Aleve : Drug Information
What is Aleve?
Aleve is the brand name of a drug called Naproxen; it is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). Doctors prescribe this medication to treat pain, menstrual pain, inflammatory diseases such as fever, rheumatoid arthritis, and other health issues determined by them. Aleve is also beneficial for dental pain, headache, pain in joints, and other muscular problems. It works by blocking the production of a particular natural substance in the body that causes inflammation. It is available in oral form. One can avail of this medication over the counter and with a proper prescription from a doctor.
Important Information
- Long term use of this medicine increases the chance of heart attack or heart stroke.
- Please don’t use Aleve just before or after heart bypass surgery.
- Seek medical help if you experience pain in the chest, slurry speech, problem in vision, or other health problem which bother you so much.
- Doctors should not recommend Aleve to children below two years of age.
- It may also cause stomach or intestinal bleeding, and it can be fatal.
What to know before taking Aleve?
You should avoid taking this medication if you are allergic to it or any of its components or if you have:
- Severe asthma attack
- Allergic reaction to aspirin or an NSAID
To ensure that Aleve is safe for you, you should tell your doctor if you have or ever had the following medical issues:
- Heart disease
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol level
- Diabetes
- heart attack, stroke, or blood clot
- History of stomach ulcer or bleeding
- Asthma
- Liver infections
- Kidney disease
- Fluid retention
- Habit of smoking
Expecting women and lactating mothers should consult their doctor before using this medication.
How to take Aleve?
Take Aleve precisely as prescribed by the doctor. You must follow all the directions and instructions given on the prescription label and medication guide. Please don’t take it more often than recommended and try to be consistent throughout the treatment. Consult your doctor if you are not feeling any improvement in your condition. Your doctor will adjust your dose according to your health condition.
Keep Aleve tablets out of the children’s reach and store it at room temperature away from heat and moisture. After completion of treatment, ask your pharmacist regarding the disposal of leftover medication.
Aleve dosage
The dosage of Aleve prescribed by the doctor is dependent on several factors, such as :
- The age and weight of the patient
- Symptoms
- The seriousness of the condition
- Other medical issues that the patient is having
- Other medications that the patient is using
- How the patient reacted to the first dose of the medication
The doctor may prescribe the dosage of Aleve according to the different medical conditions of the patient.
Dosage for rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis
- For older adults
The kidney of older adults may not function properly, resulting in a slow drug process in our body. As a result, a high amount of Aleve stays in the body for an extended period, resulting in significant risk.
After the full checkup, the doctor should suggest dosage for the patient above 65 years of age. They may increase or decrease the dose to get the desired result.
- For adults
Immediate-release tablets
500 mg to 1000 mg of Aleve tablets, twice a day; Your doctor may adjust your dose if he thinks appropriate. However, the maximum quantity of medicine should not exceed 1500 mg per day.
Delayed-release tablets
375 mg to 500 mg, twice a day; Your doctor may adjust your dose if he thinks appropriate. However, the maximum quantity of medicine should not exceed 1500 mg per day.
- For children
The doctor should never recommend oxycodone immediate-release tablets to a patient below 18 years of age.
Dosage for juvenile arthritis
- For children (between 2 to 17 years)
The dosage of Aleve for patients between 2 to 17 years is dependent on their weight.
- For children (below two years of age)
The doctor should never recommend oxycodone immediate-release tablets to a patient below two years of age.
Dosage for tendonitis, bursitis, and menstrual pain
- For older adults
The kidney of older adults may not function properly, resulting in a slow drug process in our body. As a result, a high amount of Aleve stays in the body for an extended period, resulting in significant risk.
After the full checkup, the doctor should suggest dosage for the patient above 65 years of age. They may increase or decrease the dose to get the desired result.
- For adults
Immediate-release tablets
Starting with 500 mg then following up with 250 mg after every 6 to 8 hours. However, the additional dose should not exceed 1000 mg.
Delayed-release tablets
1000 mg, once a day; your doctor may increase your dose upto 1500 mg if required.
- For children
The doctor should never recommend oxycodone immediate-release tablets to a patient below 18 years of age.
Dosage for gout pain and inflammation
- For older adults
The kidney of older adults may not function properly, resulting in a slow drug process in our body. As a result, a high amount of Aleve stays in the body for an extended period, resulting in significant risk.
After the full checkup, the doctor should suggest dosage for the patient above 65 years of age. They may increase or decrease the dose to get the desired result.
- For adults
Immediate-release tablets
Starting with 750 mg, then following up with 250 mg after every 8 hours, till the situation improves.
Delayed-release tablets
Start dose of 1000 mg to 1500 mg, then follow up with 1000 mg for once, until the situation improves.
- For children
The doctor should never recommend oxycodone immediate-release tablets to a patient below 18 years of age.
Overdose
There are no specific Aleve overdose symptoms, but if you ever feel uneasy while taking this medication, you can consult your doctor and seek a medical assistant. You can also call the poison helpline number at 1-800-222-1222.
What to avoid while using Aleve?
Avoid alcohol; it may increase the risk of bleeding in the stomach. Do consult your doctor before taking any antacid while you are on this medication. Consult your doctor before using any other medicines for pain, arthritis, fever, or swelling.
Aleve side effects
Some of the common side effects of using Aleve are as follows:
- Indigestion
- Heartburn
- Pain in stomach
- Nausea or vomiting
- Headache
- Dizziness or drowsiness
- Bruising
- Itching or rashes
- Swelling
- Ringing in the years
It is obvious to experience mild side effect symptoms, but if these symptoms bother you so much and are unbearable, you should consult your doctor and ask for medical help. You can stop taking medication and tell your doctor if you face the following problems while taking Aleve:
- Shortage of breath
- Swelling in the body
- Rapid weight gain
- Rashes on the skin
- Symptoms of bleeding in the stomach such as bloody or tarry stools, coughing up with the blood, etc
- Liver disease- loss of appetite, jaundice, dark-colored urine, vomiting or nausea, etc
- Kidney disease such as problem in urination, swelling in ankles or feet, etc
- Anemia
- Severe skin reaction such as swelling on the face or tongue, redness or rashes on the skin, purple spots on the skin
- Allergic reaction to the medicine
- Symptoms of heart attack or stroke
You should also report to your doctor from time to time if you experience any new symptoms or your symptoms are getting even worse.
What drugs can interact with Aleve?
If your doctor is treating you with Aleve, he must be knowing all the possible interactions with other medications. It is your responsibility to tell the doctor about all the over the counter medicines you take or taken in the past few days. Some of the following medications which can interact with Aleve are:
- Cholestyramine
- Cyclosporine
- Digoxin
- Lithium
- Methotrexate
- Pemetrexed
- Phenytoin or similar medicines
- Probenecid
- Warfarin
- Water pills
- Heart medication
- Medicines for blood pressure
- Insulin and other diabetes medicines
- Anti-depressants