Can naprosyn cause constipation?

If you ever wondered why your bowel movements have become as slow as a turtle after taking naprosyn, then you’re not alone. The constipating effect is one of the side effects that come with this nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). But why does it happen? How long does it last? And what can you do about it? We’ll dive into these questions and more in the next section.

Why Does Naprosyn Cause Constipation?

Before we talk about how naprosyn causes constipation, let’s first understand what the drug does. Naproxen sodium, commonly sold under brand names such as Aleve and Anaprox, belongs to a class of drugs called NSAIDs used to relieve pain and reduce inflammation.

What makes naproxen different from other NSAIDs like aspirin or ibuprofen is its long half-life – up to 17 hours in healthy adults – which means it stays longer in your body before being eliminated. While the extended duration may be good news for reducing inflammation^1,2, they also increase its potential side effects including constipation by slowing down digestion^3.

Naproxen works by inhibiting an enzyme called cyclooxygenase (COX), which produces prostaglandins responsible for causing pain and inflammation. Unfortunately, prostaglandins also perform important functions outside of making us hurt physically: they help stimulate muscle contractions along our digestive tract leading to normal bowel movements^4.

By reducing prostaglandin production through COX inhibition^5, naprosyn inadvertently interferes with intestinal motility causing food content to stay longer inside intestines leading to harder stools that are difficult to pass out without straining 6-8

How Sever Is The Problem

Constipation caused by any medication varies between individuals depending on several factors such as age, dose taken, medical history, and coadministered medication^10. However, studies suggest that naprosyn can cause constipation in anywhere between 1-15% of its users11-12.

If you’re taking other medications or supplements that are known to slow down gut motility such as anticholinergics or calcium channel blockers, the risk of developing constipation may be higher^13. The severity also depends on how long you’ve been taking the drug regularly; since naproxen has a half-life of up to 17 hours in healthy adults, it’s possible for the side effect to last for several days even after stopping treatment.

How To Prevent Constipation From Naprosyn

The good news is that there are several ways to reduce constipation caused by naprosyn without having to stop using it altogether3,14. Here are some tips:

Stay Hydrated

Water helps soften stool making them easy

Eat A High Fiber Diet

Fiber adds bulk and softness helping bowel movements more comfortable

Exercise Regularly’

Physical exercise stimulates muscle contractions along your digestive system keeping food moving quickly

Use Stool Softeners’

Stool softeners help keep stools moist t reducing pain and discomfort during bowel movement7,15

It’s important not only take care of physical health but also our mental well-being so if you’re experiencing any medical concern related who should always consult with healthcare professionals.

Conclusion:

Naprosyn is an effective NSAID used for reducing inflammation and pain; however, one side effect is constipation. This happens because they interfere with intestinal motility resulting in harder stools’ difficulty passing out’.

The severity varies depending on individualv factors like coadministered medication dosage or age. It usually lasts for several days after ceasing treatment due to the drug’s extended duration inside the body. Taking steps to stay hydrated, diet rich in fiber or regular exercise and using stool softeners can help reduce constipation while continuing naprosyn use safely.

If you’re experiencing any medical concern always consult with healthcare professionals.

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