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Naproxen

Common Brand Name(s): Aleve, Aleve Back & Muscle Pain, Aleve Headache Pain, Anaprox DS, EC-Naprosyn, Menstridol, Naprelan, Naprosyn

Common Generic Name(s): naproxen, naproxen Na, naproxen sodium

Pronunciation: nah-PROX-en

Drug Classes: nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)

Availability: prescription and over-the-counter (OTC), generic available

How is it used? capsule that is swallowed, liquid that is swallowed, tablet that is swallowed

Key takeaways:

Naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn) is available as a prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) medication. The prescription version comes as tablets and an oral liquid. The OTC version comes as tablets and capsules.

The typical OTC naproxen dosage for adults and children at least 12 years old is 220 mg by mouth every 8 to 12 hours as needed. Prescription naproxen dosages depend on your health condition, and are based on body weight for children ages 2 years and older.

Naproxen is available as a brand-name medication. But you can also find it as a lower-cost generic. GoodRx can help make your prescription more affordable.

What is Naproxen?

Naproxen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). It works by reducing hormones that cause inflammation and pain in the body.

Naproxen is used to treat pain or inflammation caused by conditions such as arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, tendinitis, bursitis, gout, or menstrual cramps. It can also be used to treat acute pain caused by other conditions not listed in this medication guide.

The delayed-release or extended-release tablets are slower-acting forms of naproxen that are used only for treating chronic conditions such as arthritis or ankylosing spondylitis. These forms will not work fast enough to treat acute pain.

Naproxen is also available in combination with other medications under the following brand names: Aleve PM, Aleve-D Sinus and Cold, Treximet, and Vimovo

What naproxen dosage forms are available?

Naproxen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). As mentioned above, it’s available both OTC and with a prescription. All forms are available as both brand-name and generic medications.

Prescription-only naproxen comes in the following dosage forms:

Immediate-release (IR) tablets: 250 mg, 275 mg, 375 mg, 500 mg, 550 mg

Delayed-release (DR) tablets: 375 mg, 500 mg

Extended-release (ER) tablets: 375 mg, 500 mg, 750 mg

Oral suspension (liquid): 125 mg/5 mL

OTC naproxen only comes in one dose: 220 mg. But it’s available in both IR tablet and IR capsule forms.

WHY is this medicine prescribed?

Prescription naproxen is used to relieve pain, tenderness, swelling, and stiffness caused by osteoarthritis (arthritis caused by a breakdown of the lining of the joints), rheumatoid arthritis (arthritis caused by swelling of the lining of the joints), juvenile arthritis (a form of joint disease in children), and ankylosing spondylitis (arthritis that mainly affects the spine).

Prescription naproxen tablets, extended-release tablets, and suspension are also used to relieve shoulder pain caused by bursitis (inflammation of a fluid-filled sac in the shoulder joint), tendinitis (inflammation of the tissue that connects muscle to bone), gouty arthritis (attacks of joint pain caused by a build-up of certain substances in the joints), and pain from other causes, including menstrual pain (pain that happens before or during a menstrual period).

Nonprescription naproxen is used to reduce fever and to relieve mild pain from headaches, muscle aches, arthritis, menstrual periods, the common cold, toothaches, and backaches. Naproxen is in a class of medications called NSAIDs. It works by stopping the body's production of a substance that causes pain, fever, and inflammation.

What’s the typical naproxen dosage for adults?

The typical adult naproxen dosage depends on the condition you’re taking it for. But regardless of why you’re taking naproxen, using the lowest effective dose for the shortest time necessary is recommended. This helps lower the risk of side effects.

Rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis

The recommended naproxen dosage for rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis is the same. The usual maximum adult dose of prescription naproxen is 1,100 mg in 24 hours. But during flare-ups, a healthcare provider may raise the dose to a maximum of 1,500 mg per day for up to 6 months.

For IR and DR naproxen tablets, take 1 tablet by mouth twice daily. This could range from 250 mg to 550 mg per dose. IR tablets can be split or crushed if needed. DR tablets should be swallowed whole.

For ER naproxen tablets, take 750 mg to 1,000 mg by mouth once daily. Don’t chew, cut, or crush ER naproxen tablets.

For naproxen oral suspension, take 10 mL to 20 mL (250 mg to 500 mg) by mouth twice daily. Shake the bottle well before each dose. Be sure to use a medication dosing cup or spoon to measure your dose. Household teaspoons may provide too much or too little medication.

Dysmenorrhea, acute tendonitis, and bursitis

The recommended dose of prescription naproxen for primary dysmenorrhea (painful menstrual cramps), acute tendonitis, and bursitis is the same. This dosing is also suggested for the treatment of mild to moderate pain. DR naproxen tablets aren’t FDA approved for these health conditions because they take longer to kick in.

