4 Foods to Avoid If You’re Taking Naproxen

Naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn) is a popular nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used to  relieve pain, fever, and inflammation from conditions like arthritis, menstrual cramps, and migraines.

Naproxen can provide great relief from discomfort, but like any medication, it can cause side effects. Stomach irritation is the most common naproxen-related side effect. But in rare cases, naproxen can affect the kidneys, heart, and liver, and even cause gastrointestinal bleeding. 

Certain foods can increase your risk of developing naproxen side effects or make these side effects worse. If you’re taking naproxen, here are five foods and drinks to avoid.  

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1. Alcohol

It’s a good idea to avoid alcohol as much as possible while taking naproxen or any NSAID. Mixing alcohol with any NSAID can increase your risk of developing stomach and intestinal side effects like stomach pain and discomfort. Both NSAIDs and alcohol irritate the lining of the stomach leading to gastritis (stomach inflammation) and stomach ulcers. 

This inflammation not only causes pain but it can also increase the risk of developing gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding. GI bleeding can be life-threatening, and most people need treatment in the hospital to stop the bleeding. 

The risk of GI bleeding is higher if you regularly consume alcohol in moderate to heavy amounts. While no amount of alcohol consumption is risk-free, you’re less likely to develop complications like bleeding and ulcers if you occasionally consume alcohol while taking naproxen. Some experts say you don’t have to completely avoid alcohol while taking naproxen, but it’s best to avoid mixing the two as much as possible.

2. Ultra-processed foods 

Ultra-processed foods are any foods that have been dramatically changed from their natural state. Most packaged and pre-prepared foods are ultra-processed. These foods contain a lot of salt, which helps them taste better and last longer on shelves. 

But it’s a good idea to avoid foods high in salt while taking naproxen. Naproxen makes the body hold onto more sodium and water. And some forms of naproxen also have extra sodium added to them. 

These aren’t issues for most people. The kidneys will simply adjust their response and get rid of extra salt and water. But if you have chronic kidney disease or heart failure, your body may have a hard time processing this extra fluid and salt. 

So if you have one of these conditions, talk with your healthcare provider and nutritionist about how to adjust your diet while taking naproxen. They may suggest adjusting how much salt and fluid you consume while you're taking naproxen. 

If you don’t have one of these conditions, you can still consider lowering the amount of ultra-processed foods you eat. Focusing on whole foods and reducing how much salt you eat can improve your overall health. 

3. Coffee 

Many of us enjoy a cup of coffee — or two — in the morning. But combining naproxen and coffee can increase the risk of stomach inflammation (gastritis). In studies, people who drank coffee had an increased risk of developing stomach irritation. This may have to do with the effects of caffeine, the acidic nature of coffee, or both.

But it’s important to point out that you don’t have to get rid of coffee completely while taking naproxen. Not everyone who drinks coffee while taking naproxen will develop gastritis. 

It’s not clear how many cups of coffee you need to drink to develop stomach irritation. In the studies mentioned above, people who drank 1 to 3 cups of coffee were less likely to report stomach upset. So if you’re not a heavy coffee drinker, you may be able to enjoy your daily cup (or two) without any symptoms.

But if you have a history of gastroesophageal reflux (GERD) or stomach ulcers, keep in mind that coffee can cause these conditions to flare. And if you’re already adding extra strain to your intestines by taking naproxen, even one cup of coffee may be enough to trigger inflammation. 

4. High-potassium foods

Potassium is an essential mineral that helps control many important functions in your body. Foods that are naturally high in potassium are often a great — and safe — addition to your diet.

But if you’re taking naproxen you may need to be careful about how much potassium you take in each day. Naproxen is one of many medications that can increase potassium levels in the blood. High potassium levels can lead to serious health complications that affect the heart.

But most people don’t have to worry about having high potassium levels while taking naproxen. For most people, the kidneys will filter out any extra potassium and keep the overall amount in your body at a safe level. 

But if you have a medical condition that affects your kidneys, you may be at risk for high potassium levels. You may also be at higher risk as you get older because your kidneys need to work harder to balance your potassium levels.

Talk with your healthcare provider about your potassium levels if you have diabetes, chronic kidney disease, or another condition that affects your kidneys. They may suggest limiting how much potassium you eat or have regular blood checks to monitor your potassium levels if you need to take naproxen for a longer period of time. 

What can you do to protect your stomach when taking naproxen? 

To protect your stomach while taking naproxen, avoid foods that can irritate your stomach and trigger any underlying conditions like reflux or ulcers. 

The way you take naproxen can also affect how your body responds to it. Try not to take naproxen on an empty stomach. It’s a good idea to take naproxen with meals or immediately after meals. This gives your stomach some protection and may minimize stomach upset. It’s also a good idea to drink a full glass of water with your pill to help wash it through your stomach as quickly as possible. 

Talk with your healthcare provider about your other medications. Taking several medications that can also irritate your stomach lining can increase your chances of developing stomach irritation. Your healthcare provider may suggest alternatives to some of your medications to help lower your risk of experiencing side effects. 

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Written by:

Brian Clista, MD

Dr. Clista is a board-certified pediatrician who works in private practice in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He previously served as a National Health Service Corporation Scholar in the inner city of Pittsburgh for 11 years.

Edited by:

Patricia Pinto-Garcia, MD, MPH

Patricia Pinto-Garcia, MD, MPH, is a medical editor at GoodRx. She is a licensed, board-certified pediatrician with more than a decade of experience in academic medicine.

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