PijnvizierPain relief in dental care
EN
NSAIDs and salicylates

Naproxen

Systemic NSAID.

Prescription options

Role in treatment

Naproxen is an NSAID option for acute nociceptive pain when the clinical situation and patient factors allow. Check the formulation and current product monograph.

Pre-use check

Check gastrointestinal, renal and cardiovascular risk, hypersensitivity and interactions. Ask about over-the-counter medicines. Do not combine two systemic NSAIDs.

Prescription options

Draft for your prescribing system. Check patient details, contraindications and medication safety before prescribing.

Naproxen after extraction

Example for an adult with pain and swelling after extraction when an NSAID is appropriate. This example uses a 12-hour interval; the product information allows 8–12 hours.

Checks before prescribing

KIMO advises against NSAID use after a dental procedure that causes bleeding in patients taking antithrombotics, even if antithrombotic therapy has been temporarily interrupted. Discuss over-the-counter NSAIDs as well. See When taking antithrombotics. Check gastrointestinal, renal and cardiovascular risk factors, pregnancy, hypersensitivity and interactions. Do not combine two NSAIDs. See Frailty, kidney or liver impairment.

  • R/ Naproxen 250 mg tablet

    Per dose
    Initial single dose of 500 mg by mouth (2 tablets), then 250 mg (1 tablet) per dose
    Frequency and interval in this example
    Repeat after 12 hours if necessary and then every 12 hours
    Maximum per 24 hours
    In this example 750 mg in the first 24 hours, then 500 mg per 24 hours
    Quantity in this draft
    Maximum 5 tablets

Duration in this example: 2 days. Stop earlier if the medicine is no longer needed. Reassess if pain relief is inadequate or pain worsens.

Sources for this topic

Reference for dentists on acute dental pain and pain after treatment.