Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), long-actingAvailable without a prescription

Alevenaproxen sodium

Also sold as: Naprosyn, Anaprox, naproxen (generics), Naproxen EC

The longer-acting over-the-counter anti-inflammatory — fewer doses a day, but the same NSAID cautions for longer.

Quick answer

What it is: A long-acting NSAID from the same family as ibuprofen, blocking the COX enzymes that produce inflammatory prostaglandins.
What it's used for: Pain that needs cover through the day or night — arthritis, back pain, period cramps, and injuries with swelling.
Worth knowing: Taken every 8 to 12 hours with food rather than every 4 to 6, which suits ongoing pain better than short bursts.
Main safety point: All the NSAID cautions apply — stomach, kidneys, blood pressure and blood thinners — and they apply for longer because the drug stays around longer.

Not sure which option is right for you? Pill4Me pharmacists in Chilliwack can help.

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Drug class

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), long-acting

Use in Canada

Widely used both over the counter as naproxen sodium 220 mg and on prescription at higher strengths

What is Aleve?

Naproxen relieves pain, reduces inflammation, and lowers fever. It is used for osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, back and neck pain, menstrual cramps, tendon and muscle injuries, gout attacks, and migraine in some patients. Its long duration makes it a common choice where pain returns before a shorter-acting anti-inflammatory would be due again.

How Aleve works

Like ibuprofen, naproxen blocks cyclo-oxygenase enzymes and reduces the production of prostaglandins that cause swelling, pain sensitivity and fever. What sets it apart is how long it persists in the body: a single dose keeps working for roughly 8 to 12 hours, so it can be taken twice a day instead of four or more times.

Forms and strengths

Over the counter, naproxen sodium 220 mg tablets and liquid gels. On prescription, naproxen 250 mg, 375 mg and 500 mg tablets, enteric-coated versions designed to dissolve past the stomach, and a delayed or controlled-release form. Also available combined with a stomach-protecting medication in some prescription products.

How Aleve is taken

Follow the package directions for over-the-counter use — the maximum daily amount permitted without medical advice is well below prescription doses, and it is lower again for adults over 65. Take each dose with food or a full glass of water. Prescription dosing depends on the condition being treated and is set by your prescriber. If you are using naproxen most days, ask whether you should also be on something to protect your stomach.

This is general information, not a dose for you. Dosing depends on the reason you are taking it, your kidney and liver function, your age, and everything else you take — follow the directions on your own label, and ask us if they differ from what you read here.

If you miss a dose

If naproxen has been prescribed on a schedule, take the missed dose with food when you remember, unless the next dose is nearly due — in that case skip it rather than doubling up, since two doses close together raise the risk of stomach injury. Used over the counter for occasional pain, there is no missed dose to make up.

Side effects

Common — usually manageable

Heartburn, indigestion or stomach discomfort
Nausea
Headache or dizziness
Drowsiness in some people
Fluid retention and mild swelling
A modest rise in blood pressure with regular use

Get medical help for these

Stomach or intestinal bleeding — black or tarry stools, or vomiting blood or coffee-ground material; seek emergency care
Reduced kidney function — much less urine, significant swelling, or unexplained tiredness
Signs of heart attack or stroke: chest pain, one-sided weakness, slurred speech, sudden severe headache — call 911
Severe allergic or skin reaction: facial swelling, wheeze, blistering rash
Worsening heart failure — new breathlessness or rapid fluid weight gain

Important warnings

Because naproxen stays in the body 8 to 12 hours, a side effect that does appear tends to last longer than it would with ibuprofen. In older adults this is a meaningful difference.

Do not combine naproxen with ibuprofen, diclofenac, aspirin for pain, or any other NSAID — the risks add up without adding benefit.

With apixaban, rivaroxaban, warfarin, clopidogrel or daily low-dose aspirin, naproxen substantially raises bleeding risk. Ask before buying it.

If you take an ACE inhibitor or ARB together with a diuretic, adding an NSAID puts real strain on the kidneys — particularly during illness, heat, or dehydration.

Avoid in the third trimester of pregnancy, and check before using at any stage.

Who should take extra care

Older adults: Naproxen's long duration means side effects persist longer; over-the-counter daily limits are lower over 65.
History of ulcers or GI bleeding: A stomach-protecting medication or a non-NSAID option is usually the safer route.
Kidney disease: NSAIDs reduce kidney blood flow — risky during illness, heat or dehydration.
Heart failure or high blood pressure: Fluid retention and raised blood pressure work against your other medications.
People on blood thinners: Bleeding risk is additive with apixaban, rivaroxaban, warfarin, clopidogrel and aspirin.
Pregnancy: Avoided in the third trimester; check at any stage.

