nhs alternatives to naproxen

freezspirit

I take naproxen 250mg twice a day for pain relief however with the pharmacy shortage, the pharmacy that does my pill boxes have moved me over to Ibuprofen 600mg three times a day.

I'm having trouble actually taking the large tablets and the pharmacy reply was to make into smaller pieces or crush and mix into a yogurt. On top of this I'm still in pain and I'm having some side effects.

So after trying Ibuprofen for about 7-10 days. I thought no more and restarted to take 1 naproxen 500mg a day which I had before having my meds in the plastic boxes instead. I am feeling much better.

I've a phone appointment my my g.p on Monday as it looks like the pharmacy changed the meds without the g.p as I went to the surgery to get a print out of my meds only to find all pain relief drugs not on it.

I will discus this with my g.p about continuing with naproxen if I can get a prescription which I can take to another pharmacy. But wanted to know if there are any other alternatives for naproxen that is not ibuprofen?

Nicki

Naproxen and ibuprofen are both OTC drugs so why do you need a prescription? Can you not just pick these up at any chemist?

pattycake

Nicki wrote: »

Naproxen and ibuprofen are both OTC drugs so why do you need a prescription? Can you not just pick these up at any chemist?

Naproxen certainly is not an over the counter medication. I was prescribed it for sciatica. I must admit I didn’t get on with it very well.

Sorry I have no advice for you OP but wish you well.

Cyclizine

Naproxen and ibuprofen are both in the same class of medications called Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs). Ibuprofen is available OTC and costs buttons. Other NSAIDs commonly prescribed in the UK include diclofenac and to a lesser extent indomethacin. In my experience, there's little between these drugs as long as they're in appropriate doses.

There is a shortage of naproxen at the moment, other pharmacies will be struggling to get supplies in too. If they can't manage, then reasonable substitutions are allowed. Hopefully, supplies will be found, however, come March, things are likely to get worse and we'll possibly see more shortages of different drugs.

There are other prescription NSAID drugs that theoretically have fewer side effects (the "coxibs") - although they are in general more expensive and unless you've been having side-effects on the standard ones, your GP may be disinclined to prescribe.

I'd have a chat with your GP and see what you can come up with.

Gers

Nicki wrote: »

Naproxen and ibuprofen are both OTC drugs so why do you need a prescription? Can you not just pick these up at any chemist?

pattycake wrote: »

Naproxen certainly is not an over the counter medication. I was prescribed it for sciatica. I must admit I didn’t get on with it very well.

Sorry I have no advice for you OP but wish you well.

https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/naproxen/

Naproxen is also called by the brand names Naprosyn or Stirlescent. Naproxen tablets you buy to treat period pain are called Feminax Ultra, Period Pain Reliever and Boots Period Pain Relief.

maddiemay

I am prescribed 250mg Naproxen which I use when absolutely essential as directed by rheumatologist, but didn't know about Feminax Ultra (too old to need them for original purpose now:D). It is good to know in case I am way from home or supply difficulty, thank you for the info.

pattycake

Gers wrote: »

https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/naproxen/

I stand corrected. However, I won’t be rushing out to buy them as I said before I found the side effects unpleasant and to be honest not that good in controlling my pain at the time.

Nicki

pattycake wrote: »

Naproxen certainly is not an over the counter medication. I was prescribed it for sciatica. I must admit I didn’t get on with it very well.

Sorry I have no advice for you OP but wish you well.

It didn’t work for me either. I was given it by a nurse at a drop in clinic which is how I knew it was OTC - as I queried at the time whether I’d need my regular GP to give repeat prescriptions. As it didn’t help, that ended up being a redundant query

Gers

pattycake wrote: »

I stand corrected. However, I won’t be rushing out to buy them as I said before I found the side effects unpleasant and to be honest not that good in controlling my pain at the time.

Nicki wrote: »

It didn’t work for me either. I was given it by a nurse at a drop in clinic which is how I knew it was OTC - as I queried at the time whether I’d need my regular GP to give repeat prescriptions. As it didn’t help, that ended up being a redundant query

I was prescribed the slow release variation for night time pain in one of my knees. As with others I soon stopped as they weren't too effective and the side-effects worried me. Now I simply use ibuprofen gel and two paracetamol at night when needed.

freezspirit

To give you an update. GP has agreed to change mine prescription to Naproxen 500mg once a day. If pharmacy can't get them I will try to source them elsewhere.

LadyDee

suki1964 wrote: »

Ive a cupboard full of them if you need some. My GP prescribes them for everything, even though they burn the stomach clean out of me

So why have the prescription made up?