8 Naproxen Side Effects You Should Know About

Life comes with its share of minor aches and pains. In fact, there’s often a whole aisle of the pharmacy devoted to over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers. And that’s where you can find naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), a popular OTC nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). Or, depending on your health condition, you may be able to get a prescription for a higher dose or liquid form of naproxen from your healthcare provider.

Before you take naproxen, however, it’s important to know what side effects to watch out for. Regardless of whether they’re mild or potentially serious, knowing about the side effects can help you stay safe.

Naproxen side effects at a glance

Like other NSAIDs, naproxen has several common side effects that are stomach-related. But there are several other side effects to keep in mind when taking the medication.

Common (affecting at least 3% of people in clinical trials) naproxen side effects include:

• Heartburn

• Nausea

• Stomach pain

• Constipation

• Headache

• Dizziness

• Drowsiness

• Itching

• Mild rashes

• Tinnitus (ringing in the ear)

• Swelling of the legs or ankles

Rare but serious naproxen side effects include:

• Gastrointestinal (GI) ulcers or bleeding

• Raised blood pressure

• Kidney damage

• Worsening of heart failure

• Worsening of asthma symptoms

• Serious skin reactions

• Birth defects

• Higher risk of heart attacks

• Higher risk of strokes

Taking the lowest effective dose of naproxen for the shortest time possible can help limit or prevent complications. Below, we dive further into eight naproxen side effects and what to know about them.

1. Stomach-related side effects

Because of how it works to relieve pain and inflammation (swelling), naproxen can irritate the lining of your stomach and intestines. So stomach-related issues are some of the most common naproxen side effects. These include heartburn, nausea, and stomach pain.

To help limit stomach-related side effects, it’s best to take naproxen with food or milk. You can also ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist to recommend an OTC heartburn medication. Heartburn medication can be especially helpful if you take naproxen regularly.

If you have severe or persistent stomach-related side effects with naproxen, let your provider know. This can be a symptom of GI ulcers or bleeding, which are serious side effects of naproxen.

2. Dizziness

Some people may feel dizzy or lightheaded while taking naproxen. It’s not fully understood why this happens. But it could be a sign that the dosage you’re taking is too high. Luckily, this naproxen side effect will likely go away once you lower your dosage or stop taking the medication.

Make sure to ask your healthcare provider before changing your dosage or stopping treatment with naproxen. Dizziness can have many causes. And your provider may want to evaluate you to find out what’s causing your dizziness before making any medication changes.

If you’re feeling a little dizzy after taking naproxen, there are some strategies that may help. Make sure you’re hydrated, and try sitting or lying down. Avoid sudden position changes, like standing up too fast. And steer clear of activities that require a lot of balance until the dizziness passes.

3. Headache

If you're using naproxen to treat a headache, you might be surprised to see headaches listed as a potential side effect of the medication. Sometimes, there can be too much of a good thing. And that’s the case when it comes to naproxen and rebound headaches.

Rebound headaches, also called medication overuse headaches, happen when you take a headache medication too often. Instead of your headaches going away, you wind up having more of them. If you're taking naproxen 15 days or more per month, some of your headaches could be due to medication overuse.

Talk to your healthcare provider if you’re having frequent or severe headaches while taking naproxen. They may screen you for rebound headaches or recommend medication to help prevent headaches.

4. Raised blood pressure

Taking naproxen may raise your blood pressure. This is because naproxen can cause your body to retain extra salt and water (fluid). And this can raise blood pressure slightly.

If you already have high blood pressure (hypertension), this side effect can make it difficult for you to keep your blood pressure within a healthy range. So, if you have hypertension or take blood pressure medication, ask your healthcare provider if occasional naproxen is OK for you. They may recommend checking your blood pressure at home more often or suggest a different pain reliever.

Good to know: All NSAIDs can raise your blood pressure. Naproxen has a lower risk of this side effect than many other NSAIDs.

5. Swelling of the legs or ankles

Naproxen can cause swelling in the legs or ankles. As with raised blood pressure, this happens because naproxen causes your body to hold onto more fluid and salt.

Swelling related to naproxen is typically mild and should resolve if you stop taking the medication. But, in some cases, extra fluid can be harmful. If you have heart failure, for example, naproxen could worsen your condition.

Symptoms of worsening heart failure can include swelling and sudden weight gain. Speak to your provider before taking naproxen (or any NSAID) if you have heart failure.

6. Stomach ulcers or bleeding

As mentioned earlier, naproxen can irritate your GI tract (your stomach and intestines). In severe cases, it can lead to ulcers or bleeding. This can happen at any time during treatment. But the risk is higher for people taking naproxen at high doses or for a long period of time.

Other people who have a greater risk of GI ulcers and bleeding from naproxen include those who:

• Are over 60 years old

• Have a history of GI ulcers or bleeding

• Drink more than three alcoholic drinks per day

• Take blood thinners, such as warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven)

• Take corticosteroids like prednisone

In addition to taking naproxen with food, ask your healthcare provider whether you should take medication to protect your stomach. They may recommend a proton pump inhibitor like omeprazole (Prilosec) or an H2 blocker like famotidine (Pepcid).

Also, be sure to share your current medication list with your pharmacist. This will help them better screen for naproxen interactions. Combining naproxen with certain medications (in addition to those listed above) may make GI complications more likely.

7. Kidney damage

Naproxen can impact your kidneys. It temporarily decreases blood flow to the kidneys. And, in severe cases, it can cause acute (sudden) kidney damage. This side effect may sound scary. But it’s rarely a problem for people who have normal kidney function and only take naproxen occasionally.

If you have existing kidney problems, you may have a higher risk of kidney damage related to naproxen. Your risk may also be higher if you’re taking naproxen at high doses or for a long period of time.

Certain medications can increase your risk for this naproxen side effect, too. For instance, common blood pressure medications can make kidney damage related to naproxen more likely. These include diuretics and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors.

8. Heart attack

Although rare, it’s important to know that taking any NSAID can raise your risk of having a heart attack. This risk is lowest with naproxen, but it’s still present. And the risk goes up with higher doses and long-term use of naproxen.

If you have heart problems or heart disease, talk to your healthcare provider about what pain medications are safe for you to take. And be sure to avoid naproxen if you’ve recently had a heart attack.

When should I contact my healthcare provider about naproxen side effects?

Mild naproxen side effects — like heartburn, dizziness, or headaches — can usually be managed at home. But contact your healthcare provider if you have side effects that are persistent or become severe.

There are some symptoms that require immediate attention. Seek medical help right away if you experience:

• Blood in your stool or vomit

• Stools that are black or sticky like tar

• Chest pain

• Shortness of breath

• Weakness on one side of the body

• Slurring of speech

• A severe headache with vision changes

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Written by:

Tegan Smedley, PharmD, APh

Tegan Smedley, PharmD, APh, has 10 years of experience as a pharmacist. She has worked in a variety of settings, including retail, hospital, and ambulatory care.

Edited by:

Christina Aungst, PharmD

Christina Aungst, PharmD, is a pharmacy editor for GoodRx. She began writing for GoodRx Health in 2019, transitioning from freelance writer to editor in 2021.

Reviewed by:

Austin Ulrich, PharmD, BCACP

Austin Ulrich, PharmD, BCACP, is a board-certified ambulatory care clinical pharmacist. In his early career, he provided direct patient care in a variety of settings, including hospital and community pharmacies, and in a primary care clinic as a clinical pharmacist.

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