Is Naproxen effective for haemorrhoids?
By
Dr Natalia Marceli Stephanes (PhD)
Author bio
Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes PhD is a Pharmacist with expertise in Drugs Administration and Toxicity; Discovery of New Drugs; Cancer Treatment; Biochemical Analyzes and Hematological Analyzes. She writes and reviews content on these topics.
Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes’ Highlights:
- Pharmacist at the Department of Health of Santa Catarina State, Brazil
- PhD with a focus on oncology treatment
- Years of experience in commercial pharmacy
- Bachelor, Master and PhD degrees in Pharmacy at the Federal University of Santa Catarina
Professional Experience:
From her undergraduate studies to her Master’s and Doctorate degrees in Pharmacy, Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes has participated in numerous scientific studies in the field of oncology and onco-hematology at the University Hospital of the Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil. Her research has focused on understanding the molecular and biochemical bases of malignant neoplasms and investigating safer and more effective therapeutic alternatives.
Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes has also served as an assistant professor of haematology for undergraduate students at the Federal University of Santa Catarina. Additionally, she held the position of professor of Hospital Pharmacy at the Qualificar Technical School in Brazil, where she developed instructional materials for use in the Pharmacy Postgraduate Program at the Leonardo Da Vinci University Center.
In addition to her academic experiences, Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes possesses a strong expertise in commercial pharmacy, with in-depth knowledge of medications, their routes of administration, desired effects, adverse effects, and toxicity.
Currently, Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes works as a Pharmacist at the Health Department of Santa Catarina State, where her role entails providing pharmaceutical scientific consulting services to judges.
Education:
- 2016 Bachelor in Pharmacy at the Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil
- 2018 Master in Pharmacy at the Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil
- 2023 PhD in Pharmacy at the Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil
The main publications of Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes are:
Falchetti M ; Delgobo M, Zancanaro H, Almeida K, Das Neves RN, Dos Santos B, Stefanes NM, et al. Bishop Omics-based identification of an NRF2-related auranofin resistance signature in cancer: Insights into drug repurposing. Comput. Biol. Med [Internet]. 2023; 152:106347.
Feuser PM, Matos dos Santos PC, Cordeiro AP, Stefanes NM, Walter LO, Maioral MF, Santos-Silva MC, et al. Antineoplastic activity of free 4-nitrochalcone and encapsulated in poly(thioether-ester) nanoparticles obtained by thiol-ene polymerization in two human leukemia cell lines (Jurkat and K562). J Drug Deliv Sci Technol [Internet]. 2022; 67:102924.
Jacques AV, Stefanes NM, Walter LO, Perondi DM, Efe FL, Souza LFS, Sens L, et al. Synthesis of chalcones derived from 1-naphthylacetophenone and evaluation of their cytotoxic and apoptotic effects in acute leukemia cell lines. Bioorg. Chem [Internet]. 2021; 116:105315.
Duarte BF, Vieira DSC, Lisboa ML, Stefanes NM, Grando LJ, Santos-Silva MC. Características clínico-epidemiológicas de pacientes portadores de carcinoma de células escamosas de boca. Arquivos Catarinenses de Medicina. 2021; 50(2): 232–245.
Machado V, Jacques AV, Stefanes NM, Santos-Silva MC, Biavatti MW. Anti-leukemic activity of semisynthetic derivatives of Lupeol. Nat. Prod. Res. 2021; 35(22):4494-4501.
Bigolin A, Maioral MF, Stefanes NM, Mascarello A, Chiaradia-Delatorre LD, Nunes RJ, Yunes RA, et al. A novel sulfonamide derivative as a strong and selective apoptotic agent against hematological malignancies. Chem. Pap. 2020; 74:2965–2976.
Bigolin A, Maioral MF, Stefanes NM, Zatelli GA, Philippus AC, Falkenberg MB, Santos-Silva MC. Cytotoxic mechanisms of primin, a natural quinone isolated from Eugenia hiemalis, on hematological cancer cell lines. Anticancer Drugs. 2020; 31(7):709-717.
Maioral MF, Stefanes NM, Neufeldt PD, Chiaradia-Delatorre LD, Nunes RJ, Santos-Silva MC. Aldehyde biphenyl chalcones induce immunogenic apoptotic-like cell death and are promising new safe compounds against a wide range of hematologic cancers. Future Med. Chem. 2020; 12(8):673–688.
Perondi DM, Jacques AV, Stefanes NM, Maioral MF, Sens L, Pacheco LA, Cury NM, et al. A novel thiosemicarbazone as a promising effective and selective compound for acute leukemia. Anticancer Drugs. 2019; 30(8):p 828-837.
