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Overview: Naproxen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used to relieve pain, reduce swelling, and lower fever. Common side effects include belly pain, upset stomach, heartburn, or nausea. Take it with food to help prevent an upset stomach. Check with a health care provider before taking naproxen if you are pregnant or have a history of stomach ulcers, bleeding, heart disease, high blood pressure, kidney problems, or take blood thinners. Get medical help right away if you have chest pain, weakness on one side of the body, severe stomach pain, black or bloody stools, vomit that looks like coffee grounds, or signs of a serious allergic reaction such as swelling of the face or trouble breathing.

Uses

What is naproxen used for?

Naproxen is commonly used to reduce fever and to treat pain and inflammation caused by several conditions, including arthritis, gout, ankylosing spondylitis, tendinitis, and bursitis. Naproxen is also commonly used to relieve headache, menstrual cramps, muscle pain, back pain, and tooth pain. 

Naproxen may also be used for other conditions as determined by your health care provider.

How does naproxen work (mechanism of action)?

Naproxen works by blocking certain substances in the body that lead to pain, inflammation, and fever.

How is naproxen supplied (dosage forms)?

Brands and other names

  • Aleve
  • Anaprox
  • EC-Naprosyn
  • Naprelan
  • Naprosyn

Dosage forms and strengths

  • 220 mg, 250 mg, 275 mg, 375 mg, 500 mg, 550 mg oral tablets
  • 375 mg, 500 mg, 750 mg delayed-release oral tablets
  • 220 mg oral capsule
  • 125 mg/5 mL oral suspension

How should I store naproxen?

Naproxen should be stored at room temperature, between 68 F and 77 F (20 C and 25 C). It can be exposed to temperatures between 59 F and 86 F (15 C and 30 C), for shorter periods of time, such as when transporting it. Store in a cool and dry place.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of naproxen?

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

  • Upset stomach or stomach pain
  • Constipation or diarrhea
  • Gas or heartburn
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Headache
  • Rash
  • Bruising
  • Flu-like symptoms

There may be other side effects of naproxen that are not listed here. Contact your health care 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 (800-332-1088). 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 naproxen?

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

Heart Attack and Stroke. Naproxen can increase your risk of a heart attack or stroke that can lead to death. This risk is higher in people with existing heart disease and with longer use of naproxen and higher doses. Do not take naproxen if you have had a recent heart attack without talking to your health care provider. This could raise 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. 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 health care provider right away if you notice signs of bleeding including easy bruising or bleeding.

Stomach Bleeding. 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 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 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

Anemia. Naproxen may cause anemia, which is a condition that causes low levels of red blood cells. Tell your health care 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

Liver Damage. Liver damage, also called hepatotoxicity, can happen when taking naproxen. Call your health care 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)

Increased Blood Pressure (Hypertension). Naproxen may increase your blood pressure or make it worse if you have a history of high blood pressure. Call your health care 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 in breathing
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Blurry or other changes to vision
  • Anxiety
  • Buzzing in the ears
  • Nosebleed
  • Feeling of skipped heart beats

Heart Failure. Naproxen may increase your risk for heart failure. Tell your health care provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of heart failure.

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

Kidney Damage. Kidney damage can happen when taking naproxen. Call your health care 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 (edema)
  • Weakness or unusual tiredness
  • Trouble catching your breath or chest discomfort
  • Confusion
  • Nausea
  • Seizures

Increased Potassium (Hyperkalemia). Naproxen can increase the potassium levels in your blood (hyperkalemia), especially if your kidneys are not working as well as they should. Mild increases in potassium may not cause any symptoms. Stop taking the medicine and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of sudden, severe high potassium.

  • Chest pain or fast or abnormal heartbeat
  • Shortness of breath
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Unable to move your muscles

Severe Allergic Reactions. Naproxen can 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 or skin rash
  • Bumps on the skin called hives that can be red, pink, white, or brown depending on your skin tone
  • 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 (jaundice)

Severe Skin Reactions. NSAIDs, including naproxen, can cause rare but serious skin reactions such as exfoliative dermatitis, Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS), toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), and fixed drug eruption (FDE), that can lead to death if not treated. If you get a rash or blisters, stop taking naproxen and call your health care provider right away. Get emergency help if you have any of the following symptoms.

