NAPROXEN/ESOMEPRAZOLE - ORAL

NAPROXEN/ESOMEPRAZOLE - ORAL

PHONETIC PRONUNCIATION: (na-PROX-en/ES-oh-MEP-ra-zole)

COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Vimovo

GENERIC NAME(S): naproxen/esomeprazole magnesium

Uses

USES: This medication is used to treat the signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis when there is a high risk for stomach bleeding/ulcer. This product contains 2 medications: esomeprazole and naproxen. This product should not be used to relieve sudden pain. The naproxen starts to work slower than other naproxen products because of a special coating (delayed-release). If you are treating a chronic condition such as arthritis, ask your doctor about non-drug treatments and/or using other medications to treat your pain. See also Warning section. Naproxen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). It reduces pain, swelling, and joint stiffness. Naproxen can cause stomach ulcers, especially in patients with a history of stomach ulcers. Esomeprazole is a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) that blocks acid production in the stomach. This combination provides the benefits of naproxen and may reduce the risk of ulcers or bleeding that can occur with naproxen use.


How to use NAPROXEN/ESOMEPRAZOLE - ORAL

HOW TO USE: Read the Medication Guide provided by your pharmacist before you start using this medication and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions regarding the information, consult your doctor or pharmacist. Take this medication by mouth as directed by your doctor, usually twice daily (in the morning and evening) at least 30 minutes before a meal. Take it with a full glass (8 ounces or 240 milliliters) of water unless your doctor directs you otherwise. Do not lie down for at least 10 minutes after taking this drug. Swallow the tablet whole. Do not break, chew, crush or dissolve the tablet. Doing so can destroy the slow release of the drug and may increase side effects. If needed, you can take antacids while using this medication. The dosage is based on your medical condition and response to treatment. In children, the dosage is also based on weight. To reduce your risk of stomach bleeding and other side effects, take this medication at the lowest effective dose for the shortest possible time. Do not increase your dose, take it more frequently, or take it for longer than prescribed. Use this medication regularly in order to get the most benefit from it. Remember to use it at the same times each day. It may take up to 2 weeks of taking this drug until you get the full benefit. Tell your doctor if your condition persists or worsens. The risk of side effects goes up over time. Ask your doctor how long you should take this medication.

Side Effects

SIDE EFFECTS: See also Warning section. Upset stomach, heartburn, diarrhea, drowsiness, or dizziness may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly. Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects. This medication may raise your blood pressure. Check your blood pressure regularly and tell your doctor if the results are high. Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side effects, including: easy bruising/bleeding, lightheadedness/fainting, signs of a lung infection (such as fever, cough, trouble breathing), difficult/painful swallowing, symptoms of a low magnesium blood level (such as unusually fast/slow/irregular heartbeat, persistent muscle spasms, seizures), hearing changes (such as ringing in the ears), signs of lupus (such as rash on nose and cheeks, new or worsening joint pain), symptoms of heart failure (such as swelling ankles/feet, unusual tiredness, unusual/sudden weight gain). This drug may rarely cause serious (possibly fatal) liver disease. Stop taking this medication and get medical help right away if you have any symptoms of liver damage, including: persistent nausea/vomiting, dark urine, yellowing eyes/skin. This medication may rarely cause a severe intestinal condition (Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea) due to a type of bacteria. Do not use anti-diarrhea or opioid medications if you have any of the following symptoms because these products may make them worse. Tell your doctor right away if you develop: persistent diarrhea, abdominal or stomach pain/cramping, fever, blood/mucus in your stool. Rarely, proton pump inhibitors (such as esomeprazole) have caused vitamin B-12 deficiency. The risk is increased if they are taken every day for a long time (3 years or longer). Tell your doctor right away if you develop symptoms of vitamin B-12 deficiency (such as unusual weakness, sore tongue, or numbness/tingling of the hands/feet). A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash/blisters, unexplained fever, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing, signs of kidney problems (such as change in the amount of urine). This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist. In the US - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at www.fda.gov/medwatch. In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.

Precautions

PRECAUTIONS: Before taking naproxen/esomeprazole, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to either of them; or to aspirin or other NSAIDs (such as ibuprofen, celecoxib); or to other proton-pump inhibitors such as omeprazole, pantoprazole; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details. Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: asthma (including a history of worsening breathing after taking aspirin or other NSAIDs), liver disease, stomach/intestinal/esophagus problems (such as bleeding, ulcers, recurring heartburn), heart disease (such as history of heart attack), high blood pressure, stroke, swelling (edema, fluid retention), low sodium blood levels, blood disorders (such as anemia), bleeding or clotting problems, growths in the nose (nasal polyps), lupus. Kidney problems can sometimes occur with the use of NSAID medications, including naproxen. Problems are more likely to occur if you are dehydrated, have heart failure or kidney disease, are an older adult, or if you take certain medications (see also Drug Interactions section). Drink plenty of fluids as directed by your doctor to prevent dehydration and tell your doctor right away if you have a change in the amount of urine. This drug may make you dizzy or drowsy. Alcohol or marijuana can make you more dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs alertness until you can do it safely. Limit alcoholic beverages. Talk to your doctor if you are using marijuana. This medication may cause stomach bleeding. Daily use of alcohol and tobacco, especially when combined with this medicine, may increase the risk of stomach bleeding. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more information. Proton pump inhibitors (such as esomeprazole) may increase your risk for bone fractures, especially with longer use, higher doses, and in older adults. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about ways to prevent bone loss/fracture, such as by taking calcium (such as calcium citrate) and vitamin D supplements. Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products). Older adults may be more sensitive to the effects of this drug, especially stomach bleeding and kidney problems. Before using this medication, women of childbearing age should talk with their doctor(s) about the benefits and risks (such as miscarriage, trouble getting pregnant). Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or if you plan to become pregnant. During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed. It is not recommended for use during the first and last trimesters of pregnancy due to possible harm to the unborn baby and interference with normal labor/delivery. Naproxen passes into breast milk. It is unknown if esomeprazole passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Interactions

