Vimovo is used to treat the signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis. It helps to reduce pain, swelling, redness and heat (inflammation). Vimovo contains two drugs: Naproxen (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug) which helps to reduce substances in the body that cause pain and swelling and Esomeprazole (proton pump inhibitor) which reduces the amount of acid produced by the stomach. Naproxen can damage the stomach by causing ulcers but esomeprazole helps reduce this damage. It is used in people who need to take anti-inflammatory medicine and are at risk of getting a stomach ulcer or an ulcer in the small intestine. This medication only reduces the symptoms of pain and inflammation as long as you use it. It does not cure the illness.

Manufacturer Information

The brand Vimovo is manufactured by AstraZeneca Canada Inc. and comes from Canada. It may come from other international countries. It is available as tablets in the dosage form of 375 mg/20 mg and 500 mg/20 mg. The generic form of Vimovo (Naproxen/Esomeprazole) is also available in the dosage forms of 375 mg/20 mg and 500 mg/20 mg and it comes from Canada manufactured by different manufacturers.

Stop taking Vimovo and call your doctor at once if you have one of these serious side effects:

• Bloody or black tarry stools
• Shortness of breath, wheezing, any trouble breathing or chest tightness
• Skin rash, hives, swelling or itching
• Blurred vision
• Allergic reaction to the medication
• Any change in the color of urine
• Difficulty or pain while urinating
• Hearing problems
• Blood disorders
• Skin disorders
• Kidney problems

Less serious side effects include headache, dizziness, nausea, diarrhea, stomach upset, insomnia, numbing, swelling of extremities, vertigo, feeling sleepy, mental confusion, depression. This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Please call your doctor if you have any further concerns or questions.

Take Vimovo exactly as prescribed by your healthcare professional. Vimovo should be taken at least 30 minutes before a meal. The tablets should be swallowed whole with water. Do not crush, chew or split the tablets. Do not take more of it. Do not take it more often, and do not take it for a longer period than recommended be your doctor. Vimovo may cause you to become drowsy or tired. If you become drowsy, dizzy or light-headed after taking Vimovo, do not drive or use machines. Vimovo may cause you to become more sensitive to sunlight. Sunlight or sunlamps may cause sunburn, skin blisters, skin rash, redness, itching or discolouration, or vision changes. If you have a reaction from the sun, check with your health care provider. Do not use the medication if you are allergic to naproxen, esomeprazole or any other ingredients in the medication, are planning to have or had heart bypass surgery, have severe uncontrolled and severe heart failure, have bleeding in the brain, are pregnant or breastfeeding, have an active ulcer, have liver or kidney disease, have inflammatory bowel disease, have high potassium in blood or are taking rilpivirine. This medication should not be used in patients under 18 years of age. Vimovo may interact with medications such as acetylsalicylic Acid (ASA) or other NSAIDs (e.g. celecoxib, indomethacin, ketorolac), antacids, antidepressants, blood pressure medications, blood thinners (e.g. warfarin, ASA, clopidogrel), corticosteroids (including glucocorticoids e.g. prednisone), cyclosporine, digoxin, diuretics (e.g. furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide), erlotinib (or any other anticancer drug from the same class), lithium, methotrexate, oral contraceptives, oral hypoglycemics (diabetes medications), tacrolimus. Before taking this medication, inform your doctor if you have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, atherosclerosis, kidney or urine problems, ulcers, have a family history of asthma, nasal polyps, long-term swelling of the sinus, or are planning to become pregnant.

Reference:

1. https://www.astrazeneca.ca/content/dam/az-ca/downloads/productinformation/vimovo-product-monograph-en.pdf