Aleve

Naproxen

Drug Class and Mechanism of Action of Aleve

Aleve belongs to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Other members of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs include ibuprofen (Brufen), indomethacin (Indocin), diclofenac, paracetamol and several others. These drugs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) are used for the management of mild to moderate pain, fever, and inflammation. They act by reducing the levels of prostaglandins (chemicals that are responsible for pain, fever and inflammation). Aleve blocks the enzyme cyclooxygenase which makes prostaglandins, resulting in lower concentrations of prostaglandins and as a result, inflammation, pain and fever are reduced. Aleve was approved by the FDA in December, 1991.

Therapeutic Uses of Aleve

Aleve is used for the treatment of mild to moderate pain, inflammation and fever. It is used for treatment of diseases which are mainly due to inflammation like arthritis.

Direction of use of Aleve

Aleve should be taken as per direction of your doctor or exactly as directed on the label. Do not crush, chew, or break an extended-release or enteric-coated tablet. Swallow the pill as a whole. Breaking the pill may cause too much of the drug to be released at one time (which may cause side effects and also will last for shorter period of time than desired). The enteric-coated pill has a special coating to protect your stomach and breaking the pill will damage this coating. Shake the oral suspension (liquid) well just before you measure a dose for use. To make sure that you get the correct dose, measure the liquid with a marked measuring spoon or medicine cup or with the measuring cap which is provided with the medication and not with a regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, you should collect one from your pharmacist. If you take Aleve for a long period of time, your doctor may want to check you on a regular basis to make sure this medication is not causing harmful effects. Do not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor. Do not use Aleve in larger quantity, or use it for longer than recommended period.

If You Miss a Dose of Aleve

Generally Aleve is taken as needed; you may not be on a dosing schedule and you will not miss it. If you are taking Aleve regularly and miss a dose of it, you should take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the missed dose at your next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

How to Store Aleve

Aleve should be stored at room temperature. Store it away from heat, moisture and light in a tightly closed light resistant container. Do not store Aleve in your bathroom and keep it out of reach of children.

More Information About Aleve

There are no adequate studies of Aleve in pregnant women. Therefore, Aleve should not be taken during pregnancy and breast feeding. If your symptoms do not improve you should consult your doctor.

Precautions to be Taken While Taking Aleve

Do not use any other over the counter (OTC) medicines for cold, allergy, or pain without first asking your doctor or pharmacist or other health care provider. Many of the over the counter medicines may contain aspirin or other medicines similar to Aleve (such as ibuprofen). If you take certain products together you may accidentally take too much of this class of medication, which may lead to severe toxicity. You should always read the label of any medicine you are using to see if it contains non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like aspirin, ibuprofen, ketoprofen etc.

Do not drink alcohol while you are taking Aleve as alcohol can increase the risk of stomach bleeding caused by Aleve. Aleve may increase the sensitivity of the skin to sunlight and you should avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight. You may use a sunscreen and wear protective clothing when exposure to the sun is unavoidable.

Possible Adverse Effects of Aleve

The most common and mild side effects of Aleve are skin rash, ringing in the ears (known as tinnitus), nausea, headache, dizziness, drowsiness, abdominal pain, diarrhea, constipation, heartburn, fluid retention and shortness of breath.
Aleve may cause stomach and intestinal bleeding and ulcers (this is serious side effect and can occur if Aleve is not taken as per direction of your doctor). Sometimes, stomach ulceration and intestinal bleeding can occur without any abdominal pain. Black tarry stools (due to occult blood in stool), weakness, and dizziness upon standing may be the only signs of the bleeding.
If you are allergic to other NSAIDs, you should not use Aleve also.

Illness

pain

Comments

13:26 09/03/10 hi there. I used aleve medication for a long time and purchased it at this store. I have no claims to the store. As well I have never experienced aleve allergic reaction that occures quite often. However I'm going to change the medication I use according to my doctor's advice. thus I've a question what is the difference between aleve and ibuprofen?
14:45 01/03/10 Hi, do you deliver medications? Particularly I'm interested in aleve to be delivered in texas. And furthermore, ny dog ate aleve by chance. Is aleve harmful to dogs? Are there any aleve drug test results? Please, feedback this message.
14:44 20/02/10 Hello, I'm taking aleve pain tablets and think they are not quite efficient, at least in my case. So I'm going to change it, those here is the first question - what is the difference between aleve and ibuprofen? The second one - do aleve liquid gels work faster?
12:06 15/02/10 hi, there. I used aleve for a quite long period of time and had no aleve stomach problems which are sometimes called as side effects of the aleve. But recently I've known about advil medication. Thus I'd like to know which is better advil or aleve?
09:46 08/02/10 Hi, everyone! I've there is aleve gel caps. But what is the difference between gel and aleve pain tablets? Do aleve lliquid gels work faster?
13:04 02/02/10 Hello, I use aleve pain medication for a long period and every time I order it at this store. Still, I've got a quaetion. Does aleve contain aspirin? And what are the aleve overdose symptomes?
02:18 28/01/10 hi, is it true that there are certain allergic reactions of aleve? Particularly I heard about potential danger of aleve alcohol combination.
14:14 20/01/10 Hello, I ordered aleve generic several times at this store and each time I got my order right in time. Still I'm interested is aleve better than advil or not? And are there any tylenol and aleve ineractions?
12:57 17/01/10 Hi everybody. I ordered aleve for fever at this store and got my order quite soon. By the way I'd like to ask ai there any difference between aleve and ibuprofen?
13:46 12/01/10 hi there. I heard aleve is quite good for fevers. But is it possible to use aleve during pregnancy? If not then may be there are any aleve generics?