Eproxen 500mg Oral: Uses, Dosage & Effects

Eproxen is a medication used to treat a wide range of conditions, including arthritis, inflammation, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). It is a combination drug which contains two different active ingredient – Naproxen and Esomeprazole. 

Naproxen, which is one of the active ingredients in the medication is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used to relieve pain from various conditions such as headache, dental pain, menstrual cramps, arthritis, or other types of pain. The delayed-release form of naproxen is used to treat osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis in adults. Naproxen is also used to treat tendinitis and bursitis. It works by reducing hormones that cause inflammation and pain in the body.

Esomeprazole, also known by the brand name Nexium, is a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) medication used to treat gastric reflux, heartburn and other gastrointestinal disorders that can be caused by naproxen. PPIs work by reducing the amount of acid produced in the stomach which helps to reduce the risk of ulcers and stomach problems developing in patients who need to take NSAIDs.

Eproxen is a prescription drug that legally requires a medical prescription from a medical practitioner before it can be dispensed. It is not available over-the-counter (OTC).

However, like with all drugs, it is important to understand how these medications work, what the potential side effects are, Interactions and precautions when taking this medication.

In this blog article, we will take an in-depth look at Eproxen 500mg, including its uses, dosage, potential side effects, interactions with other medications, and precautions to take when using this medication.

Whether you’re considering taking this medication yourself or just want to be informed, this article has all the information you need to make an informed decision about your treatment. 

Read on to learn more about Eproxen!

Eproxen: Uses

Eproxen is a prescription medication used to treat a variety of symptoms such as rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis (long-term inflammation disease of the joints). It also decreases the risk of developing stomach bleeding or ulcers for people at risk due to taking NSAIDs. 

Eproxen contains two active ingredient, Naproxen and Esomeprazole. Naproxen works by reducing hormones that cause inflammation and pain in the body while Esomeprazole works by reducing the amount of acid produced in the stomach. If immediate relief of pain is desired, Eproxen (Esomeprazole - Naproxen) should not be used as it works much slower because of a special coating (extended-release) thereby releasing medication over a longer period of time.

Eproxen: Side Effects

Many medications can cause side effects. A side effect is an unwanted response to a medication when it is taken in normal doses. These side effects can be mild or severe, temporary or permanent.

The side effects listed below are not experienced by everyone who takes this medication. If you are concerned about side effects, discuss the risks and benefits of this medication with your doctor.

Common side effects of Eproxen include;

- Dizziness. 

- Nausea. 

- Vomiting. 

- Cough. 

- Drowsiness. 

Other possible side effects include;

- Allergic reactions such as rashes, itching, hives etc. 

- Difficulty breathing or swallowing. 

- Swelling of the face, lips, arms or legs. 

- Blistering, peeling, or reddening of the skin. 

- Burning feeling in the chest or stomach. 

- Indigestion. 

- Loss of appetite. 

Less common but more serious side effects of Eproxen include;

- Kidney damage or failure. 

- Liver damage or failure. 

- Gastrointestinal bleeding. 

- Difficult, burning, or painful urination. 

- Frequent urge to urinate. 

- Easy bruising or bleeding. 

- Symptoms of a low magnesium blood level. 

- Signs of lupus. 

- Unusual tiredness. 

- Unusual or sudden weight gain. 

If you experience any of these side effects seek medical attention immediately.

Although, This isn't a complete list of possible side effects associated with taking Eproxen. If you experience any of these side effects or other side effects not mentioned above while taking Eproxen, be sure to contact your doctor or healthcare provider right away. 

In some cases, these side effects may go away on their own with time. However, if they persist or worsen, it may be necessary to adjust your dose or discontinue Eproxen altogether.

Eproxen: Precautions

- If you are allergic to Naproxen, Esomeprazole, or any other ingredient in this medication, then do not take this medication. Talk to your pharmacist or healthcare provider for more details before using this medication.

- This medication should not be taken if you have a history of asthma, liver disease, stomach/intestinal/esophagus problems (e.g., bleeding, ulcers), recurring heartburn, heart disease (e.g., history of heart attack, high blood pressure, stroke, low sodium blood levels), blood disorders (e.g., anemia, blood clotting disorders), growths in the nose (nasal polyps) and lupus. 

- If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, speak with your doctor before taking eproxen. It is unsure if this medication can harm the unborn baby or passes through breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

- This medication may interact with other medications, so be sure to speak with your doctor about all the medication you're taking including over-the-counter drugs and supplements.

- A common symptoms when using this medication is dizziness. Taking alcohol or marijuana can make you more dizzy. It is important to be careful when driving or operating machinery until you know how the medication affects you. Avoid alcoholic beverages while taking this medication.

- Daily use of alcohol and tobacco, especially when combined with this medication, may increase the risk of stomach bleeding. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist for more details. 

- Using the regular naproxen medication alongside with esomeprazole will not work the same way as taking the combination esomeprazole and naproxen (Eproxen). Do not replace this medication with over-the-counter drugs. 

Eproxen: Interactions

Eproxen may interact with other drugs and may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects, so it is important to tell your doctor about all medications you are taking, including over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, and supplements.

