Patient leaflet - Naprosyn Period Pain Relief 250 mg gastro-resistant tablets
1. What Naprosyn Period Pain
Relief is and what it is used for Naprosyn Period Pain Relief contains a medicine called naproxen. This is a ‘Non Steroidal Anti Inflammatory Drug’ (NSAID).
Naprosyn Period Pain Relief is used to treat period pain (also called menstrual pain or dysmenorrhoea) in women aged 16 to 50 years old.
Period pain is usually felt as painful muscle cramps in the lower tummy, which can sometimes spread to the back and thighs. Sometimes the pain comes in intense spasms, while at other times the pain may be dull but more constant.
2. What you need to know before you take Naprosyn Period Pain Relief
Only take this medicine for period pain and if you are between 16 and 50 years old.
Do not take Naprosyn Period Pain Relief if you:
- are allergic (hypersensitive) to naproxen, naproxen sodium or any of the other ingredients of Naprosyn Period Pain Relief (listed in section 6)
- are allergic to aspirin, or other NSAIDs, like ibuprofen, or you have ever had asthma (wheezing), runny nose, and nasal polyps (lumps in your nose), swelling of the skin or rash when taking these medicines
- have or have ever had stomach or duodenal (gut) ulcers, bleeding in the stomach or intestines (gastrointestinal bleeding)
- have previously experienced bleeding or perforation in your stomach while taking NSAIDs
- are taking other NSAID painkillers like ibuprofen, or aspirin with a daily dose above 75 mg (see section 2 'Other medicines and Naprosyn Period Pain Relief')
are taking any medicines which could increase the risk of bleeding, such as oral corticosteroids, anticoagulants such as warfarin, selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), or anti-platelet agents such as aspirin (see section 2 ‘Other medicines and Naprosyn Period Pain Relief’)
- have a severe kidney, liver or heart condition
- are in the last three months of pregnancy
- have used naproxen before and not experienced relief of your symptoms.
Do not take Naprosyn Period Pain Relief if any of the above apply to you. If you are not sure, talk to your pharmacist or doctor before taking Naprosyn Period Pain Relief.
Warnings and precautions
Medicines such as naproxen may be associated with a small increased risk of heart attack or stroke. Any risk is more likely with high doses and prolonged treatment. Do not exceed the recommended dose or duration of use.
If you have heart problems, previous stroke or think that you might be at risk of these conditions (for example if you have high blood pressure, diabetes or high cholesterol or are a smoker) you should discuss your treatment with your doctor or pharmacist. Talk to your pharmacist or doctor before taking Naprosyn Period Pain Relief if you:
- have asthma, or rhinitis (a runny, itchy or blocked nose and sneezing) or lumps in your nose (nasal polyps)
- have kidney or liver problems
- have any blood clotting disorders
- have or have ever had high blood pressure, a stroke or any heart problems
- have high cholesterol, diabetes or you smoke
- have mixed connective tissue disease or an autoimmune condition, such as ‘systemic lupus erythematosus’ (SLE), which causes joint pain, skin rashes and fever
- have ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease (conditions causing inflammation of the bowel, bowel pain, diarrhoea, vomiting and weight loss)
are trying to become pregnant or undergoing investigation of infertility - naproxen belongs to a
group of medicines which may affect fertility in women. Fertility goes back to normal when you stop taking the medicine. It is unlikely that if you only take naproxen occasionally, it will affect your chances of becoming pregnant. If you have problems becoming pregnant talk to your doctor before taking this medicine
- are taking low-dose aspirin (up to 75 mg daily). If any of the above apply to you, or if you are not sure, talk to your pharmacist or doctor before you take Naprosyn Period Pain Relief.
If you have experienced any of the following symptoms, talk to your pharmacist or doctor before taking Naprosyn Period Pain Relief. This is because you may have an underlying condition, which may need to be investigated with your doctor.
- Your periods are irregular
- Your period is unusually painful
- Your period is heavier, longer or later than normal
- Your period pain gradually worsens during each subsequent period
- The pain begins more than one day before the onset of bleeding
- The pain remains severe throughout your period
- You experience bleeding between your periods
- You have noticed changes in the normal pattern of your periods such as the intensity or duration of the pain, or changes in the volume and duration of blood flow
- Your period pain has not been relieved when using other painkillers e.g. paracetamol, ibuprofen
- You have a thick or foul-smelling vaginal discharge
- You experience pain during or just after sex
- You have a fever.
Serious skin reactions, including Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis, drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS),
have been reported in association with naproxen. Stop taking this medicine and seek medical attention immediately if you notice any of the symptoms related to these serious skin reactions described in section 4.
Children and adolescents
Naprosyn Period Pain Relief is not recommended for use in children under 16 years of age.
Other medicines and Naprosyn Period Pain Relief
Tell your pharmacist or doctor if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines. This includes medicines that you buy without a prescription and herbal medicines.
