This medication is used to treat the signs and symptoms
of rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, and
ankylosing spondylitis when there is a high risk for stomach
bleeding/ulcer. This product contains 2 medications: esomeprazole and
naproxen. This product should not be used to relieve sudden pain. The
naproxen starts to work slower than other naproxen products because of a
special coating (delayed-release).
If you are treating a chronic condition such as
arthritis, ask your doctor about non-drug treatments and/or using other
medications to treat your pain. See also Warning section.
Naproxen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug
(NSAID). It reduces pain, swelling, and joint stiffness. Naproxen can cause
stomach ulcers, especially in patients with a history of stomach ulcers.
Esomeprazole is a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) that blocks acid production
in the stomach. This combination provides the benefits of naproxen and may
reduce the risk of ulcers or bleeding that can occur with naproxen
use.
Read the Medication Guide provided by your pharmacist
before you start using this medication and each time you get a refill. If
you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Take this medication by mouth as directed by your
doctor, usually twice daily (in the morning and evening) at least 30
minutes before a meal. Take it with a full glass (8 ounces or 240
milliliters) of water unless your doctor directs you otherwise. Do not lie
down for at least 10 minutes after taking this drug. Swallow the tablet
whole. Do not break, chew, crush or dissolve the tablet. Doing so can
destroy the slow release of the drug and may increase side effects. If
needed, you can take antacids while using this medication.
The dosage is based on your medical condition and
response to treatment. Children's dosage is also based on weight. To reduce
your risk of stomach bleeding and other side effects, take this medication
at the lowest effective dose for the shortest possible time. Do not
increase your dose, take it more often, or take it for longer than
prescribed.
Use this medication regularly in order to get the most
benefit from it. Remember to use it at the same times each day. It may take
up to 2 weeks of taking this drug until you get the full
benefit.
Tell your doctor if your condition lasts or gets worse.
The risk of side effects goes up over time. Ask your doctor how long you
should take this medication.
See also Warning section.
Upset stomach, heartburn, diarrhea, drowsiness, or
dizziness may occur. If any of these effects last or get worse, notify your
doctor or pharmacist promptly.
Remember that this medication has been prescribed
because your doctor has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the
risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious
side effects.
This medication may raise your blood pressure. Check
your blood pressure regularly and tell your doctor if the results are
high.
Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side
effects, including:
- easy bruising/bleeding
- lightheadedness/fainting
- signs of a lung infection (such as fever, cough, trouble
breathing)
- difficult/painful swallowing
- symptoms of a low magnesium blood level (such as muscle
spasms, irregular heartbeat, seizures)
- hearing changes (such as ringing in the ears)
- signs of lupus (such as rash on nose and cheeks, new or
worsening joint pain)
- symptoms of heart failure (such as swelling ankles/feet,
unusual tiredness, unusual/sudden weight gain)
- signs of kidney problems (such as change in the amount of
urine, pink/bloody urine)
This drug may rarely cause serious (possibly fatal)
liver disease. Stop taking this medication and get medical help right away
if you have any symptoms of liver damage, including:
- nausea/vomiting that doesn't stop
- dark urine
- yellowing eyes/skin
This medication may rarely cause a severe intestinal
condition due to a bacteria called C. difficile. This condition may occur
during treatment or weeks to months after treatment has stopped. Tell your
doctor right away if you develop:
- diarrhea that doesn't stop
- abdominal or stomach pain/cramping
- blood/mucus in your stool
If you have these symptoms, do not use anti-diarrhea or
opioid products because they may make symptoms worse.
Rarely, proton pump inhibitors (such as esomeprazole)
have caused vitamin B-12 deficiency. The risk is increased if they are
taken every day for a long time (3 years or longer). Tell your doctor right
away if you develop symptoms of vitamin B-12 deficiency (such as unusual
weakness, sore tongue, or numbness/tingling of the
hands/feet).
A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare.
However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a
serious allergic reaction, including:
- fever
- swollen lymph nodes
- rash/blisters
- itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat)
- severe dizziness
- trouble breathing
This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If
you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or
pharmacist.
In the US - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.
You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at
www.fda.gov/medwatch.
In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about
side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at
1-866-234-2345.
See also Warning section.
Before taking naproxen/esomeprazole, tell your doctor or
pharmacist if you are allergic to either of them; or to aspirin or other
NSAIDs (such as ibuprofen, celecoxib); or to other proton-pump inhibitors
such as omeprazole, pantoprazole; or if you have any other allergies. This
product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic
reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more
details.