Some drugs that may interact with Eproxen include;

- 5-ASA medications (such as mesalamine, olsalazine, sulfasalazine)

- Acetylsalicylic acid (ASA)

- Alcohol

- Aliskiren

- Alpha-agonists (such as clonidine, methyldopa)

- Amphetamines (such as dextroamphetamine, lisdexamfetamine)

- Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs; captopril, enalapril, ramipril)

- Angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs; such as candesartan, irbesartan, losartan)

- Apalutamide

- Apixaban "azole" antifungal medications (such as itraconazole, ketoconazole, voriconazole)

- Antacids

- Birth control pills

- Beta-adrenergic blockers (such as atenolol, propranolol, sotalol)

- Bisphosphonates (such as alendronate, etidronate, risedronate)

- Bosutinib

- Calcium channel blockers (such as amlodipine, diltiazem, nifedipine, verapamil)

- Capecitabine

- Carbamazepine

- Celecoxib

- Cholestyramine

- Clobazam

- Clopidogrel

- Corticosteroids (such as dexamethasone, hydrocortisone, prednisone)

- Cyclosporine

- Dabigatran

- Deferasirox

- Desmopressin

- Dexmethylphenidate

- Diazepam

- Digoxin

- Dipyridamole

- Diuretics (water pills; such as hydrochlorothiazide, furosemide, triamterene)

- Edoxaban

- Enzalutamide

- Eplerenone

- Glucosamine

- Haloperidol

- Heparin

- Herbal medications that affect blood clotting (such as, garlic, ginger, ginseng, glucosamine)

- HIV protease inhibitors (such as atazanavir, indinavir, nelfinavir, ritonavir, saquinavir)

- Hydralazine

- Ifosfamide

- Imipramine

- Lithium

- Low molecular weight heparins (such as dalteparin, enoxaparin, tinzaparin)

- Lumacaftor and Ivacaftor

- Metformin

- Methotrexate

- Multivitamins/minerals with vitamin A and vitamin E, mycophenolate

- Other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs; such as ibuprofen, diclofenac, ketorolac, naproxen)

- Omega-3 fatty acids

- Obinutuzumab

- Octreotide

- Pasireotide

- Pentoxifylline

- Phenytoin

- Quinolone antibiotics (such as ciprofloxacin, norfloxacin, ofloxacin)

- Riociguat

- Rifampin

- Rilpivirine

- St. John's wort, 

- Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs; such as citalopram, fluoxetine, paroxetine), 

- Serotonin/norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs; such as desvenlafaxine, duloxetine, venlafaxine)

- Sulfonamides (such as sulfamethoxazole), 

- Sulfonylureas (such as glyburide)

- Tenofovir

- Ticagrelor

- Ticlopidine, 

- Tricyclic antidepressants (such as amitriptyline, clomipramine, desipramine, trimipramine), 

- Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (such as bosutinib, dabrafenib, dasatinib, erlotinib, pazopanib), 

- Velpatasvir

- Warfarin. 

This blog section doesn't contain all the possible list of drugs that may interact with Eproxen but be sure to inform your doctor about all the medication you're taking before using Eproxen. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval.

Eproxen: Dosage

The dosage will be different for each individual, and will be based on factors such as weight, age, medical history, and other medications being taken.

It is important to take Eproxen exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not change the dose or stop taking the medication without first talking to your doctor or pharmacist. Doing so could increase your risk of side effects or make the medication less effective.

You should take Eproxen at least 30 minutes before meals. You should swallow the Eproxen tablet whole with a glass of water. Do not split, chew, or crush the medication when taking it. 

Take Eproxen at the same time each day to help maintain a consistent level of the drug in your system. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as possible unless it is close to the time for your next dose. In that case, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular schedule. Do not double up on doses to make up for a missed one.

If you experience any bothersome or severe side effects from taking Eproxen, be sure to contact your doctor or healthcare provider right away.

Eproxen: Storage

When it comes to storage, Eproxen should be stored at room temperature. It should also be stored in a dry place, away from light and moisture. As with any medication, it is important to keep Eproxen out of reach of children and pets.

Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless told to do so. Properly throw away this product when it is expired or no longer needed. If you have any questions about storage or safety, speak with your pharmacist or healthcare provider.

Who Should Not Take This Medication?

- Do not use Eproxen if you are allergic to esomeprazole (Nexium), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn) or any ingredients of this medication 

- If you've ever experienced an allergic response or asthma attack after taking aspirin or another NSAID, avoid taking Eproxen.

- Do not use Eproxen if you have heart disease or risk factors for heart disease such as high blood pressure, diabetes, smoking, being overweight, having high cholesterol, having a family history of heart disease. 

- If you just underwent heart bypass surgery or are about to have heart bypass surgery, avoid using Eproxen.

- You should not take eproxen if you are pregnant or breastfeeding because it is not known whether it will harm an unborn baby or pass into breast milk and cause harm to a nursing baby.

- Do not take this medication if you have severe kidney disease, severe untreated heart failure, severely impaired liver function or active liver disease. 

If you fall into any of these categories, it is important to speak with your doctor or healthcare provider before starting treatment with Eproxen.

Bottom Line

In conclusion, Eproxen Oral is a safe and effective medication for treating many conditions. It is important to remember that each individual's body may respond differently to the drug, so it should be taken as prescribed by a healthcare provider. 

Additionally, it is essential to monitor any potential side effects or interactions with other medications before taking Eproxen Oral. 

With careful consideration of all warnings and precautions, patients can successfully use this medication to treat their condition.