Note: This document contains side effect information about naproxen. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply to the brand name Aleve.
Applies to naproxen: oral conventional and delayed-release tablets, oral extended-release tablets, oral suspension, oral tablets containing delayed-release naproxen and immediate-release esomeprazole, oral tablets containing naproxen sodium and sumatriptan.
Warning
-
Cardiovascular Risk
- Increased risk of serious (sometimes fatal) cardiovascular thrombotic events (e.g., MI, stroke).225 500 502 Risk may occur early in treatment and may increase with duration of use.225 500 502 505 506 (See Cardiovascular Thrombotic Effects under Cautions.)
- Contraindicated in the setting of CABG surgery.225
-
GI Risk
- Increased risk of serious (sometimes fatal) GI events (e.g., bleeding, ulceration, perforation of the stomach or intestine).225 Serious GI events can occur at any time and may not be preceded by warning signs and symptoms.225 Geriatric individuals and patients with a history of peptic ulcer disease and/or GI bleeding are at greater risk for serious GI events.225 (See GI Effects under Cautions.)
Side effects include:
Abdominal pain, dyspepsia, edema, ecchymoses, flu-like syndrome, headache, nausea, rash.
For Healthcare Professionals
Applies to naproxen: compounding powder, oral capsule, oral delayed release tablet, oral suspension, oral tablet, oral tablet extended release, oral and topical kit.
Gastrointestinal
Very common (10% or more): Dyspepsia (14%), heartburn, nausea, constipation
Common (1% to 10%): Diarrhea, abdominal pain
Very rare (less than 0.01%): Pancreatitis
Frequency not reported: Flatulence, gastritis, vomiting, dysphagia, stomatitis, abdomen enlarged, eructation, GI hemorrhage, rectal hemorrhage, aphthous, mouth ulcer, stomach ulcer, cardiospasm, colitis, esophagitis, gastroenteritis, GI disorder, rectal disorder, tooth disorder, melena esophageal ulcer, hematemesis, non-peptic GI ulceration, ulcerative stomatitis, sialadenitis, colitis
Postmarketing reports: Inflammation, bleeding, ulceration, perforation, obstruction, exacerbation of inflammatory bowel disease[Ref]
Hepatic
Rare (less than 0.1%): Hepatitis, jaundice
Frequency not reported: Cholecystitis, cholelithiasis, hepatosplenomegaly, liver function abnormality, SGOT increased, SGPT increased, elevated liver enzymes[Ref]
Nervous system
Very common (10% or more): Headache (15%)
Common (1% to 10%): Drowsiness, dizziness
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Cognitive dysfunction, poor concentration
Very rare (less than 0.01%): Convulsions, stroke
Frequency not reported: Paresthesia, lightheadedness, migraine, syncope, hypertonia, neuralgia, neuritis, amnesia, paralysis[Ref]
Renal
Very rare (less than 0.01%): Glomerular nephritis, interstitial nephritis, nephrotic syndrome, renal papillary necrosis
Frequency not reported: Kidney function abnormality, pyelonephritis, creatinine increased, glucosuria, albuminuria, BUN increased, renal failure, renal disease, kidney pain, nephrosclerosis, kidney failure, kidney calculus, nephropathy[Ref]
Cardiovascular
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Palpitations
Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Vasculitis
Very rare (less than 0.01%): Arterial thrombotic events, myocardial infarction
Frequency not reported: Hypertension, angina pectoris, coronary artery disease, deep thrombophlebitis, vasodilation, vascular anomaly, arrhythmia, bundle branch block, abnormal ECG, right heart failure, hemorrhage, aortic stenosis, tachycardia, congestive heart failure
Postmarketing reports: Cardiac failure[Ref]
Hematologic
Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Hemolytic anemia
Very rare (less than 0.01%): Granulocytopenia, thrombocytopenia, agranulocytosis