Before using this medication, tell your doctor or
pharmacist your medical history, especially of:
- asthma (including a history of worsening breathing after
taking aspirin or other NSAIDs)
- liver disease
- stomach/intestinal/esophagus problems (such as bleeding,
ulcers, recurring heartburn)
- heart disease (such as history of heart attack)
- high blood pressure
- stroke
- swelling (edema, fluid retention)
- low sodium blood levels
- blood disorders (such as anemia)
- bleeding or clotting problems
- growths in the nose (nasal polyps)
- lupus
Kidney problems can sometimes occur with the use of
NSAID medications, including naproxen. Problems are more likely to occur if
you are dehydrated, have heart failure or kidney disease, are an older
adult, or if you take certain medications (see also Drug Interactions
section). Drink plenty of fluids as directed by your doctor to prevent
dehydration and tell your doctor right away if you have a change in the
amount of urine.
This drug may make you dizzy or drowsy. Alcohol or
marijuana (cannabis) can make you more dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive, use
machinery, or do anything that needs alertness until you can do it safely.
Limit alcoholic beverages. Talk to your doctor if you are using marijuana
(cannabis).
This medication may cause stomach bleeding. Daily use of
alcohol and tobacco, especially when combined with this medicine, may
increase the risk of stomach bleeding. Consult your doctor or pharmacist
for more information.
This medication may make you more sensitive to the sun.
Limit your time in the sun. Avoid tanning booths and sunlamps. Use
sunscreen and wear protective clothing when outdoors. Tell your doctor
right away if you get sunburned or have skin
blisters/redness.
Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about
all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription
drugs, and herbal products).
Proton pump inhibitors (such as esomeprazole) may
increase your risk for bone fractures, especially with longer use, higher
doses, and in older adults. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about ways
to prevent bone loss/fracture, such as by taking calcium (such as calcium
citrate) and vitamin D supplements.
Older adults may be at greater risk for bone loss and
fractures (see above), stomach/intestinal bleeding, kidney problems, heart
attack, stroke, and C. difficile infection while using this drug (see Side
Effects section).
Before using this medication, women of childbearing age
should talk with their doctor(s) about the benefits and risks. Tell your
doctor if you are pregnant or if you plan to become pregnant. This
medication may harm an unborn baby and cause problems with normal
labor/delivery. It is not recommended for use in pregnancy from 20 weeks
until delivery. If your doctor decides that you need to use this medication
between 20 and 30 weeks of pregnancy, you should use the lowest effective
dose for the shortest possible time. You should not use this medication
after 30 weeks of pregnancy.
Naproxen passes into breast milk. It is unknown if
esomeprazole passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before
breastfeeding.
Drug interactions may change how your medications work
or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not
contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you
use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and
share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the
dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval.
Some products that may interact with this drug
include:
- aliskiren
- ACE inhibitors (such as captopril, lisinopril)
- angiotensin II receptor blockers (such as valsartan,
losartan)
- corticosteroids (such as prednisone)
- lithium
- mavacamten
- methotrexate (especially high-dose treatment)
- rifampin
- St John's wort
- "water pills" (diuretics such as furosemide)
This medication may increase the risk of bleeding when
taken with other drugs that also may cause bleeding. Examples include
anti-platelet drugs such as clopidogrel, "blood thinners" such as
dabigatran/enoxaparin/warfarin, among others.
Some products need stomach acid so that the body can
absorb them properly. Esomeprazole decreases stomach acid, so it may change
how well these products work. Some affected products include atazanavir,
erlotinib, levoketoconazole, nelfinavir, pazopanib, rilpivirine,
sparsentan, certain azole antifungals (itraconazole, ketoconazole,
posaconazole), among others.
Check all prescription and nonprescription medicine
labels carefully since many medications contain pain relievers/fever
reducers (aspirin, NSAIDs such as celecoxib, ibuprofen, or ketorolac).
These drugs are similar to naproxen and may increase your risk of side
effects if taken together. However, if your doctor has told you to take
low-dose aspirin to prevent heart attack or stroke (usually 81-162
milligrams a day), you should keep taking the aspirin unless your doctor
tells you not to. Daily use of naproxen may decrease aspirin's ability to
prevent heart attack/stroke. Talk with your doctor about the risks and
benefits. Ask about other medications that can be used to treat
pain/fever.
This medication may interfere with certain lab tests,
possibly causing false test results. Make sure lab personnel and all your
doctors know you use this drug.
If someone has overdosed and has serious symptoms such
as passing out or trouble breathing, call 911. Otherwise, call a poison
control center right away. US residents can call 1-800-222-1222. Canada
residents can call 1-844-764-7669. Symptoms of overdose may include: severe
stomach pain, coffee ground-like vomit, trouble breathing, extreme
drowsiness, loss of consciousness, seizures.
Do not share this medication with others.
Lab and/or medical tests (such as blood pressure,
complete blood count, liver/kidney function) should be done while you are
taking this medication. If you are taking this medication regularly for a
long time, magnesium and vitamin B-12 levels may also be checked. Keep all
medical and lab appointments. Consult your doctor for more
details.
If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember. If
it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose. Use your next
dose at the regular time. Do not double the dose to catch
up.
Store at room temperature away from light and moisture.
Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medications away from children and
pets.
Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them
into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when
it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste
disposal company.