What is Aleve?

Aleve (naproxen) is within a range of drugs called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Naproxen works by lowering hormones that create inflammation and pain within the body.

Aleve is used to relieve pain or swelling owing to conditions such as arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, tendinitis, bursitis, gout, or menstrual cramps.

Aleve could also be used for other uses not listed in this medication manual.

Important info about Aleve

Aleve can increase your chance of life-threatening heart or circulation problems, such as heart attack or stroke. This risk will increase the more you use Aleve. Avoid using this medicine right before or after having heart bypass surgery (also known as coronary artery bypass graft, or CABG).

Look for urgent medical help if you have symptoms of heart or circulation problems, for example chest pain, weakness, shortness of breath, slurred speech, or problems with vision or balance.

Aleve may also increase your risk of serious effects on the stomach or intestines, which include bleeding or perforation (developing of a hole). These situations might be fatal and gastrointestinal effects can occur unexpectedly at any time while you're taking Aleve. Grown ups might have an even greater risk of these serious gastrointestinal side effects.

Call your doctor at once if you have signs of bleeding inside your stomach or intestines. This consists of black, bloody, or tarry stools, or coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds.

Do not use any other over-the-counter cold, allergy, or pain medication without first asking a medical expert or pharmacist. Many medicines available over the counter contain aspirin or other medicines just like Aleve (such as ibuprofen or ketoprofen). If you take certain products together you can accidentally take too much of this type of medication. Read the label of any other medicine you might be using to find out if it contains aspirin, ibuprofen, or ketoprofen.

Do not drink alcohol while taking Aleve. Alcohol consumption can raise the probability of stomach bleeding caused by Aleve. Avoid extented exposure to sunlight. Naproxen could make your skin more sensitive to sunlight, and a sunburn may result.

Before taking Aleve

Taking an NSAID may grow your risk of life-threatening heart or circulation problems, including heart attack or stroke. This risk will increase the longer you use an NSAID. Don't use Aleve just before or after you have had heart bypass surgery (also called coronary artery bypass graft, or CABG).

NSAIDs may also enhance your risk of serious effects on the stomach or intestines, which include bleeding or perforation (forming of a hole). These circumstances may be fatal and gastrointestinal effects can occur unexpectedly at any time while you're taking Aleve. Grown ups might have an even greater risk of these significant gastrointestinal side effects.

Avoid using this medication if you are allergic to Aleve, or if you've got a history of allergic reaction to aspirin or some other NSAIDs.

If you've got any of these other conditions, you might need a dose adjustment or distinctive tests to securely use Aleve:

a medical history of heart attack, stroke, or blood clot;
heart disease, congestive heart failure, high blood pressure;
a history of stomach ulcers or bleeding;
liver or kidney disease;
asthma;
polyps in your nose;
a bleeding or blood clotting disorder; or
if you smoke.
FDA pregnancy category C. Before using Aleve, inform your doctor if you are pregnant or intend to conceive during treatment. Taking Aleve over the last 3 months of pregnancy may result in birth defects. Don't take Aleve while pregnant unless your doctor has told you to. Aleve can pass into milk and may harm a nursing baby. Don't use this medication without telling a medical expert in case you are feeding a baby. Don't give this medicine to a child younger than 2 years old without the advice of a doctor.

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