Sumatriptan/Naproxen (Treximet) - Uses, Side Effects, and More

What are the most common side effects of sumatriptan/naproxen?

The most common side effects of sumatriptan/naproxen are listed below. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

• Dizziness
• Feeling pain, stiffness, or discomfort in the neck, jaw, throat, or chest
• Numbness or tingling in the fingers or toes
• Dry mouth 
• Heartbeat problems
• Feeling unusually weak or tired
• Drowsiness
• Nausea 
• Heartburn or indigestion
• Feeling hot
• Muscle tightness

There may be other side effects of sumatriptan/naproxen that are not listed here. Contact your healthcare provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088. In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of sumatriptan/naproxen?

While less common, the most serious side effects of sumatriptan/naproxen are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Severe Allergic Reactions. Sumatriptan/naproxen may cause allergic reactions, including a specific type of allergic reaction called DRESS. DRESS stands for Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms. It is also sometimes called multi-organ hypersensitivity. This is a reaction that can affect multiple parts of the body including your liver, kidneys, and heart. Stop taking the medicine and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

• Breathing problems or wheezing
• Racing heart
• Itching, skin rash, or pale red bumps on the skin called hives
• Fever or general ill feeling
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
• Shortness of breath, trouble swallowing, or throat tightness
• Swelling in your feet, ankles, or legs
• Nausea or vomiting
• Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
• Stomach cramps
• Joint pain
• Dark-colored pee
• Your skin or the whites of your eyes turning yellowish in color (also called jaundice)

Chest Pain, Heart Attack, and Stroke. Sumatriptan/naproxen can cause chest pain, which can be a symptom of a heart attack. It may also increase your risk of a heart attack or stroke that can lead to death. This risk is increased in people who have or are at risk for heart disease, and with longer use or higher doses of sumatriptan/naproxen. Do not take sumatriptan/naproxen if you have had a recent heart attack without talking to your healthcare provider. This could increase your risk of having another heart attack. Get emergency help if you have any of the following symptoms of a heart attack or stroke.

• Chest pain or pressure
• Fast or abnormal heartbeat
• Trouble breathing
• Pain in your back, jaw, throat, or arm
• Sweating, upset stomach, vomiting, or dizziness
• Sudden weakness on one side of your body
• Sudden and severe headache
• Slurred speech or trouble understanding speech

Bleeding. Sumatriptan/naproxen can increase your risk of bleeding, especially if you have a bleeding disorder or take other medicines that increase your risk of bleeding. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you notice signs of bleeding, including easy bruising or bleeding.

Stomach Bleeding. Sumatriptan/naproxen can increase your risk of bleeding, ulcers, and tears (perforation) in your gut. The risk is higher if you have a history of stomach ulcers, bleeding problems, take higher doses of sumatriptan/naproxen or take it for longer than directed, have poor health, are age 60 or older, have liver disease, smoke, drink alcohol, or take certain other medicines. Stop taking sumatriptan/naproxen and get emergency help right away if you have any of the following symptoms.

• Vomit blood
• Black or tarry poop
• Stomach pain that does not go away
• Upset stomach
• Feel faint

Heart Rhythm Changes. Sumatriptan/naproxen may cause heart rhythm problems that can lead to an irregular heartbeat and fainting. In rare cases, this may cause the heart to suddenly stop beating (cardiac arrest). Some people have a higher risk of this, including people with existing heart disease or who take other medicines that affect the heart. Get emergency help if you have any of the following signs of heart rhythm changes.

• Chest pain
• Shortness of breath
• Feeling dizzy, lightheaded, or fainting
• Changes in your heart rate or rhythm, such as a fast, slow, pounding or skipping heartbeat

Blood Flow Problems. Sumatriptan/naproxen can reduce blood flow to many areas of the body, which can be serious. Get emergency medical help if you have any of the following signs of circulation problems.

• Pain or cramping in the hips or legs
• Leg muscle tightness or heaviness
• Burning or aching pain in the feet or toes
• Weakness, numbness, or tingling in the legs
• Changes in color or sensation in your fingers and toes (Raynaud’s syndrome)

Medicine Overuse Headache. Taking sumatriptan/naproxen more often than prescribed may cause your headaches to happen more often or to get worse. This is called medicine overuse headache or rebound headache. Tell your healthcare provider if your headaches are getting worse.

