Esomeprazole and Naproxen

What is Esomeprazole and Naproxen?

Naproxen belongs to the non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Esomeprazole is a proton-pump inhibitor.The combination of esomeprazole and naproxen treats symptoms associated with osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis. Esomeprazole, which is in esomeprazole and naproxen, helps to reduce stomach ulcers for people taking NSAIDs.This medication guide does not list all possible uses for naproxen and esomeprazole.

Side effects of Esomeprazole and Naproxen

If you experience symptoms of an allergy (hives or other allergic reactions) or severe skin reactions (fever or skin irritation, sore eyes or skin, blistered and peeling skin, or burning eyelids), seek emergency medical attention.If you experience any of these symptoms of a heart attack or stroke, stop taking the medicine immediately and seek emergency medical attention.

Esomeprazole or naproxen can cause severe side effects. If you experience:

• Severe abdominal pain, diarrhea, watery or bleeding;
• Bloody or tarry stool; vomiting blood or vomit that looks like coffee ground;
• Heart issues: swelling, rapid weight gain and shortness of breath.
• Kidney problems: fever, nausea, loss of appetite, and pain in the joints. You may also notice that you are urinating more than normal or have blood in your urine.
  Jaundice, dark urine, or loss of appetite are all symptoms of liver disease.
• Low magnesium intake can lead to dizziness, fast or irregular heart rates, tremors (shaking or jerking movements in muscles), feeling jittery and experiencing cramped hands and feet with muscle spasms; also symptoms include cough or choking feeling and muscle cramps/ spasms in hands/feet/groin; these could indicate low magnesium.
• Low red blood cells (anemia)—pale or unusually tired skin; feeling of being light-headed, short-of-breath; cold hands and feet
• New or worsening symptoms are joint pain and an inflammatory rash that is worse in the sun.

Long-term use of esomeprazole or naproxen can cause stomach polyps, also known as fundic glands. Speak to your doctor about the risk.

You could become deficient in vitamin B-12 if you take esomeprazole or naproxen for longer than three years. If you experience this problem, talk to your doctor to find out how best to treat it.

Some of the common side effects associated with esomeprazole or naproxen include:

• Stomach discomfort;

There may be other side effects. For medical advice on side effects, call your doctor.Report side effects by calling the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Warnings

You can be at risk for a fatal stroke or heart attack if you take naproxen. Esomeprazole or naproxen should not be taken before or immediately after heart bypass surgery. Naproxen can also lead to stomach and intestinal bleeding. This is fatal.Esomeprazole may cause kidney damage. If you notice that you're urinating more or less often than normal or have any blood in your urine, tell your doctor.Diarrhea can be an indication of a new virus. If you experience diarrhea with blood or water, call your doctor.Esomeprazole can cause new symptoms or worsen existing lupus. You should tell your doctor about joint pain or a rash that gets worse in the sun.It is possible that you are more likely to break a bone if you take this medication long-term or more often than once a day.

Before you take this drug

Even if there are no risk factors, Naproxen may increase the risk of a fatal stroke or heart attack. This medicine should not be used before or immediately after a heart bypass (coronary arterial bypass graft, or CABG).Naproxen can also cause fatal stomach or intestinal bleeding. You may not be aware of these conditions if you use naproxen. This holds especially true for elderly individuals.

This medicine should not be used if the following conditions apply:

• You are allergic to lansoprazole and other medicines such as nexium, prevacid, protonix, dexilant, and rabeprazole.lansoprazole omeprazole pantoprazole rabeprazole
• You had severe allergies, breathing issues, or kidney or liver problems after using this medication in the past.
• You have experienced an asthma episode or severe allergy reaction after taking aspirin.
• You also take hiv medicines that contain rilpivirine.

If you've ever:

• Hypertension and heart diseases.
• Asthma;
• Crohn’s disease. Ulcerative colitis. Inflammatory bowel disease
• After taking an nsaid, stomach or intestinal bleeding may occur.
• Liver or kidney disease
• Low levels of magnesium are found in the blood.
• If you smoke cigarettes or consume alcohol, and wish to quit these habits, this information may help.