In particular, tell your pharmacist or doctor if you are taking:
- other painkillers, e.g. aspirin, ibuprofen, diclofenac, and paracetamol
- medicines used to prevent your blood clotting, e.g. aspirin/ acetylsalicylic acid, warfarin, heparin, or clopidogrel
- hydantoins (to treat epilepsy), e.g. phenytoin
- sulfonamide medicines, such as hydrochlorothiazide, acetazolamide, indapamide and sulfonamide antibiotics (used to treat infections)
- a sulfonylurea (to treat diabetes), e.g. glimepiride or glipizide
- ACE inhibitors or any other medicine for high blood pressure such as cilazapril, enalapril, captopril or ramipril
- angiotensin-Il receptor antagonists, e.g. candesartan, eprosartan or losartan
- diuretics (water tablets), e.g. furosemide
cardiac glycosides such as digoxin
(for heart failure)
corticosteroids e.g. hydrocortisone, prednisolone and dexamethasone
- quinolone antibiotics (used to treat bacterial infections) e.g. ciprofloxacin or moxifloxacin
- lithium (used to treat mood disorders)
- selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) (used to treat depression) e.g. fluoxetine or citalopram
- probenecid (used for gout)
- methotrexate (used to treat skin problems, arthritis or cancer)
- ciclosporin or tacrolimus (used to suppress the immune system)
- zidovudine (used to treat AIDS and HIV infections)
- antacids (for heartburn)
- colestyramine (for high cholesterol)
- mifepristone (used to end pregnancy) - naproxen should not be taken within 8-12 days of taking mifepristone.
If any of the above apply to you, or if you are not sure, talk to your pharmacist or doctor before you take Naprosyn Period Pain Relief.
Pregnancy, breastfeeding and fertility
- If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking this medicine
- You should not take Naprosyn Period Pain Relief during the first 6 months of pregnancy unless absolutely necessary and advised by your doctor. If you need treatment during this period or while you are trying to get pregnant, the lowest dose for the shortest time possible should be used
- If taken for more than a few days from 20 weeks of pregnancy onward, Naprosyn Period Pain Relief can cause kidney problems in your unborn baby that may lead to low levels of amniotic fluid that surrounds the baby (oligohydramnios) or narrowing of a blood vessel (ductus arteriosus) in the heart of the baby.
Period Pain Relief
250 mg gastro-resistant tablets Naproxen
PAGE 1 OF 2 If you need treatment for longer than a few days, your doctor may recommend additional monitoring
- Do not take Naprosyn Period Pain Relief if you are in the last 3 months of pregnancy, as it could harm your unborn baby or cause problems at delivery. It can cause kidney and heart problems in your unborn baby. It may affect you and your baby's tendency to bleed and cause labour to be later or longer than expected
- You should avoid taking Naprosyn Period Pain Relief if you are breastfeeding
- Naproxen may make it more difficult to become pregnant. You should tell your doctor if you are planning to become pregnant or if you have problems becoming pregnant.
Driving and using machines
You may experience dizziness, drowsiness, spinning sensation (vertigo), difficulty in sleeping, depression or problems with your eyesight when taking naproxen. If you are affected do not drive or operate machinery.
Information on sodium content
This medicine contains less than 1mmol sodium (23 mg) per tablet, that is to say essentially ‘sodium-free’.
3. How to take Naprosyn Period Pain Relief
Always take this medicine exactly as described in this leaflet or as your pharmacist or doctor has told you. Check with your pharmacist or doctor if you are not sure.
Always take the lowest effective dose for the shortest amount of time to control your symptoms.
Swallow the tablets whole with water, with or after food. Do not crush or chew the tablets.
The tablets have a special coating to protect your stomach. Breaking the tablet will damage this coating. Women aged 16 to 50 years old
First day of treatment
As soon as the pain starts, take two tablets (500 mg) then if needed, one tablet (250 mg) after 6-8 hours. Second and third day of treatment
If needed, take one tablet (250 mg) every 6-8 hours. Only take the tablets for as long as you need them for your period pain. You may not need to take the tablets all the time for all 3 days. If you still have pain after 3 days of treatment, talk to your pharmacist or doctor. Do not take more than the recommended dose of up to 3 tablets in a day.
Do not take for longer than three days in any one month (menstrual cycle).
Make sure that you drink plenty of water (stay well hydrated) when you are taking Naprosyn Period Pain Relief.
This is particularly important for people who have problems with their kidneys.
Use in children and adolescents
Naprosyn Period Pain Relief is not for use in children under 16 years of age.
If you take more Naprosyn Period Pain Relief than you should
It is important not to take too many tablets. If you have taken too much contact a doctor or go to your nearest Accident & Emergency Department (Casualty) taking this leaflet and pack with you. Symptoms of an overdose are headache, heartburn, feeling or being sick, stomach pain or bleeding, diarrhoea, disorientation, excitation, drowsiness, dizziness, ringing in the ears, or fainting. If you forget to take Naprosyn Period Pain Relief
If you forget to take a dose, skip the missed dose. Then take your next dose as normal.
Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose.
4. Possible side effects
Like all medicines this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. Medicines such as naproxen may be associated with a small increased risk of heart attack or stroke. Any risk is more likely with higher doses and prolonged (longer term) treatment.
