Naproxen
Prescription ·Exploratory record · not publication-reviewed ·Updated July 13, 2026
A long-acting nonselective NSAID with analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and antipyretic properties. Naproxen's longer half-life allows twice-daily dosing, making it convenient for chronic inflammatory conditions. Among NSAIDs, naproxen may carry the lowest cardiovascular risk, making it a preferred choice for patients with cardiovascular concerns.
Exploratory record, not a reviewed medical publication.
See the editorial and medical-review policies for the publication gate.
This generated database record has not completed a claim-level review by a qualified human medical reviewer. Bibliography links and evidence labels are not approval. The page remains available for reference and is excluded from search indexing.
What the research says.
A quick, data-only summary. The full evidence, dosing, and sources are below.
A long-acting nonselective NSAID with analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and antipyretic properties. NutriStack rates the supporting evidence as strong. Common adult dosing is OTC: 220 mg every 8–12 hours (max 660 mg/day); Rx: 250–500 mg twice daily (max 1500 mg/day) (as prescribed by your physician), though a prescriber sets the actual dose. This profile indexes 11 sources.
- Relief of mild-to-moderate pain6
- Treatment of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis
- Treatment of ankylosing spondylitis
- Dysmenorrhea relief
- Gout flare management
The bottom line
Evidence rating strong. Most-documented uses: relief of mild-to-moderate pain, treatment of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, treatment of ankylosing spondylitis. 11 sources indexed (2001–2024), with 0 interaction records on file.
How it works, mechanistically.
Core mechanism
Non-selectively inhibits both COX-1 and COX-2 enzymes, thereby decreasing the synthesis of prostaglandins involved in pain, inflammation, and fever. Naproxen's inhibition of thromboxane A2 also produces a mild antiplatelet effect, which may contribute to its more favorable cardiovascular safety profile compared to other NSAIDs.
Dosing & protocol.
Take with food or a full glass of water to minimize GI irritation
Full safety detail.
Side effects
- Dyspepsia and heartburn
- GI bleeding and ulceration
- Nausea
- Headache and dizziness
- Peripheral edema
- Elevated blood pressure
- Renal impairment
- Rash
Sources, by evidence tier.
Numbered references. Citations throughout the page link here.
Meta-analyses & systematic reviews
5- 1A systematic review and meta-analysis of naproxen for prevention heterotopic ossification after hip surgeryPMIDZhang AH, Chen X, Zhao QX et al. · Medicine · 2019
Zhang AH, Chen X, Zhao QX et al.. A systematic review and meta-analysis of naproxen for prevention heterotopic ossification after hip surgery. Medicine. 2019
- 2Efficacy of naproxen prophylaxis for the prevention of heterotopic ossification after hip surgery: a meta-analysisPMIDMa R, Chen GH, Zhao LJ et al. · Journal of orthopaedic surgery and research · 2018
Ma R, Chen GH, Zhao LJ et al.. Efficacy of naproxen prophylaxis for the prevention of heterotopic ossification after hip surgery: a meta-analysis. Journal of orthopaedic surgery and research. 2018
- 3Individual NSAIDs and upper gastrointestinal complications: a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies (the SOS project).PMIDCastellsague J, Riera-Guardia N, Calingaert B et al. · Drug Safety · 2012
Systematic review of observational studies found naproxen had a relatively lower risk of upper gastrointestinal complications compared to other NSAIDs like ketorolac and piroxicam, though risk was still elevated vs non-use.
- 4Meta-analysis of the efficacy and safety of naproxen sodium in the acute treatment of migrainePMIDSuthisisang CC, Poolsup N, Suksomboon N et al. · Headache · 2010
Suthisisang CC, Poolsup N, Suksomboon N et al.. Meta-analysis of the efficacy and safety of naproxen sodium in the acute treatment of migraine. Headache. 2010
- 5A look at the safety profile of over-the-counter naproxen sodium: a meta-analysisPMIDBansal V, Dex T, Proskin H et al. · Journal of clinical pharmacology · 2001
Bansal V, Dex T, Proskin H et al.. A look at the safety profile of over-the-counter naproxen sodium: a meta-analysis. Journal of clinical pharmacology. 2001
Randomized controlled trials
1- 6Naproxen adjunct to fluoxetine for moderate-to-severe obsessive-compulsive disorder: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trialPMIDShamabadi A, Motavalian Z, Farahmand Y et al. · Psychiatry and clinical neurosciences · 2024
Shamabadi A, Motavalian Z, Farahmand Y et al.. Naproxen adjunct to fluoxetine for moderate-to-severe obsessive-compulsive disorder: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Psychiatry and clinical neurosciences. 2024
Reference material
5- 7Coxib and traditional NSAID Trialists' (CNT) Collaboration. Vascular and upper gastrointestinal effects of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs: meta-analyses of individual participant data from randomised trials. Lancet. 2013.Source linkedPMID
- 8Derry S et al. Naproxen with or without an antiemetic for acute migraine headaches in adults. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2013.Source linkedPMID
- 9McGettigan P, Henry D. Cardiovascular risk with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs: systematic review of population-based controlled observational studies. PLoS Med. 2011.Source linkedPMID
- 10Zhang H, Wu Y, Lin Z et al.. Naproxen for the treatment of neoplastic fever: A PRISMA-compliant systematic review and meta-analysis. Medicine. 2019Source linkedPMID
- 11Wilcha RJ, Afridi SK, Barbanti P et al.. Sumatriptan-naproxen sodium in migraine: A review. European journal of neurology. 2024Source linkedPMID
Common questions.
Quick answers about Naproxen, drawn from the data on this page.
What is Naproxen?
A long-acting nonselective NSAID with analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and antipyretic properties. Naproxen's longer half-life allows twice-daily dosing, making it convenient for chronic inflammatory conditions. Among NSAIDs, naproxen may carry the lowest cardiovascular risk, making it a preferred choice for patients with cardiovascular concerns.
What is Naproxen used for?
Commonly cited benefits of Naproxen include: Relief of mild-to-moderate pain; Treatment of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis; Treatment of ankylosing spondylitis; Dysmenorrhea relief; Gout flare management. NutriStack rates the overall evidence as strong.
What is a typical dose of Naproxen?
A typical adult dose of Naproxen is OTC: 220 mg every 8–12 hours (max 660 mg/day); Rx: 250–500 mg twice daily (max 1500 mg/day) (as prescribed by your physician). The commonly recommended form is Tablet (immediate-release or delayed-release) or oral suspension. These are general ranges, not personalized advice; confirm the right dose with a clinician.
What are the side effects of Naproxen?
Reported side effects include dyspepsia and heartburn, gi bleeding and ulceration, nausea, headache and dizziness, peripheral edema, elevated blood pressure. This is educational information; check with a healthcare professional before use.
How strong is the evidence for Naproxen?
NutriStack rates this as Strong, meaning multiple high-quality meta-analyses or systematic reviews converge on the same finding. Full tier criteria are at https://nutristackapp.com/methodology/evidence-tiers.
Use this with your stack
Naproxen in NutriStack.
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