Discuss with your doctor how to maintain healthy bones.Do not take an NSAID if you are pregnant unless you have been told to by your doctor. NSAIDs can lead to serious kidney or heart problems for the baby, as well as pregnancy complications.Breastfeeding may be unsafe while taking this medication.Consult with your physician regarding potential risks.Anyone younger than 12 or who weighs less than 38 kg (84 pounds) is not allowed to use Esomeprazole or naproxen.

How to take Esomeprazole and Naproxen?

Read all the instructions or guides that come with your medication and follow all the directions. Follow the directions on your prescription label.The medicine should be taken at least 30 minutes prior to eating. The lowest effective dose for your condition is the one you should use.Do not chew or crush the tablet.Esomeprazole can interfere with certain medical tests. Inform any doctor that treats you about your use of esomeprazole or naproxen.Keep away from heat, moisture, and light.

Details on dosage

Adult dose for ankylosing spondylitis:

Two tablets (esomeprazole-naproxen-375mg or esomeprazole-naproxen-500mg) taken orally, twice daily
Comments:
Not interchangeable with naproxen or esomeprazole Magnesium.
Uses: To relieve the symptoms and signs of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, as well as ankylosing spondylitis. Also to reduce the chance of gastric ulcers developing in those at high risk for developing NSAID-associated gastric ulcers.

Adult dose for osteoarthritis:

Two tablets (esomeprazole-naproxen-375mg or esomeprazole-naproxen-500mg) taken orally, twice daily
Comments:
Not interchangeable with naproxen or esomeprazole Magnesium.
Usages: To relieve the symptoms and signs of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid spondylitis, as well as to reduce the likelihood of gastric ulcers developing in those patients who are at high risk for developing nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)-associated gastric ulcers.

Adult dose for rheumatoid arthritis:

Two tablets (esomeprazole-naproxen-375mg or esomeprazole-naproxen-500mg) taken orally, twice daily
Comments:
Not interchangeable with naproxen or esomeprazole Magnesium.
Usages: To relieve the symptoms and signs of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid spondylitis, as well as to reduce the likelihood of gastric ulcers developing in those patients who are at high risk for developing NSAID-associated gastric ulcers.

The usual pediatric dose for juvenile idiopathic arthritis is:

Twelve years of age or older
At least 38 kg to less than 50 kg: Take one tablet of esomeprazole (20 mg/naproxen) twice daily.
Orally, twice daily: More than 50 kg: one tablet of esomeprazole (20 mg/naproxen), 375mg or 500 mg, or two tablets (esomeprazole-20 mg/naproxen).
Comments:
Not interchangeable with naproxen or esomeprazole Magnesium.
Use: To relieve the symptoms and signs of juvenile idiopathic arthritis and to reduce the likelihood of gastric ulcers developing in those patients who are at high risk for developing NSAID-associated gastric ulcers.

What happens if I miss the dose?

If you are almost due for the next dose, skip the missed one. Never take more than one dose at a time.

What happens if I overdose?

Call 1-800-222-1222 for poison help or seek immediate medical attention.The symptoms of an overdose may include severe weakness or nausea.

Avoid this

Esomeprazole or naproxen may cause diarrhea. This could be an indication of a fresh infection. Call your doctor if you experience diarrhea that's watery or bleeding.Alcohol is harmful to your health. Alcohol can increase the risk of bleeding in your stomach.Combining esomeprazole with naproxen will have a different effect than taking the combination of esomeprazole and naproxen. (Vimovo). This medicine should not be substituted with products available over the counter.You should consult your doctor before taking any other medications for symptoms such as pain, fever, or swelling. These medicines may have ingredients that are similar to naproxen, such as aspirin or ibuprofen.

Interaction with other drug

If you are taking an antidepressant, ask your doctor if esomeprazole or naproxen is right for you. Certain antidepressants may make you bruise easily.

Inform your doctor of all the medications you are taking. Esomeprazole, naproxen, and other drugs may interact with each other.

• Clopidogrel;
• Digoxin;
• Methotrexate;
• Rifampin;
• John's wort;
• A blood thinner, such as warfarin( coumadin or jantoven);
• A diuretic, or "water pills."
• Heart or blood pressure medications;
• Steroid medicine such as prednisone or methylprednisolone.

The list above is not exhaustive, and other medications may also interact with esomeprazole or naproxen. The list includes over-the-counter and prescription drugs, vitamins, and herbal products. This list does not include all possible drug interactions.