminophen only has a weak anti-inflammatory effect. Research has shown that it hardly helps in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, and clearly relieves the pain less effectively than NSAIDs do.

If you take acetaminophen anyway, it’s important to use it correctly. Higher doses can lead to liver and kidney damage. So adults shouldn’t take more than 4 grams per day according to the package insert. This is the amount in, for example, 8 tablets containing 500 milligrams of acetaminophen each. Waiting at least six hours between two doses is also recommended. So two 500 mg tablets of acetaminophen every six hours over one day would be the maximum allowed amount.

What Is The Dosage Of Aleve Vs Celebrex

Aleve dosage

• Naproxen should be given with food to reduce upset stomach.
• usual adult dose for pain is 250 every 6 to 8 hours or 500 mg twice daily using regular naproxen tablets.
• The usual dose for Naprelan controlled release tablets is 750 to 1000 mg given once daily.
• For EC-Naprosyn, the usual dose is 375-500 mg twice daily.
• The dose for rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, or ankylosing spondylitis is 500 to 1000 mg every 12 hours.
• Menstrual cramps are treated with 250 mg every 6 to 8 hours after an initial dose of 500 mg.

Celebrex dosage

• The lowest effective dose should be used for each patient.
• For the management of osteoarthritis, the dose usually is 100 mg twice daily or 200 mg as a single dose.
• For rheumatoid arthritis, the dose usually is 200 mg twice daily.
• For acute pain or menstrual cramps, the dose is 400 mg as a single dose on the first day followed by an additional 200 mg if needed, then 200 mg twice daily as needed.
• For FAP, the recommended dose is 400 mg twice daily.

You May Like: How To Relieve Arthritis Pain In Thumb

What Are Warnings And Precautions For Naproxen

Warnings

Cardiovascular risk

• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may increase risk of serious cardiovascular thrombotic events, myocardial infarction, and stroke, which can be fatal.
• Risk may increase with duration of use.
• Patients with existing cardiovascular disease or risk factors for such disease may be at greater risk.

Gastrointestinal risk

• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs increase risk of serious gastrointestinal adverse events, including bleeding, ulceration, and gastric or intestinal perforation, which can be fatal
• Gastrointestinal adverse events may occur at any time during use and without warning symptoms
• Elderly patients are at greater risk for serious gastrointestinal events

This medication contains naproxen. Do not take Aleve, EC Naprosyn, Anaprox, Anaprox DS, Naprosyn, Naprox Sodium, Naproxen EC, Naproxen SR, Naprelan, or Menstridol if you are allergic to naproxen or any ingredients contained in this drug.

Keep out of reach of children. In case of overdose, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center immediately.

Contraindications

• Hypersensitivity to naproxen or other H2-receptor antagonists.

Contraindications

• Relative: Bleeding disorders, delayed esophageal transit, hepatic disease, peptic ulcer, renal impairment, stomatitis, late pregnancy .

Effects of Drug Abuse

• May cause drowsiness, dizziness, and blurred vision
• See “What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Naproxen?

Long-Term Effects

Cautions

What Drugs Interact With Aleve Vs Celebrex Which Is Safer

Aleve drug interactions

Naproxen is associated with several suspected or probable interactions that affect the action of other drugs. The most common drug interactions include.

Celebrex drug interactions

• Combining Celebrex with aspirin or other NSAIDs may increase the occurrence of stomach and intestinal ulcers. It may be used with low dose aspirin.
• Fluconazole increases the concentration of celecoxib in the body by preventing the elimination of celecoxib in the liver. Therefore, treatment with celecoxib should be initiated at the lowest recommended doses in patients who are taking fluconazole.
• Celecoxib increases the concentration of lithium in the blood by 17% and may promote lithium toxicity. Therefore, lithium therapy should be closely monitored during and after therapy with celecoxib.
• Persons taking the anticoagulant warfarin should have their blood tested when initiating or changing celecoxib treatment, particularly in the first few days, for any changes in the effects of the anticoagulant.
• NSAIDs may reduce the blood pressure-lowering effects of drugs that are given to reduce blood pressure. This may occur because prostaglandins play a role in the regulation of blood pressure.
• Persons who drink more than three alcoholic beverages per day may be at increased risk of developing stomach ulcers when taking NSAIDs, this also may happen with celecoxib.

