Advise the patient to read the FDA-approved patient labeling (Medication Guide) that accompanies each prescription dispensed. Inform patients, families, or their caregivers of the following information before initiating therapy with sumatriptan and naproxen sodium tablets and periodically during the course of ongoing therapy.
Cardiovascular Thrombotic Events, Prinzmetal's Angina, Other Vasospasm-Related Events, Arrhythmias and Cerebrovascular Events
Advise patients to be alert for the symptoms of cardiovascular thrombotic effects such as myocardial infarction or stroke, which may result in hospitalization and even death. Although serious cardiovascular events can occur without warning symptoms, patients should be alert for signs and symptoms of chest pain, shortness of breath, weakness, irregular heartbeat, significant rise in blood pressure, weakness and slurring of speech, and should be advised to report any of these symptoms to their health care provider immediately. Apprise patients of the importance of this follow-up [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1, 5.3, 5.5, 5.6, 5.8)].
Gastrointestinal Bleeding, Ulceration, and Perforation
Advise patients to report symptoms of ulcerations and bleeding, including epigastric pain, dyspepsia, melena, and hematemesis to their health care provider. In the setting of concomitant use of low-dose aspirin for cardiac prophylaxis, inform patients of the increased risk for and the signs and symptoms of GI bleeding [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2)].
Hepatotoxicity
Inform patients of the warning signs and symptoms of hepatotoxicity (e.g., nausea, fatigue, lethargy, pruritus, diarrhea, jaundice, right upper quadrant tenderness, and “flu-like” symptoms). If these occur, instruct patients to stop sumatriptan and naproxen sodium tablets and seek immediate medical therapy [see Warnings and Precautions (5.7)].
Anaphylactic Reactions
Inform patients that anaphylactic reactions have occurred in patients receiving the components of sumatriptan and naproxen sodium tablets. Such reactions can be life-threatening or fatal. In general, anaphylactic reactions to drugs are more likely to occur in individuals with a history of sensitivity to multiple allergens. Inform patients of the signs of an anaphylactic reaction (e.g., difficulty breathing, swelling of the face or throat). If these occur, patients should be instructed to seek immediate emergency help [see Contraindications (4), Warnings and Precautions (5.13)].
Serious Skin Reactions
Inform patients that sumatriptan and naproxen sodium tablets, like other NSAID-containing products, may increase the risk of serious skin side effects such as exfoliative dermatitis, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, and toxic epidermal necrolysis, which may result in hospitalizations and even death. Although serious skin reactions may occur without warning, patients should be alert for the signs and symptoms of skin rash and blisters, fever, or other signs of hypersensitivity such as itching and should ask for medical advice when observing any indicative signs or symptoms. Advise patients to stop the drug immediately if they develop any type of rash and contact their healthcare providers as soon as possible [see Warnings and Precautions (5.14)].
Fetal Toxicity
Inform patients that sumatriptan and naproxen sodium tablets should not be used during the third trimester of pregnancy because NSAID-containing products have been shown to cause premature closure of the ductus arteriosus. Inform patients that sumatriptan and naproxen sodium tablets should be used during the first and second trimester of pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus [see Contraindications (4), Warnings and Precautions (5.15), Use in Specific Populations (8.1)].
Nursing Mothers
Advise patients to notify their healthcare provider if they are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed [see Use in Specific Populations (8.3)].
Heart Failure and Edema
Advise patients to be alert for the symptoms of congestive heart failure including shortness of breath, unexplained weight gain, or edema and to contact their healthcare provider if such symptoms occur [see Warnings and Precautions (5.9)].
Anaphylactic Reactions Inform patients of the signs of an anaphylactic reaction (e.g., difficulty breathing, swelling of the face or throat). Instruct patients to seek immediate emergency help if these occur [see Contraindications (4) and Warnings and Precautions (5.13)].
Concomitant Use with Other Triptans or Ergot Medications
Inform patients that use of sumatriptan and naproxen sodium tablets within 24 hours of another triptan or an ergot-type medication (including dihydroergotamine or methysergide) is contraindicated [see Contraindications (4), Drug Interactions (7.1)].
Serotonin Syndrome
Caution patients about the risk of serotonin syndrome with the use of sumatriptan and naproxen sodium tablets or other triptans, particularly during concomitant use with SSRIs, SNRIs, TCAs, and MAO inhibitors [see Warnings and Precautions (5.11), Drug Interactions (7.1)].
Medication Overuse Headache
Inform patients that use of acute migraine drugs for 10 or more days per month may lead to an exacerbation of headache and encourage patients to record headache frequency and drug use (e.g., by keeping a headache diary) [see Warnings and Precautions (5.10)].
Ability to Perform Complex Tasks
Treatment with sumatriptan and naproxen sodium tablets may cause somnolence and dizziness; instruct patients to evaluate their ability to perform complex tasks after administration of sumatriptan and naproxen sodium tablets [see Adverse Reactions (6.1)].
Asthma
Advise patients with preexisting asthma to seek immediate medical attention if their asthma worsens after taking sumatriptan and naproxen sodium tablets. Patients with a history of aspirin-sensitive asthma should not take sumatriptan and naproxen sodium tablets [see Contraindications (4), Warnings and Precautions (5.17)].
Avoid Concomitant Use of NSAIDs
Inform patients that the concomitant use of sumatriptan and naproxen sodium tablets with other NSAIDs or salicylates (e.g., diflunisal, salsalate) is not recommended due to the increased risk of gastrointestinal toxicity, and little or no increase in efficacy [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) and Drug Interactions (7)]. Alert patients that NSAIDs may be present in “over the counter” medications for treatment of colds, fever, or insomnia.
Use of NSAIDS and Low-Dose Aspirin
Inform patients not to use low-dose aspirin concomitantly with sumatriptan and naproxen sodium tablets until they talk to their healthcare provider [see Drug Interactions (7)].