Stomach or Intestine Problems. Sumatriptan/naproxen can cause stomach or intestinal problems. Get medical care if you have any of the following symptoms. 

• Stomach pain that is sudden or severe
• Stomach pain after eating
• Weight loss
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Constipation or diarrhea, especially bloody diarrhea
• Fever 

Serotonin Syndrome. Serotonin syndrome is when there is too much of a substance called serotonin in your body. Sumatriptan/naproxen can cause serotonin syndrome when it is taken alone or with other medicines that affect serotonin. This condition can be life-threatening. Get emergency help if you have any of the following symptoms of serotonin syndrome.

• Sweating, fever, or flushing
• Confusion
• Feeling agitated or restless
• Seeing or hearing unusual things
• Dizziness
• Fast or racing heartbeat
• Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
• Muscle twitching, stiffness, or tremor
• Seizures

Increased Blood Pressure (Hypertension). Sumatriptan/naproxen may increase your blood pressure or make it worse if you have a history of high blood pressure. Call your healthcare provider if your blood pressure increases while taking this medicine.

If you measure your blood pressure and the top number (systolic) is 180 mm Hg or higher or the bottom number (diastolic) is 120 mm Hg or higher, get medical attention right away. Increases in blood pressure may not be noticeable but look out for any of the following symptoms of severely high blood pressure.

• Sudden severe headache
• Chest pain
• Dizziness or confusion
• Trouble breathing
• Nausea/vomiting
• Blurry or other changes to vision
• Anxiety
• Buzzing in the ears
• Nosebleed
• Feeling of skipped heartbeats

Liver Damage. Liver damage, also called hepatotoxicity, can happen when taking sumatriptan/naproxen. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of liver damage.

• Nausea or vomiting
• Stomach or belly pain
• Fever
• Weakness or unusual tiredness
• Itching
• Loss of appetite
• Light-colored poop
• Dark-colored urine
• Your skin or the whites of your eyes turning yellowish in color (also called jaundice)

Heart Failure and Swelling. Sumatriptan/naproxen may increase your risk of heart failure and edema (swelling). Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of heart failure or edema.

• Shortness of breath or trouble breathing, especially while lying down
• Swelling in your feet, ankles, or legs
• Unusually fast weight gain
• Unusual tiredness

Kidney Damage. Kidney damage can happen when taking sumatriptan/naproxen. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of kidney damage.

• Reduced need to pee
• Swelling in your feet, ankles, or legs
• Weakness or unusual tiredness
• Difficulty catching your breath or chest pain/pressure
• Confusion
• Nausea
• Seizures

High Potassium Level (Hyperkalemia). Sumatriptan/naproxen can cause a high potassium level (hyperkalemia), which can be serious and may lead to death. Your healthcare provider will check your potassium levels, especially if you take certain other medicines. Call your healthcare provider if you have any of the following symptoms of a high potassium level. 

• Muscle weakness or unusual tiredness
• Slow heartbeat or feeling of skipped heartbeats 
• Nausea or vomiting
• Trouble breathing
• Abnormal heart rhythm

Severe Skin Reactions. Sumatriptan/naproxen can cause severe skin reactions, called Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS) and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN), that can lead to death if not treated. If you develop a rash, stop taking sumatriptan/naproxen and call your healthcare provider right away. Get emergency help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of SJS or TEN.

• Painful red or purple skin that looks burned and peels off
• Flat red rash or blisters on your skin, mouth, nose, and genitals
• Red, painful, watery eyes

Anemia. Sumatriptan/naproxen may cause anemia, which is when you have low levels of red blood cells. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of the following symptoms of anemia.

• Unusual weakness or tiredness
• Cold hands and feet
• Fast or abnormal heartbeat
• Pale or yellowish skin 
• Dizziness, lightheadedness, or feeling like you are about to pass out
• Shortness of breath

Seizures. Some people who have taken sumatriptan/naproxen have reported having seizures. There are many different types of seizures and some of them are not easy to recognize. Stop taking sumatriptan/naproxen and call your healthcare provider if you experience any of the following signs that a seizure is happening or could happen.

• Muscle twitching, jerking, spasms, tremors, or other uncontrolled movements
• Stiffening of your arms and legs
• Feeling anxious, nervous, confused, or a sense of dread
• Feeling dizzy or lightheaded
• Falling or losing consciousness