Safety Alert: Naproxen
FDA Requires Additional Labeling for Over-the-Counter Pain Relievers and Fever Reducers
The Food and Drug Administration announced it will require manufacturers of over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers, fever reducers, and cough and cold medications that contain non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as naproxen (the active ingredient in Aleve and other Brands), ibuprofen (the active ingredient in Advil, Motrin and other Brands), and aspirin (Bayer Aspirin and other Brands) to revise their labeling to include warnings about potential safety risks, such as internal bleeding, associated with the use of these popular drugs.
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What does this mean?
Using high doses naproxen and other NSAIDs increases your risk for internal bleeding, including stomach bleeding. People sometimes take more naxproxen than the labeling recommends. Others unknowingly take multiple products containing naproxen, ibuprofen, or aspirin at the same time. The risk for stomach bleeding may be higher in people who use naproxen and who are also taking blood-thinning drugs (anticoagulants such as warfarin), steroids, COX-2 Inhibitors such as celecoxib (Celebrex) or other OTC and prescription NSAIDs like aspirin, diclofenac (Voltaren), etodolac (Lodine), ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin), indomethacin (Indocin), meloxicam (Mobic), nabumetone (Relafen), oxaprozin (Daypro), piroxicam (Feldene), sulindac (Clinoril). Alcohol use can also increase the risk for stomach bleeding with naproxen use.
When using pain relievers, fever reducers, or cough and cold medications, please read the labeling and directions closely so you know what the product contains and how to use the product correctly. The revised labeling will help you better identify which over-the-counter products contain naproxen, ibuprofen, or aspirin. If you are taking other medications that may increase your risk of stomach bleeding, please talk to your doctor or pharmacist before you use OTC pain relievers, fever reducers or cough and cold medication. If you have questions about your risk of side effects from OTC pain relievers, fever reducers or cough and cold medications or other general questions about using these products, please talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
