Naproxen; Sumatriptan tablets

March 15, 2020

Naproxen; Sumatriptan tablets

What is this medicine?

NAPROXEN; SUMATRIPTAN (na PROS en; soo ma TRIP tan) is used to treat migraines with or without aura. An aura is a strange feeling or visual disturbance that warns you of an attack. This medicine is not used to prevent migraines.

How should I use this medicine?

Take this medicine by mouth with a glass of water. Follow the directions on the prescription label. You can take it with or without food. If it upsets your stomach, take it with food. Do not cut, crush, or chew this medicine. Do not take it more often than directed.

A special MedGuide will be given to you by the pharmacist with each prescription and refill. Be sure to read this information carefully each time.

Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. While this drug may be prescribed for children as young as 12 for selected conditions, precautions do apply.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?

Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:

  • allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue

  • changes in vision

  • chest pain or chest tightness

  • redness, blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin, including inside the mouth

  • signs and symptoms of a blood clot such as changes in vision; chest pain; severe, sudden headache; trouble speaking; sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg

  • signs and symptoms of a dangerous change in heartbeat or heart rhythm like chest pain; dizziness; fast, irregular heartbeat; palpitations; feeling faint or lightheaded; falls; breathing problems

  • signs and symptoms of a stroke like changes in vision; confusion; trouble speaking or understanding; severe headaches; sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg; trouble walking; dizziness; loss of balance or coordination

  • signs and symptoms of bleeding such as bloody or black, tarry stools; red or dark brown urine; spitting up blood or brown material that looks like coffee grounds; red spots on the skin; unusual bruising or bleeding from the eyes, gums, or nose

  • signs and symptoms of liver injury like dark yellow or brown urine; general ill feeling or flu-like symptoms; light-colored stools; loss of appetite; nausea; right upper belly pain; unusually weak or tired; yellowing of the eyes or skin

  • signs and symptoms of serotonin syndrome like irritable; confusion; diarrhea; fast or irregular heartbeat; muscle twitching; stiff muscles; trouble walking; sweating; high fever; seizures; chills; vomiting

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

  • diarrhea

  • dizziness

  • drowsiness

  • dry mouth

  • headache

  • nausea, vomiting

  • pain, tingling, numbness in the hands or feet

  • stomach pain

What may interact with this medicine?

Do not take this medicine with any of the following medicines:

  • certain medicines for migraine headache like almotriptan, eletriptan, frovatriptan, naratriptan, rizatriptan, sumatriptan, zolmitriptan

  • cidofovir

  • ergot alkaloids like dihydroergotamine, ergonovine, ergotamine, methylergonovine

  • ketorolac

  • MAOIs like Carbex, Eldepryl, Marplan, Nardil, and Parnate

This medicine may also interact with the following medications:

  • aspirin

  • certain medicines for blood pressure, heart disease, irregular heart beat

  • certain medicines for depression, anxiety, or psychotic disorders

  • certain medicines that treat or prevent blood clots like warfarin, enoxaparin, dalteparin, apixaban, dabigatran, and rivaroxaban

  • cyclosporine

  • methotrexate

  • NSAIDs, medicines for pain and inflammation, like ibuprofen or naproxen

  • pemetrexed

  • probenecid

What if I miss a dose?

This does not apply. This medicine is not for regular use.

Where should I keep my medicine?

Keep out of the reach of children.

Store at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F). Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.

What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

  • cigarette smoker

  • circulation problems in fingers and toes

  • coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery within the past 2 weeks

  • diabetes

  • drink more than 3 alcohol-containing drinks per day

  • heart disease

  • high blood pressure

  • high cholesterol

  • history of irregular heartbeat

  • history of stomach bleeding

  • history of stroke

  • kidney disease

  • liver disease

  • lung or breathing disease, like asthma

  • stomach or intestine problems

  • an unusual or allergic reaction to naproxen, aspirin, other NSAIDs, sumatriptan, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives

  • pregnant or trying to get pregnant

  • breast-feeding

What should I watch for while using this medicine?

Visit your healthcare provider for regular checks on your progress. Tell your healthcare provider if your symptoms do not start to get better or if they get worse.

This medicine may cause serious skin reactions. They can happen weeks to months after starting the medicine. Contact your healthcare provider right away if you notice fevers or flu-like symptoms with a rash. The rash may be red or purple and then turn into blisters or peeling of the skin. Or, you might notice a red rash with swelling of the face, lips or lymph nodes in your neck or under your arms.

You may get drowsy or dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how this medicine affects you. Do not stand up or sit up quickly, especially if you are an older patient. This reduces the risk of dizzy or fainting spells. Alcohol may interfere with the effect of this medicine. Avoid alcoholic drinks.

Do not take other medicines that contain aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen with this medicine. Side effects such as stomach upset, nausea, or ulcers may be more likely to occur. Many non-prescription medicines contain aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen. Always read labels carefully.

This medicine can cause ulcers and bleeding in the stomach and intestines at any time during treatment. This can happen with no warning and may cause death. Smoking, drinking alcohol, older age, and poor health can also increase risks. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have stomach pain or blood in your vomit or stool.

This medicine does not prevent a heart attack or stroke. This medicine may increase the chance of a heart attack or stroke. The chance may increase the longer you use this medicine or if you have heart disease. If you take aspirin to prevent a heart attack or stroke, talk to your healthcare provider about using this medicine.

This medicine may increase your risk to bruise or bleed. Call your healthcare provider if you notice any unusual bleeding.

Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any change in your eyesight.

Your mouth may get dry. Chewing sugarless gum or sucking hard candy and drinking plenty of water may help. Contact your healthcare provider if the problem does not go away or is severe.

If you take migraine medicines for 10 or more days a month, your migraines may get worse. Keep a diary of headache days and medicine use. Contact your healthcare provider if your migraine attacks occur more frequently.

Updated:  

March 15, 2020