Pharmacokinetics of Naproxen Overdoses

In earlier safety studies, naproxen, 600 mg three times daily, was administered to healthy subject without significant adverse effects. Another study demonstrated that single doses of 500 to 900 mg resulted in accelerated renal clearance and a nonlinear naproxen plasma level response after the higher doses. Our report describes the pharmacokinetics of naproxen when administered in single doses of 1, 2, 3, or 4 gm (up to eight times the clinically effective dose in rheumatoid arthritis) to healthy subjects. An increase in urinary excretion rate and continuation of the previously documented nonlinear plasma level response were observed. There were no signs that capacity to conjugate or to excrete the drug was exceeded. There were no adverse effects.