For IR naproxen tablets, there’s two recommended dosing options (neither is preferred over the other):

Take 550 mg by mouth once. After that, take either 550 mg by mouth every 12 hours, or take 275 mg every 6 to 8 hours as needed. If needed, this initial total daily dose can go up to a maximum of 1,375 mg. But it’s not recommended to take more than 1,100 mg total per day after the first day.

Take 500 mg by mouth once. After that, take 250 mg every 6 to 8 hours as needed. Don’t take more than 1,250 mg per day.

For ER naproxen tablets, take 1,000 mg by mouth once daily. A provider may raise this dosage to 1,500 mg by mouth once daily for short periods of time.

For naproxen oral suspension, take 20 mL (500 mg) once, followed by 10 mL (250 mg) every 6 to 8 hours as needed. Don’t take more than 50 mL (1,250 mg) in 24 hours.

Gout attacks

For IR naproxen tablets, there are two recommended dosage options for gout attacks (neither is preferred over the other):

Take 750 mg by mouth once, followed by 250 mg every 8 hours until the gout attack is over.

Take 825 mg by mouth once, followed by 275 mg every 8 hours until the gout attack is over.

For ER naproxen tablets, take 1,000 mg to 1,500 mg by mouth on the first day. After that, take 1,000 mg once daily until the gout attack is over.

For naproxen oral suspension, take 30 mL (750 mg) by mouth once, followed by 10 mL (250 mg) every 8 hours until the gout attack is over.

DR naproxen tablets aren’t approved to treat gout attacks.

OTC naproxen dosage

The recommended adult OTC naproxen dosage for fever or minor aches and pains is as follows:

Take 1 pill (220 mg) by mouth every 8 to 12 hours as needed.

For your first dose, you can take 2 pills (440 mg) within the first hour. You should only take 1 pill during subsequent doses.

Don’t take more than 2 pills (440 mg) in a 12-hour period.

Don’t take more than 3 pills (660 mg) in 24 hours.

What’s the typical naproxen dosage for children?

Most forms of prescription naproxen are FDA approved to treat polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis (PJIA) in children at least 2 years old. ER naproxen tablets aren’t FDA approved for PJIA. Children’s naproxen dosages are based on body weight. The oral suspension is the preferred dosage form because it allows you to measure out lower doses.

Adolescents ages 12 years and older can follow adult doses provided above for OTC naproxen. Don’t give OTC naproxen to children under 12 unless their healthcare provider tells you this is OK.

Polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis

The recommended naproxen dosage for PJIA is 5 mg per kilogram of body weight twice daily. Naproxen tablets aren’t recommended for children weighing less than 110 lbs (50 kg). Below, we’ve provided a table with examples of children’s naproxen dosages for PJIA.

Child’s body weight	Naproxen dosage	Amount of liquid to give
29 lbs (13 kg)	62.5 mg twice daily	2.5 mL twice daily
55 lbs (25 kg)	125 mg twice daily	5 mL twice daily
84 lbs (38 kg)	187.5 mg twice daily	7.5 mL twice daily

Are there any dosage adjustments for medical conditions?

Your dose of naproxen may be different if you have certain health conditions.

Dosage for people with kidney problems

Naproxen isn’t recommended if you have severe kidney damage. The kidneys help clear naproxen from the body. If they’re not working as well as they should, it can cause naproxen to build up.

If your creatinine clearance (a measure of kidney function) is less than 30 mg/mL, naproxen is typically avoided. However, your healthcare provider may recommend lower doses if you have kidney problems but your creatinine clearance is higher than 30 mg/mL.

What happens if you miss a dose of naproxen?

In most cases, you’ll take naproxen as needed for your symptoms. So if you miss a dose, it’s not a big deal. You can take another dose if your symptoms return.

If your healthcare provider has prescribed regular scheduled dosing of naproxen, it’s possible to forget to take a dose. If this happens, you should take the missed dose as soon as you remember. But if it’s getting close to your next dose, skip the missed dose and just take the next scheduled dose. Never take extra doses to make up for a missed dose.

What to avoid?

Avoid drinking alcohol. It may increase your risk of stomach bleeding.

Avoid taking aspirin or other NSAIDs unless your doctor tells you to.

Ask your doctor before taking any other medication for pain, arthritis, fever, or swelling. Many medicines available over the counter contain aspirin, salicylates, or other medicines similar to naproxen (such as ibuprofen or ketoprofen). Taking certain products together can cause you to get too much of this type of medication.

Ask your doctor before using an antacid, and use only the type your doctor recommends. Some antacids can make it harder for your body to absorb naproxen.