Recommended Reading: What Kind Of Doctor Do You See For Arthritis

How Long Do Nsaids Take To Work

That depends on the NSAID and the condition being treated. Some NSAIDs may work within a few hours, while others may take a week or two.

Generally, for acute muscle injuries, we recommend NSAIDs that work quickly. However, these may need to be taken as often as every four to six hours because of their short action time.

For osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis that need long-term treatment, doctors usually recommend NSAIDs that are taken only once or twice a day. However, it generally takes longer for these drugs to have a therapeutic effect.

What’s The Risk Of Nsaids

The link between NSAIDs and heart problems is well established. “We’ve always counseled our patientsespecially when they have a history of heart diseasethat these medications can increase their risk,” Dr. Ruff says. The latest FDA warning comes down to several key points:

• All non-aspirin NSAIDs appear to be associated with higher risk of heart problems. The risk is greatest in those with known heart disease or multiple risk factors for it.
• It’s not known for sure yet which, if any, of the various NSAIDs in use are more risky than others. However, in studies to date, naproxen has shown the smallest risk.
• The higher the NSAID dose you take, and the longer you take it, the greater the potential risk.

Don’t Miss: What Doctor Do You See For Psoriatic Arthritis

What Is Naproxen And How Does It Work

Naproxen is used as a treatment to relieve pain from various conditions such as headaches, muscle aches, tendonitis, dental pain, and menstrual cramps. It also reduces pain, swelling, and joint stiffness caused by conditions such as arthritis, bursitis, and gout attacks.

Naproxen belongs to a class of medications called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs NSAIDs. NSAIDs are a type of medications that work by blocking your body’s production of certain natural substances that cause inflammation.

Naproxen is available under the following different brand names: Aleve, ECNaprosyn, Anaprox, Anaprox DS, Naprosyn, Naprox Sodium, Naproxen EC, Naproxen SR, Naprelan, and Menstridol.

Who Has A Higher Risk Of Complications

Stomach ulcers or bleeding are more likely to occur in people who

• are over 65 years old,
• have other serious diseases, especially gastrointestinal conditions like or ulcerative colitis,
• have already had gastritis , a stomach ulcer or stomach bleeding,
• have an infection with Helicobacter pylori ,
• drink a lot of alcohol,
• take blood-thinning heart medicines, for example anticoagulants like warfarin or acetylsalicylic acid,
• take a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor antidepressant,
• take corticosteroids , or
• take several anti-inflammatory painkillers at the same time.

NSAIDs can sometimes be a problem for people who have kidney disease too.

Also Check: How To Keep Arthritis At Bay

What Are Common Side Effects Of Nsaids

You may have side effects if you take large doses of NSAIDs, or if you take them for a long time. Some side effects are mild and go away, while others are more serious and need medical attention. Unless your doctor tells you to do so, don’t take an over-the-counter NSAID with a prescription NSAID, multiple over-the-counter NSAIDs or more than the recommended dose of an NSAID. Doing so could increase your risk of side effects.

The side effects listed below are the most common, but there may be others. Ask your doctor if you have questions about your specific medication.

The most frequently reported side effects of NSAIDs are gastrointestinal symptoms, such as:

• Gas.

• Feeling very tired and weak.

How Do Doctors Determine Who Can Get By With An Otc Nsaid And Who Needs A Prescription One

Because the risk of developing side effects from NSAIDs is dose dependent, your doctor will likely start you on a conservative dose and see how you fare. OTC versions are also cheaper than prescription NSAIDs, so its more cost-effective to try those first.

Whether a patient ultimately needs a prescription-strength NSAID is determined on a case-by-case basis. But because theres very little inflammation involved in OA, those patients typically require lower doses of an NSAID than those with a form of inflammatory disease such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus.

In general, more OA patients may be able to rely on OTC NSAIDs such as Advil and Aleve to manage their pain, while those with inflammatory arthritis may need prescription-strength NSAIDs to get relief, Dr. Bhatt says.

You May Like: How Does Methotrexate Help Rheumatoid Arthritis