naproxen and sumatriptan

What is the most important information I should know about naproxen and sumatriptan?

Naproxen can increase your risk of fatal heart attack or stroke. Do not use this medicine just before or after heart bypass surgery (coronary artery bypass graft, or CABG). Naproxen may also cause stomach or intestinal bleeding, which can be fatal.

Do not take naproxen and sumatriptan within 24 hours before or after using another migraine headache medicine.

What is naproxen and sumatriptan?

Naproxen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). Sumatriptan is a migraine headache medicine.

Naproxen and sumatriptan is a combination medicine used to treat migraine headaches. This medicine will only treat a headache that has already begun. It will not prevent headaches or reduce the number of attacks.

Naproxen and sumatriptan should not be used to treat cluster headaches or any headache that causes loss of movement on one side of your body.

Naproxen and sumatriptan may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking naproxen and sumatriptan?

• heart problems, uncontrolled high blood pressure;
• a history of heart attack or stroke (including TIA or "mini-stroke");
• Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome (sudden fast heartbeats) or other heart rhythm disorder;
• blood circulation problems (including poor blood flow to your arms and legs, stomach, intestines, or kidneys);
• a history of asthma or severe allergic reaction after taking aspirin or an NSAID;
• severe liver disease; or
• if you are in late pregnancy.

Naproxen can increase your risk of fatal heart attack or stroke, even if you don't have any risk factors. Do not use this medicine just before or after heart bypass surgery (coronary artery bypass graft, or CABG).

Naproxen may also cause stomach or intestinal bleeding, which can be fatal. These conditions can occur without warning while you are using naproxen and sumatriptan, especially in older adults.

Do not use naproxen and sumatriptan if you have used an MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days. A dangerous drug interaction could occur. MAO inhibitors include isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, tranylcypromine, and others.

• sumatriptan tablets, injection, or nasal spray;
• almotriptan, eletriptan, frovatriptan, naratriptan, rizatriptan, or zolmitriptan; or
• ergot medicine such as ergotamine, dihydroergotamine, or methylergonovine.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• heart problems or a stroke (in you or a family member);
• high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, or if you smoke;
• asthma;
• epilepsy or other seizure disorder; or
• liver or kidney disease.

If you are pregnant, you should not take naproxen unless your doctor tells you to. Taking an NSAID during the last 20 weeks of pregnancy can cause serious heart or kidney problems in the unborn baby and possible complications with your pregnancy.

How should I take naproxen and sumatriptan?

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides. Use the lowest dose that is effective in treating your condition. Overuse of migraine headache medicine can actually make your headaches worse.

Take 1 tablet as soon as you notice headache symptoms, or after an attack has already begun. You may take the medicine with or without food.

If your headache does not go away, call your doctor before taking a second tablet. If your headache does not completely go away, or goes away and comes back, take a second tablet 2 hours after the first.

If you are 12 to 17 years old: Do not take a second tablet without first asking your doctor.

You should not use this medicine to treat more than 5 headaches in 30 days (or more than 2 headaches in 30 days if you are 12 to 17 years old).

What happens if I miss a dose?

Since naproxen and sumatriptan is taken only when needed, it does not have a daily dosing schedule. Do not take more than 2 tablets in 24 hours.

What happens if I overdose?

What should I avoid while taking naproxen and sumatriptan?

Avoid taking aspirin or other salicylates such as Nuprin Backache Caplet, Kaopectate, KneeRelief, Pamprin Cramp Formula, Pepto-Bismol, Tricosal, Trilisate, and others.

Ask a doctor or pharmacist before using other medicines for pain, fever, swelling, or cold/flu symptoms. They may contain ingredients similar to naproxen (such as aspirin, ibuprofen, or ketoprofen).

What are the possible side effects of naproxen and sumatriptan?

• numbness, tingling, pale or blue-colored appearance in your fingers or toes;
• leg cramps, burning, coldness, or heavy feeling in your feet or legs;
• severe headache, blurred vision, pounding in your neck or ears;
• a seizure;
• heart problems --swelling, rapid weight gain, feeling short of breath;
• high levels of serotonin in the body --agitation, hallucinations, fever, sweating, shivering, fast heart rate, muscle stiffness, twitching, loss of coordination, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea;
• kidney problems --little or no urination, swelling in your feet or ankles, feeling tired or short of breath;
• liver problems --loss of appetite, stomach pain (upper right side), tiredness, itching, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
• low red blood cells (anemia) --pale skin, unusual tiredness, feeling light-headed or short of breath;
• signs of stomach bleeding --bloody or tarry stools, coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds; or
• stomach problems --sudden severe stomach pain (especially after eating), vomiting, constipation, bloody diarrhea, weight loss.

Common side effects may include:

• dizziness, drowsiness, feeling weak or tired;
• irregular heartbeats;
• numbness or tingling in your fingers or toes;
• dry mouth, heartburn, nausea;
• feeling hot; or
• tight muscles, pain or pressure in your chest or throat.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect naproxen and sumatriptan?

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially:

• cyclosporine;
• lithium;
• methotrexate;
• heart or blood pressure medication, including a diuretic or "water pill";
• a blood thinner --warfarin, Coumadin, Jantoven; or
• steroid medicine --prednisone, dexamethasone, and others.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may affect naproxen and sumatriptan, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist can provide more information about naproxen and sumatriptan.