DRUG INTERACTIONS: Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval. Some products that may interact with this drug include: aliskiren, ACE inhibitors (such as captopril, lisinopril), angiotensin II receptor blockers (such as valsartan, losartan), corticosteroids (such as prednisone), lithium, methotrexate (especially high-dose treatment), rifampin, St John's wort, "water pills" (diuretics such as furosemide). This medication may increase the risk of bleeding when taken with other drugs that also may cause bleeding. Examples include anti-platelet drugs such as clopidogrel, "blood thinners" such as dabigatran/enoxaparin/warfarin, among others. Some products need stomach acid so that the body can absorb them properly. Esomeprazole decreases stomach acid, so it may change how well these products work. Some affected products include atazanavir, erlotinib, nelfinavir, pazopanib, rilpivirine, certain azole antifungals (itraconazole, ketoconazole, posaconazole), among others. Do not take other products containing naproxen or proton pump inhibitors such as omeprazole. Check all prescription and nonprescription medicine labels carefully since many medications contain pain relievers/fever reducers (aspirin, NSAIDs such as celecoxib or ibuprofen). These drugs are similar to the naproxen in this product and may increase your risk of side effects if taken together. However, if your doctor has directed you to take low-dose aspirin to prevent heart attack or stroke (usually at dosages of 81-325 milligrams a day), you should continue taking the aspirin unless your doctor instructs you otherwise. Daily use of naproxen may decrease aspirin's ability to prevent heart attack/stroke. Talk to your doctor about using a different medication (such as acetaminophen) to treat pain/fever. If you must take naproxen, talk to your doctor about possibly taking immediate-release aspirin (not enteric-coated/EC) and then taking your naproxen at a different time after your aspirin. Do not increase your daily dose of aspirin or change the way you take aspirin/other medications without your doctor's approval. This product may interfere with certain laboratory tests, possibly causing false test results. Make sure laboratory personnel and all your doctors know you use this product.

Overdose

OVERDOSE: If someone has overdosed and has serious symptoms such as passing out or trouble breathing, call 911. Otherwise, call a poison control center right away. US residents can call their local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center. Symptoms of overdose may include: severe stomach pain, coffee ground-like vomit, trouble breathing, extreme drowsiness, loss of consciousness, seizures.

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VIMOVO DR 500-20 MG TABLET

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VIMOVO DR 375-20 MG TABLET

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Faq for NAPROXEN/ESOMEPRAZOLE - ORAL

Naproxen/Esomeprazole is a combination medication used to relieve symptoms of osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis. It helps reduce pain, inflammation, and swelling in the joints.

Naproxen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that works by reducing the production of certain substances in the body that cause pain and inflammation. Esomeprazole is a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) that reduces stomach acid production, helping to protect the stomach from irritation caused by the NSAID.

Common side effects of Naproxen/Esomeprazole include upset stomach, diarrhea, nausea, headache, dizziness, and constipation. If you experience any severe or persistent side effects, contact your doctor.

It is important to inform your doctor about all the medications you are taking, including prescription, over-the-counter, and herbal supplements. Some medications may interact with Naproxen/Esomeprazole, potentially affecting its effectiveness or increasing the risk of side effects.

Naproxen/Esomeprazole is usually taken once daily, with or without food. It should be swallowed whole and should not be crushed, chewed, or dissolved. Follow the dosage and instructions provided by your doctor or read the medication guide for specific guidelines.

Naproxen/Esomeprazole should be avoided during pregnancy, especially in the third trimester, as it may harm the unborn baby. It is not recommended during breastfeeding as small amounts of the medication may pass into breast milk.

The onset of action may vary from person to person, but typically it takes a few hours for Naproxen/Esomeprazole to start providing pain relief. However, it may take several weeks of regular use for maximum benefits to be achieved.

Alcohol should be avoided or limited while taking Naproxen/Esomeprazole, as it can increase the risk of stomach bleeding and irritation. It is best to consult with your doctor about alcohol consumption while on this medication.

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is close to the time for your next scheduled dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to make up for a missed one.


Warning

WARNING: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (including naproxen) may rarely increase the risk for a heart attack or stroke. This effect can happen at any time while taking this drug but is more likely if you take it for a long time. The risk may be greater if you have heart disease or increased risk for heart disease (for example, due to smoking, family history of heart disease, or conditions such as high blood pressure or diabetes). Do not take this drug right before or after heart bypass surgery (CABG). Also, this drug may rarely cause serious (rarely fatal) bleeding from the stomach or intestines. This can occur without warning symptoms and at any time during treatment. The risk of bleeding is greater in older adults. Esomeprazole decreases the risk of bleeding. Stop taking this medication and get medical help right away if you notice any of the following rare but very serious side effects: chest/jaw/left arm pain, severe dizziness, weakness on one side of the body, vision changes, slurred speech, black stools, persistent stomach/abdominal pain, vomit that looks like coffee grounds. (See also Precautions section.) Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about the risks and benefits of treatment with this medication.


Disclaimer

IMPORTANT: HOW TO USE THIS INFORMATION: This is a summary and does NOT have all possible information about this product. This information does not assure that this product is safe, effective, or appropriate for you. This information is not individual medical advice and does not substitute for the advice of your health care professional. Always ask your health care professional for complete information about this product and your specific health needs.