{"id":2802,"date":"2023-07-24T05:57:58","date_gmt":"2023-07-24T05:57:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/?page_id=2802"},"modified":"2025-02-07T12:19:12","modified_gmt":"2025-02-07T12:19:12","slug":"aleve-and-alcohol","status":"publish","type":"blog","link":"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/alcohol\/aleve-and-alcohol\/","title":{"rendered":"Aleve (Naproxen) and Alcohol: Effects, Risks &amp; Interactions"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Combining Aleve and alcohol can increase your risk of dangerous side effects like stomach bleeding and should be avoided.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Taking an over-the-counter medication like Aleve (naproxen) is common for pain. However, just because a medication is over the counter does not mean it is free of drug interactions. Aleve and similar medications like Motrin (ibuprofen) can be dangerous to mix with alcohol. For this reason, it\u2019s important to be aware of the possible dangers of mixing alcohol and Aleve.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What Is Naproxen (Aleve)?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Aleve (naproxen) is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). This class of medications relieves fever, pain and inflammation. NSAIDs&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/books\/NBK547742\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">block<\/a>&nbsp;an enzyme called cyclooxygenase, or COX, which plays a role in pain, fever and inflammation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Naproxen is available over the counter under the brand name Aleve and as a generic drug. It comes in 220 mg tablets or capsules; adults are instructed to take one to two of them every 8\u201312 hours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Aleve Side Effects<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Like all medications, Aleve has some common side effects. These&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.drugs.com\/monograph\/naproxen.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">include<\/a>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Abdominal pain<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Indigestion<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Swelling<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Bruising<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Flu-like symptoms<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Headache<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Nausea<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Rash<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Aleve also carries warnings for rare but more serious side effects like:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>High blood pressure<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Stomach bleeding<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Stomach ulcers<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Stomach perforation<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Kidney damage<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>High blood potassium levels<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Heart failure<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Heart attack<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Stroke<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Can You Drink on Aleve?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You should avoid drinking while taking naproxen. Your chances for potentially deadly complications like stomach bleeding&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.drugs.com\/monograph\/naproxen.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">increase<\/a>&nbsp;if you mix alcohol and Aleve.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Risks of Mixing Alcohol With Naproxen and Other NSAIDs<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Aleve is not the only NSAID you should avoid if you drink. Refraining from drinking while taking all NSAIDs, including aspirin, is important because of the increased risks of stomach damage and bleeding while taking an NSAID with alcohol. Dangers&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/pubs.niaaa.nih.gov\/publications\/arh23-1\/40-54.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">include<\/a>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Stomach damage like bleeding and ulcerations due to gastrointestinal injury from alcohol and NSAIDs<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Prolonged bleeding due to NSAIDs, especially when someone is drinking at the same time<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Increased blood alcohol levels when drinking while taking certain NSAIDs like aspirin<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How Long After Taking Aleve Can I Drink?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Aleve is a long-acting NSAID. The drug\u2019s half-life, or how long half of a single dose stays in your system, is&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.drugs.com\/monograph\/naproxen.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">12\u201317<\/a>&nbsp;hours. Because&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/books\/NBK554498\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">it takes<\/a>&nbsp;five half-lives to clear a drug from your system entirely, naproxen can linger in your system for almost three days. To be safe, you should avoid alcohol during this time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That said, certain medical conditions and other medications may increase the dangers of drinking after taking Aleve. In some cases, you may need to avoid alcohol for longer, so you should consult your doctor or pharmacist for medical advice specific to your situation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Avoiding Alcohol While Taking NSAIDs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you struggle with avoiding alcohol while taking Aleve, this can mean a more profound struggle with drinking. The addiction treatment programs at The Recovery Village at Baptist Health can help. Our medically supervised alcohol&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/treatment\/medical-detox\/\">detox program<\/a>&nbsp;can help wean you off alcohol, while an alcohol&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/treatment\/\">rehab program<\/a>&nbsp;can help you abstain from drinking over the long term.&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/contact-us\/\">Contact us<\/a>&nbsp;today to get started on the road to recovery.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Combining Aleve and alcohol can increase your risk of dangerous side effects like stomach bleeding and should be avoided. Taking an over-the-counter medication like Aleve (naproxen) is common for pain. However, just because a medication is over the counter does not mean it is free of drug interactions. Aleve and similar medications like Motrin (ibuprofen) [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":11603,"parent":697,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false},"categories":[16],"tags":[100],"class_list":["post-2802","blog","type-blog","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-alcohol","tag-mixing"],"acf":{"written_by":"","enable_medically_and_up":"","medically_reviewed_by":null,"medically_reviewed_content":"This article was reviewed by a medical professional to guarantee the delivery of accurate and up-to- date information. <a href=\"\/research\/\">View our research policy.<\/a>","up_to_date":"The Editorial Team at The Recovery Village Palm Beach at Baptist Health fact-checks, reviews, edits and continuously updates content we publish on this website.","page_first_published_date":null,"page_last_edit_date":null,"highlighted_description":"If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction, help is available. Speak with a Recovery Advocate by calling <a href=\"tel:8886480738\" ><b>888-648-0738<\/b><\/a> now.","key_takeaways":"","source":{"source_label":"View Sources","source_content":"<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ghlichloo, Ida; Gerriets, Valerie. \u201c<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/books\/NBK547742\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u201d StatPearls, May 19, 2022. Accessed April 2, 2023.<\/span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Drugs.com. \u201c<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.drugs.com\/monograph\/naproxen.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Naproxen<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u201d October 18, 2021. Accessed April 2, 2023.<\/span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Weathermon, Ron; Crabb, David W. \u201c<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/pubs.niaaa.nih.gov\/publications\/arh23-1\/40-54.pdf\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Alcohol and Medication Interactions<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u201d Alcohol Research &amp; Health, 1999. Accessed April 2, 2023.<\/span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hallare, Jericho; Gerriets, Valerie. \u201c<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/books\/NBK554498\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Half Life<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u201d StatPearls, June 23, 2022. Accessed April 2, 2023.<\/span>"},"staff_member_heading":"","staff_member":null,"insurance_label":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/blog\/2802","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/blog"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/blog"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2802"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/blog\/2802\/revisions"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/blog\/697"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/11603"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2802"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2802"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2802"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}