Is Naproxen a strong painkiller?

When you are experiencing pain, it can be difficult to go through your daily life without a cloud hanging over your head. Fortunately, pain medication can help relieve the pain and let you focus on things important to you once again. There are many types of pain medication, and each is good for various symptoms or conditions. Naproxen is an anti-inflammatory drug which can alleviate inflammation and pain associated with it. It is also used to treat headaches, muscle aches, muscle pain, and cramps. Your doctor may have prescribed Naproxen for you, and you would like to know more about it. Below we answer common questions relating to the strength of Naproxen.

Key Takeaways

Naproxen 500 mg is a strong painkiller:

It is effective for treating chronic pain and inflammation, including conditions like arthritis, muscle aches, and menstrual cramps. It is part of the NSAID group, which reduces both pain and inflammation.

Longer-lasting than Ibuprofen:

Naproxen provides longer relief, typically taken twice daily, making it better for ongoing pain. In comparison, Ibuprofen needs more frequent dosing and is more suited for short-term pain.

Common side effects:

Naproxen can cause stomach irritation, like heartburn or nausea, but taking it with food or milk helps reduce these issues.

Is Naproxen 500 mg a strong painkiller?

Naproxen is good at relieving pain resulting from many chronic health problems, such as arthritis, bursitis, and gout. It is a strong painkiller that reduces inflammation, belonging to the medicine category known as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Naproxen 500 mg would typically be prescribed as a starting dose for joint conditions,, painful periods and muscle and bone disorders (NHS, 2022).

Naproxen Strength FAQs

Is Naproxen stronger than Ibuprofen?

Ibuprofen is more for temporary pain, whereas Naproxen is for pain that results from long term chronic problems. If your doctor has prescribed Naproxen, it is usually because you will likely have to seek pain relief for the long haul. Ibuprofen is a pain medication that is also good at treating localised acute pain, whereas Naproxen is for generalised pain that can affect multiple areas of your body.

Is Naproxen an anti-inflammatory?

Yes, Naproxen is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) which means that it not only targets pain but also inflammation too. When you compare an NSAID drug to an opioid drug, opioids work to just block the signal in the brain that is triggering pain. While it may block pain effectively, it doesn’t actually do anything to help with the source of the pain.

NSAID drugs like Naproxen on the other hand, work to fight inflammation that is causing pain so that it has a dual action approach. This is why NSAID drugs are normally prescribed in the cases of joint disorders (like arthritis) because they work to fight the inflammation of the joints, as well as to relieve the pain that this causes.

Which health conditions is Naproxen's strength useful for?

Here is a list of the ailments Naproxen can be prescribed to treat:

• arthritis

• menstrual cramps

• chronic pain

• ankylosing spondylitis

• rheumatic disease

• tendon inflammation

• gout

• bursitis

• rheumatoid arthritis

• joint damage

• joint inflammatory disease in children and young adults

• fever

• toothache

• muscle pain

• head pain

• Minor Musculoskeletal Injury

• Non-Radiographic Axial Spondyloarthritis

Is Naproxen bad for the kidneys?

Heavy, long term use of pain medication (Ibuprofen, Naproxen, high dose Asprin) can cause chronic kidney disease known as interstitial nephritis. Even if you have normal kidney function, you should only take pain medication as directed by a doctor or as prescribed on the label.

Is Naproxen a muscle relaxer?

While Naproxen can help treat pain associated with muscle spasms, it is not classified as a muscle relaxer. If you are in need of a muscle relaxant, a doctor will typically prescribe Naproxen to address inflammation and pain, and also prescribe a separate muscle relaxant to allow your muscle to relax. Speak with your doctor if you feel you need a prescription for a muscle relaxer medication.

Muscle relaxers are medications used to treat spasms or muscle spasticity. Muscle spasms or cramps are sudden, involuntary contractions of a muscle or group of muscles. They can be caused by too much muscle strain and lead to pain. A muscle's tendency to spasm can be caused by overuse, dehydration, strain or holding a position for too long. Sometimes the reason for spasm is unknown, or due to an underlying medical condition.

Is Naproxen the same as Ibuprofen?

Naproxen acts differently as a pain reliever than Ibuprofen. There are many differences,p particularly because Naproxen is a longer acting drug:

• Ibuprofen is more appropriate for children than Naproxen

• Ibuprofen is short-acting, whereas Naproxen is long-acting and better suited to chronic conditions

• Ibuprofen is generally prescribed every four to six hours. Naproxen is generally prescribed twice daily

• While both medications can cause gastrointestinal side effects, Naproxen is more likely to do so because it is longer acting

• High doses of Ibuprofen (up to 2400mg per day) has been associated with cardiovascular side effects, whereas Naproxen at doses of 1000mg per day does not

Can Naproxen make you sleepy?

Yes, Naproxen can cause drowsiness. You should not drive or use heavy machinery when you first begin taking Naproxen until you can gauge how your body responds and judge that you can function normally.

How long until Naproxen kicks in?

You may be wondering how long it takes for Naproxen to work. According to the NHS, you should start feeling better within an hour of taking the medication. However, it may take up to three days for Naproxen to work properly if you take it regularly, twice per day.

Does Naproxen give you gas?

The most common side effects of naproxen are related to stomach irritation, for instance, a stomach ache, feeling sick, heartburn or indigestion, but these problems can usually be avoided by taking naproxen with food or a drink of milk. Naproxen might also cause constipation, diarrhoea or breaking wind (gas).

Can Naproxen cause you to gain weight?

Gaining weight is not a side effect of Naproxen. Pain killers do not generally cause weight gain. However, if you are experiencing unexpected weight gain, be certain to speak with your doctor.

Is Naproxen dangerous?

Naproxen has potential side effects. Not everyone who takes Naproxen will experience these side effects. Following are the most common:

Common side effects of Naproxen

• stomach pain

• constipation

• diarrhoea

• gas

• heartburn

• nausea and vomiting

• dizziness

More serious side effects

If you experience any of the following side effects from taking Naproxen, be certain to notify your doctor immediately.

• chest pain

• shortness of breath or trouble breathing

• weakness in one part of your body

• difficulty speaking

• swelling of the face or throat

• high blood pressure

• bleeding ulcers

Sources

• NHS - Naproxen

• Castle Craig - Naproxen: Uses & Side Effects

• Drugs.com - Naproxen vs. Ibuprofen: What's the Difference?

• Patient.info - Naproxen Tablets for Pain and Inflammation