Arthritis Treatment Print Taking Vimovo to Treat Arthritis Combination of Naproxen and a PPI Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Grant Hughes, MD on August 05, 2016 Grant Hughes, MD is board-certified in rheumatology and is the head of rheumatology at Seattle's Harborview Medical Center. Learn about our Medical Review Board Grant Hughes, MD Written by facebook Written by Carol Eustice Carol Eustice is a writer who covers arthritis and chronic illness. She is the author of "The Everything Health Guide to Arthritis." Learn about our editorial policy Carol Eustice Updated on June 24, 2019 Arthritis Overview Symptoms Causes Diagnosis Treatment Coping Hero Images / Getty Images Vimovo, co-developed by Pozen and AstraZeneca, is a combination of naproxen (an NSAID) and immediate-release esomeprazole (a proton-pump inhibitor, or PPI). The immediate release formulation allows for the sequential release of the active components—esomeprazole is delivered in advance of the release of naproxen. Vimovo was approved by the FDA on April 30, 2010. Availability Vimovo is only available by prescription. Vimovo is available in two strengths—20 mg esomeprazole combined with either 375 mg or 500 mg naproxen—to be taken by mouth. The usual dosage to treat osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, or ankylosing spondylitis is one tablet twice daily of Vimovo 375 mg naproxen/20 mg esomeprazole or 500 mg naproxen/20 mg esomeprazole. When Is Vimovo Prescribed? Vimovo is prescribed for relief of the signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis and to decrease the risk of developing gastric ulcers in patients at risk of developing NSAID-associated gastric ulcers. Special Instructions Vimovo, as with all NSAIDs, should be taken exactly as prescribed at the lowest possible effective dose and for the shortest time needed in order to lower the risk of adverse side effects. You should take Vimovo at least 30 minutes before a meal. Vimovo must be swallowed whole. Do not chew, split, crush, or dissolve Vimovo. You are allowed to take antacids if needed while taking Vimovo. Are There Patients Who Should Not Take Vimovo? It is not known if Vimovo is safe or effective for children under 18 years old. Also, people who have had an asthma attack, hives, or other allergic reaction while taking aspirin or other NSAIDs should not take Vimovo. If you have known allergies to any ingredients in Vimovo or any proton pump inhibitor, you should not take Vimovo. Vimovo should not be taken right before or after coronary bypass surgery. The drug is also not recommended for women in their third trimester of pregnancy. Side Effects Some of the common side effects that may be associated with Vimovo include: Inflammation of the lining of the stomachIndigestionDiarrheaStomach ulcersUpper abdominal painNausea Severe side effects may include high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke, fluid retention, kidney problems, bleeding ulcers, anemia, life-threatening skin reactions and allergic reactions, liver problems, and asthma attacks. Other Special Warnings and Precautions The risk of bleeding ulcers associated with Vimovo and other NSAIDs increases if you also take corticosteroids or blood thinners, smoke, drink alcohol, are in poor health, or are elderly. Drug Interactions There may be drug interactions with ACE-inhibitors, aspirin, cholestyramine, diuretics, lithium, methotrexate, anticoagulants, and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. Instructions for Pregnant or Nursing Women Vimovo should be avoided during late stages of pregnancy. With regard to breastfeeding, Vimovo can pass into breast milk and possibly harm the baby. Avoid Vimovo if you are planning to breastfeed. Signs of Overdose An overdose of Vimovo may cause weakness, tiredness, upper abdominal pain, a change in breathing, vomiting, bleeding, uncontrolled movements, and coordination problems. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Dealing with chronic inflammation? An anti-inflammatory diet can help. Our free recipe guide shows you the best foods to fight inflammation. Get yours today! Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit Article Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial policy to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Vimovo. Medication Guide. FDA. Revised 3/2014. Vimovo. Patient Information. Continue Reading