Gaurav Sharma Gaurav Sharma Asked 6 months ago

Is naproxen good for arthritis?

My mother-in-law has really bad arthritis in her hands. Someone suggested naproxen to her. Is it generally effective for arthritis pain?

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6 answers

Arvind Swamy Arvind Swamy Joined Feb 2026 6 months ago
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Actually, my orthopedic doctor explained this to me last year. Naproxen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, so it helps reduce the swelling in the joints which reduces the pain. But he strictly warned me not to take it on an empty stomach because it can cause severe acidity and even stomach ulcers if used long-term.

Meera Joshi Meera Joshi Joined Mar 2026 6 months ago

I totally get it, seeing our elders or even dealing with joint pain ourselves is so tough. Naproxen does give good relief from that constant stiffness, but please don't let anyone take it daily without asking a doctor first. It is quite strong and can sometimes affect the kidneys or blood pressure if used randomly.

Ramesh Chawla Ramesh Chawla Joined Mar 2026 6 months ago

It gives relief for sure, but we shouldn't rely only on heavy pills. For my wife's joint pain, along with the doctor's medicine, we do regular warm mustard oil massage and she does simple ankle rotations sitting on a chair. These small ghar pe habits keep the joints moving without too many side effects.

Kabir Mehta Kabir Mehta Joined Mar 2026 6 months ago

My dad has knee arthritis and the doc prescribed him naproxen during bad flare-ups. It definitely works fast for the pain, but he only takes it when the pain is unbearable. Don't just pop them like regular painkillers, bro, get a proper prescription first.

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Consult a rheumatologist

Rohan Deshmukh Rohan Deshmukh Joined Mar 2026 6 months ago

Naproxen is quite effective for inflammatory pain like arthritis, but its suitability depends entirely on your overall health profile. Since it can interact with blood pressure and kidney function, a doctor's advice is absolutely best before starting it. They will prescribe the safest dose and duration for your specific case.

Sunita Kulkarni Sunita Kulkarni Joined May 2026 5 months ago

Please be very careful with this medicine. I took naproxen for my knee pain for just two weeks and ended up with terrible burning in my stomach and high blood pressure. Don't self-medicate at all, go to a good doctor and let them check your stomach health before prescribing anything.

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