Rengifo AFC, Stefanes NM, Toigo J, Mendes C, Argenta DF, Dotto MER, Santos-Silva MC, et al. PEO-chitosan nanofibers containing carboxymethyl-hexanoyl chitosan/dodecyl sulfate nanoparticles loaded with pyrazoline for skin cancer treatment. Eur. Polym. J. 2019; 119:335-343.
Rengifo AFC, Stefanes NM, Toigo J, Mendes C, Santos-Silva MC, Nunes RJ, Parize AL, et al. A new and efficient carboxymethyl-hexanoyl chitosan/dodecyl sulfate nanocarrier for a pyrazoline with antileukemic activity. Mater. Sci. Eng. C [Internet]. 2019; 105:110051.
Maioral MF, Stefanes NM, Bigolin A, Zatelli GA, Philippus AC, Falkenberg MB, Santos-Silva MC. Miconidine acetate, a new selective and cytotoxic compound with synergic potential, induces cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in leukemia cells. Invest. New Drugs. 2019; 37:912–922.
Srefanes NM, Toigo J, Maioral MF, Jacques AV, Chiaradia-Delatorre LD, Perondi DM, Ribeiro AAB, et al. Synthesis of novel pyrazoline derivatives and the evaluation of death mechanisms involved in their antileukemic activity. Bioorg. Med. Chem. 2019; 27(2):375-382.
Maioral MF, Bodack CN, Stefanes NM, Bigolin A, Mascarello A, Chiaradia-Delatorre LD, Yunes RA, et al. Cytotoxic effect of a novel naphthylchalcone against multiple cancer cells focusing on hematologic malignancies. Biochim. 2017; 140:48-57.
You can view some of Dr Natália’s work below and links to her professional profile below.
Research Gate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Natalia-Stephanes
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nataliamarceli/
Is Naproxen effective for haemorrhoids?
Naproxen is considered an effective painkiller for the management of pain and anal swelling associated with haemorrhoids. However, Naproxen can’t treat haemorrhoids.
This is often known as ‘symptomatic treatment’ and it does not manage the root cause of your haemorrhoids, which is mostly constipation and hard stools.
However, Naproxen should only be used as needed, and you shouldn’t make it a regular thing unless your healthcare provider recommends it. Generally, Naproxen can take some time to work for managing pain and inflammation associated with haemorrhoids, depending on the severity of these symptoms.
Side effects of Naproxen use in haemorrhoid treatment
Naproxen is associated with a number of side effects, but you may not experience them if you use this medication occasionally. Some of the common side effects associated with this NSAID are(1):
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Upset stomach
- Abdominal pain
- Acid reflux
- Gas
- Dizziness
- Lightheadedness
The most important concern with Naproxen is the risk of gastrointestinal side effects caused by this medication. If you already have an upset stomach, I don’t recommend taking Naproxen for haemorrhoids.
Prolonged use of this NSAID can cause dangerous side effects like gastrointestinal bleeding, ulceration, stomach or intestinal perforation, etc.
Precautions and contraindications for Naproxen use in haemorrhoid treatment
Naproxen is a good OTC painkiller and is quite effective, but not every other individual can take this medication. These include(2):
- People who recently had a heart attack or stroke
- People with gastric or duodenal ulcers.
- Those who have surgery coming up.
- People who are taking blood thinners or anticoagulants
- People taking antidepressants
- Pregnant or breastfeeding women
- People with severe liver disease
- People who are allergic to NSAIDs
- People who are already taking some other painkillers, unless recommended by their GP.
Alternatives to Naproxen for haemorrhoids
Other Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can also be used, if not Naproxen, for the management of pain and swelling caused by haemorrhoids.
However, there are plenty of other topical pain relief options if you’re more sensitive to the effects of Naproxen or NSAIDs in general. Topical ointments containing Lidocaine or some other local anaesthetic can help numb the pain before or after a bowel movement.
For proper management of haemorrhoids, you should consult your healthcare provider and get yourself physically examined for a better understanding of the severity of your haemorrhoids and for determining the best treatment measures.
One important thing to always remember if you have haemorrhoids is to keep your fibre intake sufficient. Haemorrhoids can take a few days to some weeks to heal, and one thing that can help your condition the most is easy bowel movement.
Make sure you drink plenty of water and have an adequate fibre intake to keep constipation at bay.
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References
1.-
Vonkeman HE, van de Laar MA. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs: adverse effects and their prevention. Semin Arthritis Rheum. 2010 Feb;39(4):294-312. doi: 10.1016/j.semarthrit.2008.08.001. Epub 2008 Sep 27. PMID: 18823646. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18823646/
2.-
Naproxen. NHS website. Updated July 30, 2021. Accessed March 07, 2023. Available from: https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/naproxen/
