[Developmental toxicity of naproxen].

Naproxen is a nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug (NSAID) with an antiinflammatory, analgesic, antipyretic and tocolytic activity. Due to high therapeutical potency and good adult toxicological profile it is available as over-the-counter (OTC) drug. Experimental studies indicated that naproxen inhibited ovulation and readily passed the placental barrier. However, its developmental toxicity is not fully defined. Similar to other NSAIDs, naproxen causes constriction of the ductus arteriosus and fetal anuria or oliguria that could let to pulmonary arterial hypertension and oligohydramnion, respectively. It may also induce lip and/or palate clefts and cardiac malformations, especially the ventricular septal defect.