Frequency not reported: Anemia, aplastic anemia, leukopenia, bleeding time increased, eosinophilia, abnormal RBC, abnormal WBC, neutropenia, pancytopenia[Ref]
Hypersensitivity
Rare (less than 0.1%): Allergic reaction, anaphylactoid/anaphylaxis reaction, hypersensitivity reaction[Ref]
Dermatologic
Common (1% to 10%): Ecchymosis, rash, skin eruptions, pruritus, purpura
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Urticaria, photosensitivity
Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Alopecia, pseudo-porphyria
Very rare (less than 0.01%): Toxic epidermal necrolysis, erythema multiforme, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, epidermolysis bullosa
Frequency not reported: Angioneurotic edema/angioedema, angiodermatitis, dry skin, sweating, skin ulcer, acne, contact dermatitis, eczema, skin necrosis, subcutaneous nodule, photosensitive dermatitis, porphyria cutaneous tarda, nail disorder, epidermal necrosis, exfoliative dermatoses, bullous dermatoses, lichen planus
Postmarketing reports: Erythema nodosum, fixed drug eruption, pustular reaction, bullous reactions[Ref]
Respiratory
Common (1% to 10%): Pharyngitis, rhinitis, dyspnea
Rare (less than 0.1%): Aggravated asthma, eosinophilic pneumonitis
Frequency not reported: Bronchitis, cough increased, asthma, pulmonary edema, laryngitis, lung disorder, epistaxis, pneumonia, respiratory distress, respiratory disorder, bronchospasm, sore throat[Ref]
Other
Very common (10% or more): Influenza-like syndrome (10%)
Common (1% to 10%): Infection, edema, tinnitus, fatigue
Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Hearing impairment
Very rare (less than 0.01%): Aseptic meningitis
Frequency not reported: Fever, accidental injury, asthenia, chest pain, peripheral edema, hearing disturbances, thirst, abscess, cellulitis, malaise, mucous membrane disorder, periodontal abscess, necrosis, aseptic meningitis, chills, weight increased, otitis media, deafness, ear disorder, herpes simplex, herpes zoster, vertigo, subdural hematoma, exacerbation of Parkinson's disease[Ref]
Metabolic
Rare (less than 0.1%): Hyperkalemia
Frequency not reported: Hyperglycemia, anorexia, hypoglycemia, hypercholesteremia, alkalosis, dehydration, glucose tolerance increase, hyperuricemia, hypokalemia[Ref]
Endocrine
Postmarketing reports: Infertility[Ref]
General
The most frequently reported adverse events were headache, dyspepsia, nausea, constipation, heartburn, abdominal pain, and influenza-like syndrome.[Ref]
Genitourinary
Common (1% to 10%): Urinary tract infection
Very rare (less than 0.01%): Hematuria
Frequency not reported: Cystitis, monilia, pelvic pain, dysmenorrhea, dysuria, nocturia, prostate disorder, urinary incontinence, menorrhagia, menstrual disorders, vaginitis, uterine spasm, urinary retention, urinary frequency, abnormal urine, pyuria, metrorrhagia[Ref]
Musculoskeletal
Common (1% to 10%): Back pain
Rare (less than 0.1%): Myalgia, muscle weakness
Frequency not reported: Leg cramps, arthralgia, joint disorder, tendon disorder, neck rigid/pain, LE syndrome, myasthenia, bone disorder, spontaneous bone fracture, fibrotendinitis, bone pain, spasm, bursitis
Postmarketing reports: Systemic lupus erythematosus[Ref]
Ocular
Common (1% to 10%): Visual disturbances
Frequency not reported: Ptosis, amblyopia, scleritis, cataract, conjunctivitis, keratoconjunctivitis, lacrimation disorder, eye pain, diplopia, retrobulbar optic neuritis
Postmarketing reports: Corneal opacity, papillitis, papilledema[Ref]
Oncologic
Frequency not reported: Carcinoma, breast carcinoma, breast neoplasm, skin neoplasm[Ref]
Psychiatric
Common (1% to 10%): Confusion
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Depression, dream abnormalities, mood alterations
Frequency not reported: Insomnia, anxiety, nervousness, emotional lability, hallucinations[Ref]