Naproxen Side Effects

Common naproxen side effects

Common naproxen side effects may include indigestion, heartburn, stomach pain, nausea, headache, dizziness, drowsiness, bruising, itching, rash, swelling or ringing in your ears.

Serious naproxen side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to naproxen (runny or stuffy nose, wheezing or trouble breathing, hives, swelling in your face or throat) or a severe skin reaction (fever, sore throat, burning eyes, skin pain, red or purple skin rash with blistering and peeling).

Stop using naproxen and seek medical treatment if you have a serious drug reaction that can affect many parts of your body. Symptoms may include skin rash, fever, swollen glands, muscle aches, severe weakness, unusual bruising, or yellowing of your skin or eyes.

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of a heart attack or stroke: chest pain spreading to your jaw or shoulder, sudden numbness or weakness on one side of the body, slurred speech, feeling short of breath.

Stop using naproxen and call your doctor at once if you have:

shortness of breath (even with mild exertion);

swelling or rapid weight gain;

the first sign of any skin rash, no matter how mild;

signs of stomach bleeding - bloody or tarry stools, coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds;

liver problems - nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, tired feeling, flu-like symptoms, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);

kidney problems - little or no urinating, painful or difficult urination, swelling in your feet or ankles, feeling tired or short of breath;

low red blood cells (anemia) - pale skin, feeling light-headed or short of breath, rapid heart rate, trouble concentrating; or

severe skin reaction - fever, sore throat, swelling in your face or tongue, burning in your eyes, skin pain followed by a red or purple skin rash that spreads (especially in the face or upper body) and causes blistering and peeling.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 800-FDA-1088

Before taking this medicine

Naproxen may also cause stomach or intestinal bleeding, which can be fatal. These conditions can occur without warning while you are using this medicine, especially in older adults.

You should not use naproxen if you are allergic to it, or if you have ever had an asthma attack or severe allergic reaction after taking aspirin or an NSAID.

Ask a doctor before giving naproxen to a child younger than 12 years old.

Ask a doctor or pharmacist if it is safe for you to use this medicine if you have:

heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, or if you smoke;

a history of heart attack, stroke, or blood clot;

a history of stomach ulcers or bleeding;

asthma;

liver or kidney disease;

fluid retention: or

if you take aspirin to prevent heart attack or stroke.

If you are pregnant, you should not take naproxen unless your doctor tells you to. Taking a NSAID during the last 20 weeks of pregnancy can cause serious heart or kidney problems in the unborn baby and possible complications with your pregnancy.

It may not be safe to breastfeed while using naproxen. Ask your doctor about any risk.

Naproxen is not approved for use by anyone younger than 2 years old. Do not give this medicine to a child without medical advice.

What should you do if you take too much naproxen?

Symptoms of overdose may include the following:

extreme tiredness

drowsiness

stomach pain

heartburn

nausea

vomiting

slow or difficult breathing

If you take too much naproxen, contact your healthcare provider. If you only took an extra dose, you may only have mild side effects, like nausea or indigestion. But if you took a large amount of naproxen, you may need emergency medical care.

A naproxen overdose can cause serious symptoms. Symptoms might include severe headache, ringing in the ear, and blurred vision. In severe cases, stomach bleeding, kidney damage, and coma are possible.

If you witness a naproxen overdose, call 911 to get emergency medical help. You can also contact Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222.

Warnings

You should not use naproxen if you have a history of allergic reaction to aspirin or other NSAID (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug).

Naproxen can increase your risk of fatal heart attack or stroke, especially if you use it long term or take high doses, or if you have heart disease. Even people without heart disease or risk factors could have a stroke or heart attack while taking this medicine.

Do not use this medicine just before or after heart bypass surgery (coronary artery bypass graft, or CABG).

Get emergency medical help if you have swelling of the face or throat, chest pain, weakness, shortness of breath, slurred speech, or problems with vision or balance. Stop taking naproxen and notify your physician if you notice stomach pain, tiredness or weakness, yellow skin or eyes, nausea, vomiting, bloody or black and sticky bowel movements, skin rash, unexplained weight loss or weight gain, or swelling of the hands and feet.

Naproxen may also cause stomach or intestinal bleeding, which can be fatal. These conditions can occur without warning while you are using this medicine, especially in older adults.

One Final Note..

Naproxen is an oral NSAID that treats pain and inflammation. The OTC naproxen dosage is 220 mg by mouth every 8 to 12 hours as needed. Dosages of prescription naproxen depend on what you’re taking it for. Children’s naproxen dosages are based on body weight. Be sure to follow your healthcare provider’s instructions for how to take naproxen.

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Most recent revision October 14, 2025 10:09:07 AM

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