Pain affects everyone at some point in their lives…
Whether it’s a headache after a long day at work or a sore ankle after a run. However, the pain might occasionally be so severe that you wonder if you can take more than one form of pain management medication, for example, can I take naproxen and paracetamol together?
How does paracetamol work?
Analgesics (painkillers) such as paracetamol 500mg tablets are used to treat headaches, toothaches, back pain, period pain, fever, and cold or flu symptoms.
Paracetamol works by preventing chemical messengers in the brain from letting us know that we are in pain. It also helps reduce fever by impacting the chemical messengers in the brain region that regulates body temperature.
It can take up to an hour for paracetamol to take effect, and adults are usually advised by their doctors to take one or two 500mg pills up to four times per day. Paracetamol comes in a variety of forms, including soluble tablets and capsules.[1])
How does naproxen work?
Naproxen 250mg tablets contain a drug called Naproxen. Naproxen pills are a type of NSAID (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug) that can help with pain, swelling, redness, and inflammation.
They are used to treat period discomfort, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and gout, among other joint ailments.
This medication works by preventing the synthesis of certain natural compounds that induce inflammation in your body, and it comes in the form of tablets or a liquid that you drink.[2]
Can I take naproxen and paracetamol together?
Can I take Naproxen and paracetamol together? And is it safe? Although both medicines can help with pain, only Naproxen works to reduce inflammation. Paracetamol has no anti-inflammatory effects and is not a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication (NSAID).
You can combine as many pain relievers as you like as long as they’re from different categories. Additionally, paracetamol is a unique medicine and the only one in its class because it is unlikely to interact with anything.
Naproxen is a long-acting pain reliever because it takes a while to work yet provides long-term comfort. It’s for this reason that it’s frequently prescribed for chronic illnesses like arthritis and back pain.
If you have one of these conditions, you may be taking Naproxen as directed by your doctor. However, if you are experiencing severe discomfort, such as a headache, you may require a fast-acting analgesic such as paracetamol.
Are there any side effects to taking paracetamol and naproxen?
Naproxen and paracetamol, like all drugs, can induce side effects. However, they are rare.
Common side effects of Naproxen
- Ringing in ears
- Headaches
- Rashes
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
Serious side effects of Naproxen
- Anaemia- Chest pain, fainting, or breathlessness
- Stomach ulcer- Severe Indigestion, nausea, diarrhoea, vomiting, stomach pain or heartburn, etc
- Aseptic meningitis- Neck stiffness, headache, high temperature or confusion etc
- Kidney damage or infection- decrease in the amount of urine while urinating or passing blood during urination
- Jaundice or inflamed liver- Whites of eyes turning yellow or yellow skin
If you develop any of the following side effects, contact your doctor right away or call 999.
Naproxen is not normally advised to be taken while nursing. Ibuprofen and other anti-inflammatory drugs are safer alternatives. Please note that it’s possible to have a severe allergic reaction to naproxen in rare situations.
Side effects of paracetamol
- Allergic reaction- rash or swelling
- Blood disorders- Thrombocytopenia (low number of platelet cells) and leukopenia (low number of white blood cells)
- When paracetamol is injected into a vein in your arm, it can cause flushing, low blood pressure, and a rapid heartbeat
- If you take too much (overdose), you risk liver and kidney damage, which can be fatal in severe situations
Can I order paracetamol and naproxen online?
You can buy paracetamol and naproxen from e-Surgery online now.
The POM (Prescription Only Medication) label on the paracetamol 500mg Caplet 100 pack indicates that it requires a prescription. The cost of the drug and a private prescription are included in the fee charged by e-Surgery online.
If you have any queries regarding a medication you’re taking and still wondering, can I take Naproxen and Paracetamol together? Visit a medical expert like a pharmacist.
Before starting a new medicine, patients should always check with their doctor to see if there are any potential drug interactions.
Even if it’s okay to take specific medicines together, be sure you follow the dosage directions for each one and don’t take more (or less frequently) than the label suggests.
If you have any side effects while taking pain relievers, you should seek medical advice.
Sources
1. Paracetamol for adults: painkiller to treat aches, pains and fever (NHS)
2. Naproxen: medicine to relieve pain and swelling (NHS)
3. Paracetamol – Tests & treatments (NHS)
Further Reading
1. Additive effect of combining naproxen and paracetamol in rheumatoid arthritis (PubMed)
2. Can I take naproxen & paracetamol together (Druggist)
3. Can I Take Naproxen with Paracetamol? (Medical Prices)