  • Painful skin that looks burned or peels off
  • A flat rash or areas of skin discoloration
  • Blisters or sores on the skin, mouth, nose, eyes, or genitals
  • Red, painful, or watery eyes
  • Flu-like symptoms including fever, chills, or muscle aches
  • Darkened patches or blisters that appear in the same place after taking the medicine

 

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not take naproxen?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not take naproxen.

  • Aleve
  • Anaprox
  • Naprelan
  • Naprosyn
  • Naproxen
  • Aspirin or any other medicine known as a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific naproxen products they stock.

Heart Surgery. Do not take naproxen right before or after a heart surgery called coronary artery bypass graft (CABG). Taking naproxen during this time can increase your risk of heart attack or stroke.

What should I know about naproxen before taking it?

If naproxen was prescribed to you by a health care provider, take it as prescribed. Do not share the medicine with other people, even if they have the same condition as you. It may harm them.

If you are taking over-the-counter naproxen, follow the instructions on the product label.

You may take naproxen with food or milk if stomach upset occurs.

If you take naproxen oral liquid, shake the bottle gently before each dose. Use an accurate measuring device to measure your dose of naproxen oral liquid. A household spoon is not an accurate measuring device and may cause you to take the wrong dose. Ask your pharmacist what measuring device to use.

Keep naproxen out of the reach of children.

People aged 60 years and older can be at a greater risk for some side effects of naproxen. Talk to your health care provider about your risks if you are in this age group.

What should I tell my health care provider before taking naproxen?

Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them know if naproxen is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your health care provider if you have any of the following.

  • Heart problems such as heart failure  or recent heart attack
  • Bleeding problems
  • Kidney or liver problems
  • Fluid retention (edema)
  • Stomach ulcers, bleeding, or other stomach problems like heartburn
  • High blood pressure
  • Asthma
  • Stroke

Other Medicines and Supplements. Naproxen may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before taking naproxen, tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.

Pregnancy. Do not take naproxen at 20 weeks or later in pregnancy without talking to your health care provider. Taking naproxen during this time may cause harm to a fetus and complications during delivery. Tell your health care provider if you are or plan to become pregnant. Your health care provider will let you know if you should take naproxen while you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant.

Breastfeeding. Naproxen passes into breast milk. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Your health care provider will let you know if you should take naproxen while breastfeeding. 

Interactions

Does naproxen interact with foods or drinks?

There are no known interactions between naproxen and foods or drinks.

Drinking alcohol while taking naproxen increases your risk of stomach ulcers and bleeding. It is best to limit the amount of alcohol you drink.

Does naproxen interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?

Always tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.

In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any of the following before taking naproxen.

  • Any other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), such as ibuprofen, and others, which is in many prescription and OTC products for pain, swelling, and fever
  • A corticosteroid, such as dexamethasone, methylprednisolone, or prednisone, which is a medicine for certain inflammatory conditions
  • Aspirin, which is in many prescription and OTC products, including those for pain, swelling, and fever
  • A blood thinner, which is a medicine used to treat or prevent blood clots
  • An angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor, such as enalapril or lisinopril, which is a medicine for high blood pressure, heart failure, and certain kidney problems
  • An angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB), such as losartan or valsartan, which is a medicine for high blood pressure, heart failure, and other heart conditions
  • A beta-blocker, such as atenolol (Tenormin), metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL, and others), or propranolol (Inderal LA, Innopran XL), which is a medicine that may be used for certain heart conditions or to lower blood pressure
  • A selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), such as fluoxetine, paroxetine, or sertraline, which is a medicine commonly used for anxiety and depression
  • A serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI), such as duloxetine or venlafaxine, which is a medicine commonly used for anxiety and depression
  • Cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune, and others), which is a medicine that suppresses your immune system
  • A diuretic, also called a water pill, which is a medicine used to reduce edema (fluid retention) and blood pressure
  • Lithium, which is a medicine for certain mental health conditions
  • Pemetrexed (Alimta, Pemfexy), which is a medicine to treat certain cancers
  • Digoxin, which is a medicine used to treat heart failure or certain abnormal heart rhythms
  • Cholestyramine (Prevalite, Questran), which is a medicine for high cholesterol
  • Probenecid, which is a medicine commonly used for gout
  • An antacid that contains magnesium or aluminum
  • Sucralfate, which is a medicine used for stomach ulcers

Does interact with other drugs you are taking?

Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker

Overdose/Missed Dose

What should I do if I accidentally take too much naproxen?

If you or someone else has taken too much naproxen, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

What should I do if I miss a dose of naproxen?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and only take the next dose. Do not take double or extra doses.