Who should not take it

Active stomach or duodenal ulcer, or a previous NSAID-related bleed
Severe heart failure
Severe kidney impairment
Third trimester of pregnancy
Asthma, hives or severe reaction previously triggered by aspirin or another NSAID
Around the time of coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery

Drug interactions

Anticoagulants and antiplatelets — apixaban, rivaroxaban, warfarin, clopidogrel and aspirin all add to bleeding risk. ACE inhibitors, ARBs and diuretics — reduced kidney perfusion and blunted blood pressure control. Lithium and methotrexate — naproxen raises their levels and toxicity risk. SSRIs and SNRIs — increased gastrointestinal bleeding risk. Corticosteroids — increased ulcer risk. Other NSAIDs should not be combined. Naproxen can also interfere with the antiplatelet effect of low-dose aspirin depending on timing.

Commonly asked about alongside Aleve: Advil, Tylenol, Voltaren, Aspirin, Eliquis.

This is not a complete list. If you take several medications, or buy anything over the counter, a pharmacist medication review is the reliable way to catch interactions that matter.

Coverage in British Columbia

Over-the-counter naproxen sodium is generally not a PharmaCare benefit. Prescription naproxen may be covered depending on your plan. Coverage may depend on indication, PharmaCare plan and Special Authority requirements — ask Pill4Me Pharmacy to check your coverage, or call 604-705-3644.

Coverage may depend on indication, PharmaCare plan and Special Authority requirements. Ask Pill4Me Pharmacy to check your coverage, or see BC PharmaCare.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between naproxen and ibuprofen?

They are both NSAIDs and work the same way; the practical difference is duration. Ibuprofen lasts about 4 to 6 hours, naproxen about 8 to 12. That makes naproxen convenient for arthritis or back pain that needs cover through the day or overnight, and ibuprofen easier to control for short episodes. The trade-off is that if naproxen upsets your stomach, it does so for longer. Neither is safer than the other in any general sense — the right choice depends on your pain pattern and your medical history.

Can I take naproxen with Tylenol?

Generally yes — acetaminophen works by a different route and does not add to the stomach, kidney or bleeding risks of an NSAID, so the two are often combined for stronger relief. What you must not do is combine naproxen with ibuprofen, diclofenac or aspirin taken for pain, because those all belong to the same family. If you are unsure what is in a product you already take, bring it in and we will check.

Is naproxen better for the heart than other anti-inflammatories?

Some evidence suggests naproxen carries a comparatively lower cardiovascular risk than certain other NSAIDs, which is why it is sometimes preferred when an anti-inflammatory is needed by someone with cardiac risk factors. That is a relative difference, not an absence of risk — naproxen still raises blood pressure, causes fluid retention, and carries stomach and kidney risks. This is a decision to make with your prescriber or pharmacist rather than from a package label.

How long can I use over-the-counter naproxen?

Over-the-counter use is meant to be short-term — a few days at most for pain, and less for fever. Ongoing use should be supervised, because the risks that matter with NSAIDs (stomach bleeding, kidney function, blood pressure) build with duration rather than appearing suddenly. If naproxen is the only thing controlling your pain, that is a good reason to have the underlying problem looked at.

Can I take naproxen if I have high blood pressure?

It needs care. NSAIDs cause the body to hold on to sodium and fluid, which raises blood pressure and works against medications such as ramipril, telmisartan, or amlodipine. Occasional use is usually manageable for most people with well-controlled blood pressure, but regular use is worth reviewing — we can look at your readings and suggest an alternative if it is pushing them up.

Is naproxen covered by BC PharmaCare?

The over-the-counter version usually is not. Prescription naproxen may be, depending on your plan. Coverage may depend on indication, PharmaCare plan and Special Authority requirements — ask Pill4Me Pharmacy to check your coverage, or call 604-705-3644 and we will confirm what applies to you.

Related medications

Advil (ibuprofen)Tylenol (acetaminophen)Voltaren (diclofenac)Aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid (ASA))Eliquis (apixaban)

Compare your options

Compare acetaminophen, ibuprofen, naproxen and Voltaren

Not sure which option is right for you?

You don't need an appointment to ask. Our pharmacists can check this against your other medications and your health history, in the store or over the phone — there's no charge for the conversation.

Call 604-705-3644 Minor ailments service Transfer my prescription

Pill4Me Pharmacy is at 5625 Promontory Rd Unit 101, Chilliwack, BC. We deliver free to Chilliwack, Sardis, Promontory, Vedder and Yarrow, and you can reach a pharmacist directly at 604-705-3644.