Learn about naproxen sodium (Anaprox DS) usage and dosing. Read the latest news and reviews about the drug as well as potential side effects and popular alternatives. Naproxen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used to relieve symptoms of arthritis (eg, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, or juvenile arthritis) such as inflammation, swelling, stiffness, and joint pain. Overview: Naproxen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used to relieve pain, reduce swelling, and lower fever. Common side effects include belly pain, upset stomach, heartburn, or. Naproxen sodium is available as both an immediate-release and an extended-release tablet. The extended-release formulations (sometimes called sustained release , or enteric coated ) take longer to take effect than the immediate-release formulations and therefore are less useful when immediate pain relief is desired. Over-the-counter products contain naproxen sodium, a form of naproxen that helps temporarily relieve minor aches and pains and reduce fever. Naproxen works by decreasing the body's production of prostaglandins, substances involved in pain, fever, and inflammation. Naproxen comes in two forms - either as the base naproxen or as the salt form known as naproxen sodium. Both the base and salt forms work the same way to relieve pain. Naproxen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). It works by reducing hormones that cause inflammation and pain in the body. Naproxen is used to treat pain or inflammation caused by conditions such as arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, tendinitis, bursitis, gout, or menstrual cramps. Naproxen is used as a treatment to relieve pain from various conditions such as headaches, muscle aches, tendonitis, dental pain, and menstrual cramps. It also reduces pain, swelling, and joint stiffness caused by conditions such as arthritis, bursitis, and gout attacks. Used to treat the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), osteoarthritis (OA), ankylosing spondylitis (AS), polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), tendinitis, bursitis and acute gout. Form (s): regular and extended-release enteric-coated tablet. Naproxen sodium is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used to relieve pain, reduce inflammation, and lower fever. It’s available over the counter under the brand name Aleve and in stronger prescription forms like Naprosyn and Anaprox.