Naproxen is a
propionic acid derivative with
analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity which has been widely used in the treatment of
rheumatic diseases.
Naproxen has been well studied in
rheumatoid arthritis and is as effective as
aspirin but better tolerated, thus enabling more patients to continue with treatment. For this reason some clinicians now prefer to try
propionic acid derivatives, such as
naproxen, before
aspirin in arthritic patients. In comparative studies with other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as
indomethacin,
ibuprofen,
fenoprofen and others, all drugs were usually of similar overall efficacy although
naproxen was sometimes preferred: but as with other
non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents, not all patients will respond to
naproxen and in such cases other agents should also be tried until the most satisfactory
drug is found for each patient.
Naproxen is also effective in degenerative
joint diseases of the hip and knee, although further well designed studies are needed to more clearly define its relative place compared with newer drugs such as
diclofenac or
diflunisal. Results of other comparative studies have shown that
naproxen is a suitable alternative to
phenylbutazone or
indomethacin in
ankylosing spondylitis and to
aspirin in
juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.
Naproxen appears to be effective in reducing
pain and swelling in acute
gout and is an effective
analgesic in patients with
pain following surgery or
trauma and in
pain of dysmenorrhoea.
Naproxen has generally been better tolerated than
aspirin or
indomethacin at the dosages used. Because of its relatively long plasma half-life,
naproxen can with convenieice be given twice daily, and there is some evidence that once daily dosage is as effective in
rheumatoid arthritis.