Key takeaways:
Naproxen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that can help treat pain, fever, and inflammation.
Naproxen can cause side effects like stomach inflammation and intestinal bleeding. Certain foods increase the risk of developing naproxen side effects.
Avoid alcohol while taking naproxen as it can increase the risk for intestinal bleeding. Salty foods, high-potassium foods, and caffeine can also raise the risk of stomach upset while taking naproxen.
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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 inflammation 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 four foods and drinks to avoid.
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 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. No amount of alcohol consumption is risk free. However, 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.
Naproxen makes the body hold onto more sodium and water. And some forms of naproxen also have extra sodium added to them. 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 a healthcare professional 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 were more likely to develop gastritis. This may have to do with the effects of caffeine, the acidic nature of coffee, or both.
It’s not clear how many cups of coffee you need to drink to develop stomach inflammation. 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 1 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 each day.
Naproxen is one of many medications that can increase potassium levels in the blood if you have kidney disease. High potassium levels can lead to serious health complications that affect the heart.
Talk with your primary care provider about your potassium levels if you have:
Diabetes (which can affect your kidneys)
Chronic kidney disease
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.
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 it may minimize stomach upset. It’s also a good idea to drink a full glass of water with your pill. This will help wash it through your stomach as quickly as possible.
Talk with your healthcare team about your other medications. Taking several medications that can also irritate your stomach lining can increase your chances of developing gastritis. Your team may suggest alternatives to some of your medications to help lower your risk of experiencing side effects.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, naproxen can give you diarrhea. In clinical trials, up to 10% of people experienced diarrhea while taking naproxen. Studies also suggest that people taking higher daily doses of naproxen are more likely to develop diarrhea and other GI side effects.
It’s safe to take naproxen with milk. Milk won’t stop your body from absorbing naproxen.
Naproxen and other NSAIDs can raise your blood pressure. Some people are more likely to experience blood pressure changes than others. Naproxen can also affect how well some blood pressure medications work. Talk with your healthcare team if you have high blood pressure or take blood pressure medication. They may ask you to try a different type of medication that’s less likely to affect your blood pressure.
Yes, naproxen can give you diarrhea. In clinical trials, up to 10% of people experienced diarrhea while taking naproxen. Studies also suggest that people taking higher daily doses of naproxen are more likely to develop diarrhea and other GI side effects.
It’s safe to take naproxen with milk. Milk won’t stop your body from absorbing naproxen.
Naproxen and other NSAIDs can raise your blood pressure. Some people are more likely to experience blood pressure changes than others. Naproxen can also affect how well some blood pressure medications work. Talk with your healthcare team if you have high blood pressure or take blood pressure medication. They may ask you to try a different type of medication that’s less likely to affect your blood pressure.
The bottom line
Naproxen is a popular nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used to treat muscle aches, headaches, or menstrual cramps. Stomach inflammation is a common side effect. In rare cases, people can experience gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding and stomach ulcers. Some foods and drinks can increase your risk of developing these complications. If you take naproxen often, limit alcohol, coffee, and foods high in salt and potassium.
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References
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Knights, K. M., et al. (2006). Non-selective nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and cardiovascular events: is aldosterone the silent partner in crime? British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology.
Miller, K. E. (2000). Alcohol and NSAIDs increase risk for upper GI bleeding. American Family Physician.
National Health Service. (2022). Common questions about naproxen.
Nehlig, A. (2022). Effects of coffee on the gastro-intestinal tract: A narrative review and literature update. Nutrients.
Office of Dietary Supplements. (2021). Potassium - fact sheet for consumers. National Institutes of Health.
Sahil, F., et al. (2021). Association between long-term use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and hyperkalemia in diabetic patients. Cureus.
