Both paracetamol and naproxen are prevalent drugs for their effectiveness in combating a wide range of conditions that cause pain and fever, so it is common for them to be part of most of the medications found in the home schools and work centers. In addition, being over-the-counter, it is straightforward to acquire and use them without going to a doctor.
Also, both drugs are considered to have a low risk of side effects compared to other pain relievers, which causes some people to take them without following the recommendations specified on the package. Although its individual use is usually harmless, many people may wonder if I can take paracetamol if I am taking naproxen, and in this FastlyHealarticle, we offer this information. However, it is important not to combine them with other drugs without the specialist’s authorization.
Table of Contents
What is paracetamol for
Paracetamol is a prevalent drug since it is within the group of analgesics, ideal for helping eliminate pain while reducing fever due to its antipyretic action. Unlike other similar medications such as ibuprofen, paracetamol does not have an anti-inflammatory effect .
Specialists usually prescribe paracetamol to treat various disorders that can cause discomfort, such as:
- Headaches.
- Stomach aches due to menstruation.
- Dental pain due to multiple alterations
- Pain in the joints, bones, or muscles, among others.
Doctors can also advise you to keep the fever under control; however, it is essential always to follow the professionals’ instructions and never self-medicate.
It is widely used in various countries worldwide due to its excellent efficacy and because it is a safe drug. However, it is always essential not to abuse drugs and consume them in the appropriate doses. You should not exceed 3 or 4 grams daily in adults, so that the doctor may advise ingesting one gram every eight hours.
Although paracetamol does not usually cause stomach damage, unlike other drugs with similar actions, its main drawback is the risk of liver toxicity, so it is essential always to respect the dose detailed by the doctor.
What is naproxen for
The naproxen is fitted within the nonsteroidal antiinflammatory and to soothe:
- Sharp menstrual pain.
- Treatment of menorrhagia.
- Relieve the discomfort caused by migraines.
- Eliminate mild or moderate discomfort of musculoskeletal origin, among others.
Its action is very similar to that of paracetamol, so many people are afraid of ingesting paracetamol when they are already consuming naproxen. It is correct not to mix two drugs without knowing if they can be combined or not, so you should consult with a specialist.
On the other hand, many people began to be afraid of ingesting any drug belonging to this class of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory medications due to the study by the Spanish Agency for Medicines and Health Products, which published that frequently consuming high doses of ibuprofen could be associated with an increase in cardiovascular risks [1]. Still, these same studies indicate that this is not the case with naproxen. This is why it is essential to clarify that the consumption of adequate doses of these drugs does not increase the risk of suffering any cardiovascular disorder, mainly naproxen, which has the slightest possibility of expanding these effects.
Despite the above, naproxen can be one of the most potent and most aggressive anti-inflammatory drugs for the digestive tract. Because of its compounds, the consumption of naproxen during the first and second trimesters of pregnancy is linked to the risk of miscarriages or congenital anomalies. For all the above, patients must respect the recommended doses prescribed by the specialist.
Can I take acetaminophen if I am taking naproxen?
Naproxen is an anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, and analgesic drug responsible for inhibiting the synthesis of prostaglandins. At the same time, paracetamol is also an analgesic and antipyretic, but it is non-narcotic and has a selective action on the central nervous system without cortical blockage. These drugs can be combined for the systemic treatment of different disorders that cause pain and fever. However, it also serves as a complement to therapies that require antibiotics for respiratory tract infections.
Combining both drugs is ideal for treating and alleviating many conditions because it multiplies the benefits and acts more quickly and effectively in some instances, as mentioned in the Journal of Pharmacology and Therapeutics published by the Peruvian Society of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics [2]. This is why many specialists can advise the consumption of both to:
- Eliminate the symptoms of rheumatic diseases.
- An injury causes inflammation.
- Reduce high fever.
- It can also be indicated to counteract inflammatory processes resulting from orthopedic surgeries, muscle aches, or discomfort from dental procedures.
Despite this, it is essential that they are only combined when the specialist so indicates and that they are consumed in the manner detailed, always following a control.
Paracetamol and naproxen together: side effects
On the other hand, although they are pretty safe drugs, the consumption of these drugs has contraindications for people with hypersensitivity to naproxen sodium or paracetamol, and for patients who have consumed an antipyretic and it has caused hives, rhinitis, or asthmatic symptoms. At the same time, this combination should not be given to people undergoing anticoagulant treatments who have acute gastritis, anemia, duodenal ulcer, cyanotic states, and anemia.
It is vital that patients with liver failure, kidney failure, women who are pregnant or breastfeeding, who suffer from the acid peptic disease, phenylketonuria, among others, do not consume paracetamol and naproxen.
Among the most frequent side effects are:
- Abdominal pain.
- Stomach upset
- Vertigo and vomiting.
- Anemia.
- Drowsiness.
- Rashes.
- Lesions in the intestinal and gastric mucosa.
This article is merely informative, at FastlyHeal .com we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any type of diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any type of condition or discomfort.
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I am a Surgeon with a diploma in comprehensive ultrasound and surgical care residency, an area I am specializing in. During the exercise of my profession, I have realized the need for patients to know the diseases they suffer, and I can tell you that a large part of their complications is due to a lack of information. Being a health web writer allows me to transmit my experience, without borders, to all those readers eager for knowledge, educate them in the prevention of diseases and promote a healthy lifestyle.