Naproxen

What is naproxen?

Naproxen is a type of painkiller called a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAIDs) which helps relieve pain and reduce swelling.

Naproxen may be prescribed as tablets or as a liquid. They are also available as effervescent tablets, which dissolve in water, and gastro-resistant tablets which reduce stomach side effects.

During flare-ups naproxen can be especially helpful. It usually starts working within an hour and the effect can last up to 12 hours.

How does naproxen work?

Naproxen works by lowering levels of prostaglandins. These are chemicals in the body that cause inflammation, pain, swelling and fever.

What is naproxen used for?

Naproxen is widely used to relieve pain and inflammation. It is commonly prescribed for conditions such as:

It can also be prescribed for other conditions, such as period pain, migraine or dental pain.

Who can take naproxen?

Naproxen may not be suitable if you:

  • have or have had a stomach ulcer
  • have problems with your heart, liver or kidney
  • have asthma or allergies like hay fever
  • have problems with your blood clotting
  • have had a stroke
  • have Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis
  • are pregnant, breastfeeding or trying to become pregnant
  • have had an allergic reaction or serious side effects on naproxen or other NSAIDs like ibuprofen or aspirin.

How do I take naproxen?

Naproxen is available in several doses. Your dose will depend on what you are taking it for, but the aim is always to use the lowest dose that controls your symptoms. You should ask your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure how much to take.

You should take naproxen with or after food to help reduce the chance of stomach side effects. 

When you take it will depend on your condition. But some people find that taking naproxen in the evening helps with night-time pain.

What are the side effects of naproxen?

Naproxen can sometimes cause side effects especially with long-term use. 

The most common side effects of naproxen include:

  • headaches
  • dizziness
  • tiredness
  • constipation or diarrhoea
  • rashes
  • heartburn or indigestion
  • ringing in the ears (tinnitus).

Stomach side effects

Taking naproxen long term can increase the risk of some more serious stomach problems. This may include stomach ulcers or bleeding. 
If you’ve had these problems before, or if you’re likely to need NSAIDs long-term, your doctor may suggest ways to protect your stomach while taking naproxen. 

You may need to take another medicine called a protein pump inhibitor (PPI) like omeprazole to help protect your stomach.

Heart side effects

Taking naproxen for a long period may slightly increase the risk of heart or circulation problems especially if you already have heart disease, high blood pressure or high cholesterol. 

For this reason, it should only be used long term under your doctor or healthcare team’s supervision.

Naproxen with other medicines

If you take any other medicines, ask your doctor or healthcare team before taking naproxen. They can make sure it’s safe for you to take.
Some medicines may not mix well with naproxen, including:

  • blood thinners like warfarin
  • steroid medicines like prednisolone
  • antidepressants like citalopram
  • medicines that make you pee more (diuretics) like furosemide
  • certain medicines that treat heart problems or high blood pressure like ramipril
  • medicines to treat rheumatoid arthritis like methotrexate.

Other NSAIDs and painkillers

You should not take naproxen at the same time as other NSAIDs, like ibuprofen or aspirin. It can be taken with paracetamol or co-codamol if you need extra pain relief.

If naproxen doesn’t give enough relief or if you need pain relief over a longer period of time, talk to your doctor or healthcare team. They may prescribe a different NSAID or suggest combining treatments to get better control of your symptoms.

Find out more about other NSAIDs that are available.

Can I take naproxen while pregnant or breastfeeding?

Naproxen is not usually recommended during pregnancy and should be avoided in the last 3 months unless your doctor or healthcare professional says otherwise.

You should also avoid naproxen if you’re breastfeeding. Ibuprofen is usually preferred. Naproxen may sometimes be used for a short time if your doctor or healthcare professional says it's suitable.

Does naproxen affect fertility?

If you’re trying for a baby, naproxen may make it harder for women to get pregnant. This may be more likely if you have taken naproxen for a long time. However, this effect is reduced after it is stopped.
It is not known whether naproxen affects male fertility.

Can I drink alcohol while on naproxen?

You should try to limit how much alcohol you drink. This is because alcohol can increase the risk of side effects such as stomach ulcers or bleeding.

National guidelines recommend you do not drink more than 14 units per week. This is around 6 medium glasses of wine or 6 pints of beer. You should also spread these units evenly across the week.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

NSAIDs: Your questions answered

NSAIDs, or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, are types of drugs called analgesics, which are used to treat pain. The difference between NSAIDs and painkillers is that painkillers target the levels of pain you’re feeling by interrupting pain signals before they get to the brain whereas NSAIDs help manage pain and fever, mostly by reducing inflammation.

Find out more about NSAIDs

Frequently asked questions 

Is naproxen the same as ibuprofen?

No, naproxen is not the same as ibuprofen. While they are both in the same family of drugs (NSAIDs), they work slightly differently to each other.

How long does it take for naproxen to work?

Naproxen usually works within an hour of taking it. But it may take a few days for it to reduce inflammation.

What should I avoid when taking naproxen?

There is nothing you need to specifically avoid when taking naproxen. You can eat and drink as you normally would.

But if you take any other medicines, it’s best to speak to your doctor or pharmacist before taking it. They’ll make sure it’s right for you and give you advice about how to use naproxen.

Can I buy naproxen over the counter?

Yes, you can buy naproxen over the counter in most pharmacies. It will usually be behind the counter, and you will need to ask a pharmacist for it. They may ask you a few questions and make sure it’s right for you to take.

If you buy naproxen over the counter, you should not use it for more than 3 days. If you still have symptoms after 3 days, you should see your GP for more advice.

Sources

Last review: September 2026
Next review: September 2029

Reviewed by

This article has been reviewed by Rebecca Houston, the lead pharmacist for rheumatology, bone health and clinical trials at The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital.

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