STOP TAKING Naprosyn Period Pain Relief and get urgent medical help if you experience any of the following side effects:
- An allergic reaction: swelling of the face, mouth, tongue, airways or body; difficulty breathing or wheezing, coughing up blood; skin reactions including hives (pale/red raised skin with severe itching), itchy skin rash, blood spots, bruising or discolouring of the skin, raised purple rashes, red skin patches, bumpy rashes, blisters, dermatitis (skin shedding, itching, swelling)
- A distinctive cutaneous allergic reaction known as fixed drug eruption, that usually recurs at the same site(s) on re-exposure to the medication and may look like round or oval patches of redness and swelling of the skin, blistering (hives), itching
- Severe skin rash with flushing, blisters or ulcers (Stevens-Johnson syndrome); a severe rash with reddening, peeling and swelling of the skin that resembles burns (toxic epidermal necrolysis); blistering of skin when exposed to sunlight (pseudoporphyria); widespread rash, high body temperature, liver enzyme elevations, blood abnormalities (eosinophilia), enlarged lymph nodes and other body organs involvement (drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms, which is also known as DRESS). See also section 2
Heart attack: signs include chest pain which may spread to your neck and shoulders and down your left arm
- Stroke: signs include muscle weakness and numbness. This may only be on one side of your body. A suddenly altered sense of smell, taste, hearing or vision, or confusion
- Serious stomach problems: ulcer or inflammation in the stomach or gut (causing indigestion, heartburn, pains in your stomach, feeling or being sick); worsening of colitis and Crohn’s disease (pain, diarrhoea, vomiting, weight loss); black tarry looking stools (signs of bleeding and perforation of the stomach and intestines); vomiting any blood or dark particles that look like coffee grounds; pancreatitis (causing fever, stomach pain, sickness)
- Sudden shortness of breath, chest pain, nausea, these could be signs of hyperkalaemia
- Meningitis: symptoms include a stiff neck, headache, feeling or being sick, fever, sensitivity to bright light and confusion. This is most likely in people with autoimmune conditions such as ‘systemic lupus erythematosus’ (SLE)
- Liver problems including yellowing of the skin or whites of your eyes (jaundice); feeling tired, loss of appetite, feeling or being sick, pale coloured stools (hepatitis shown in blood tests). Other side effects (not known,
frequency cannot be estimated from the available data):
- heartburn, indigestion, abdominal discomfort or pain, feeling sick or being sick, constipation, diarrhoea, wind
- changes to the number and types of blood cells which may cause unusual tiredness or weakness, unusual bleeding, unexplained bruising, fever or chills, sore throat, or mouth ulcers
- difficulty sleeping (insomnia), abnormal dreams, depression, confusion, or hallucinations (seeing, hearing, or believing things which are not real)
fits or seizures, dizziness, headache, light- headedness, or drowsiness
- pins and needles or numbness of your hands and feet
- difficulty concentrating or forgetfulness
- changes to your eyesight, eye pain
- changes to your hearing, including ringing in your ears (tinnitus) or hearing loss, or spinning sensation (vertigo)
- swelling of your hands, feet, or legs (oedema)
- a fluttering feeling in your heart (palpitations), or high blood pressure
- problems with the way your heart pumps blood around the body or damage to your blood vessels. Signs may include tiredness, shortness of breath, feeling faint, general pain
- difficulty breathing, wheezing or coughing
- pneumonia or swelling of your lungs
- kidney problems including blood in your urine or passing little or no urine
- thirst, fever, feeling tired or generally unwell
- muscle pain or weakness, sweating, hair loss
- problems for women in getting pregnant. Reporting of side effects
If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects via the Yellow Card Scheme at:
www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store. By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
5. How to store Naprosyn Period Pain Relief
- Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children
Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the carton after EXP. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month
- Keep blister in the outer carton to protect from light. Store below 30°C
- Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to throw away medicines you no longer use. These measures will help protect the environment.
6. Contents of the pack and other information
What Naprosyn Period Pain Relief contains The active substance in Naprosyn Period Pain Relief 250 mg tablets is naproxen. Each tablet contains 250 mg (milligrams) of naproxen.
The other ingredients in the tablet are povidone, magnesium stearate, water, croscarmellose sodium, methacrylic acid − ethyl acrylate copolymer, purified talc, sodium hydroxide, triethyl citrate, iron oxide black, shellac, propylene glycol, isopropyl alcohol, ammonium hydroxide and N-butyl alcohol.
What Naprosyn Period Pain Relief looks like and contents of the pack
Naprosyn Period Pain Relief 250 mg tablets are round, white, and marked with NPR EC 250 on one side. Naprosyn Period Pain Relief tablets are supplied in blister packs containing 9 tablets.
Marketing Authorisation Holder
Maxwellia Ltd, Alderley Park, Alderley Edge, SK10 4TG, United Kingdom.
Manufacturer
Misom Labs Ltd, Malta Life Sciences Park, LS2.01.06 Industrial Estate, San Gwann, SGN 3000, Malta.
NAPROSYN® is a registered trade mark of Atnahs Pharma UK Limited.
This leaflet was prepared in July 2026.
READ DIRECTION