Tendinitis (tendinopathy)

500 mg initially followed by 250 mg every 6-8 hours (max 1250 mg/day after first day) x 7-14 days

Not recommended under 16 years for this indication - the product label restricts paediatric naproxen to juvenile idiopathic arthritis (10 mg/kg/day in two divided doses, child over 5 years). Use paracetamol or ibuprofen instead.

Naproxen 500 mg Tablets SmPC section 4.2 (eMC product 2639)

NSAID that relieves the pain and inflammation of tendinopathy via COX inhibition; intended for short-term symptom control only, since NSAIDs may impair long-term tendon healing with continued use.

400 mg 3 times daily with food (max 2400 mg daily) x 7-14 days

5-10 mg/kg/dose [child max 400 mg]

(Contraindicated below 20 kg body weight or under 6 years of age for this 400 mg film-coated tablet formulation.)

Alternatives, both non-selective NSAIDs. Ibuprofen is the cheaper and the more widely stocked.

Ibuprofen 400 mg film-coated tablets (POM) SmPC section 4.2 (eMC product 7020) for the adult dose: "200-400 mg given as a single dose or 3-4 times a day with an interval of 6 hours as required" and, in rheumatic disease, "a maximum of 2400 mg in 3 or 4 divided doses". That label is contraindicated below 20 kg or 6 years and its only mg/kg line is for adolescents 15 to 17 years, so the paediatric 5 to 10 mg/kg per dose is from MSF Essential Drugs 2024 (ibuprofen oral monograph): "Child over 3 months: 5 to 10 mg/kg 3 to 4 times daily (max. 30 mg/kg daily)".

NSAID alternative to naproxen for tendinitis pain and inflammation, inhibiting COX-mediated prostaglandin synthesis; a widely available option for symptom control.