Aleve Side Effects

Generic name: naproxen

Note: This page contains information about the side effects of naproxen. Some of the dosage forms included on this document may not apply to the brand name Aleve.

For the Consumer

Applies to naproxen: oral capsule liquid filled, oral suspension, oral tablet, oral tablet enteric coated, oral tablet extended release

In addition to its needed effects, some unwanted effects may be caused by naproxen (the active ingredient contained in Aleve). In the event that any of these side effects do occur, they may require medical attention.

Major Side Effects

You should check with your doctor immediately if any of these side effects occur when taking naproxen:

More common:

• Belching
• bruising
• difficult or labored breathing
• feeling of indigestion
• headache
• itching skin
• large, flat, blue, or purplish patches in the skin
• pain in the chest below the breastbone
• skin eruptions
• stomach pain
• swelling
• tightness in the chest

Less common:

• Bloating
• bloody or black, tarry stools
• blurred or loss of vision
• burning upper abdominal or stomach pain
• cloudy urine
• constipation
• decrease in urine output or decrease in urine-concentrating ability
• disturbed color perception
• double vision
• fast, irregular, pounding, or racing heartbeat or pulse
• halos around lights
• indigestion
• loss of appetite
• nausea or vomiting
• night blindness
• overbright appearance of lights
• pale skin
• pinpoint red or purple spots on the skin
• severe and continuing nausea
• severe stomach burning, cramping, or pain
• skin rash
• swelling or inflammation of the mouth
• troubled breathing with exertion
• tunnel vision
• unusual bleeding or bruising
• unusual tiredness or weakness
• vomiting of material that looks like coffee grounds
• weight loss

Rare

• Anxiety
• back or leg pains
• bleeding gums
• blindness
• blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
• blood in the urine or stools
• blue lips and fingernails
• canker sores
• change in the ability to see colors, especially blue or yellow
• chest pain or discomfort
• clay-colored stools
• cold sweats
• coma
• confusion
• cool, pale skin
• cough or hoarseness
• coughing that sometimes produces a pink frothy sputum
• cracks in the skin
• darkened urine
• decreased vision
• depression
• diarrhea
• difficult, burning, or painful urination
• difficult, fast, or noisy breathing
• difficulty with swallowing
• dilated neck veins
• dizziness
• dry cough
• dry mouth
• early appearance of redness, or swelling of the skin
• excess air or gas in the stomach
• extreme fatigue
• eye pain
• fainting
• fever with or without chills
• fluid-filled skin blisters
• flushed, dry skin
• frequent urination
• fruit-like breath odor
• greatly decreased frequency of urination or amount of urine
• hair loss
• high fever
• hives
• increased hunger
• increased sensitivity of the skin to sunlight
• increased sweating
• increased thirst
• increased urination
• increased volume of pale, dilute urine
• irregular breathing
• joint or muscle pain
• large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or sex organs
• late appearance of rash with or without weeping blisters that become crusted, especially in sun-exposed areas of skin, may extend to unexposed areas
• light-colored stools
• lightheadedness
• loss of heat from the body
• lower back or side pain
• nervousness
• nightmares
• no blood pressure
• no breathing
• no pulse
• nosebleeds
• numbness or tingling in the hands, feet, or lips
• pain in the ankles or knees
• pain or burning in the throat
• pain or discomfort in the arms, jaw, back, or neck
• painful, red lumps under the skin, mostly on the legs
• pains in the stomach, side, or abdomen, possibly radiating to the back
• pale or blue lips, fingernails, or skin
• pounding in the ears
• puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
• rapid, shallow breathing
• red, irritated eyes
• red skin lesions, often with a purple center
• red-green color blindness
• redness or other discoloration of the skin
• redness, swelling, or soreness of the tongue
• scaly skin
• seizures
• severe sunburn
• shakiness
• skin thinness
• slurred speech
• sneezing
• sore throat
• sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or tongue or inside the mouth
• sores, welting, or blisters
• spots on your skin resembling a blister or pimple
• stiff neck or back
• stomach cramps or tenderness
• stomach upset
• swelling in the legs and ankles
• swelling of the face, fingers, feet, or lower legs
• swollen, painful, or tender lymph glands in the neck, armpit, or groin
• tiny bumps on the inner lining of the eyelid
• unexplained weight loss
• unpleasant breath odor
• watery or bloody diarrhea
• weakness or heaviness of the legs
• weight gain
• yellow eyes or skin

If any of the following symptoms of overdose occur while taking naproxen, get emergency help immediately:

Symptoms of overdose:

• Bleeding under the skin
• confusion about identity, place, and time
• muscle tremors
• restlessness
• sleepiness

Minor Side Effects

Some of the side effects that can occur with naproxen may not need medical attention. As your body adjusts to the medicine during treatment these side effects may go away. Your health care professional may also be able to tell you about ways to reduce or prevent some of these side effects. If any of the following side effects continue, are bothersome or if you have any questions about them, check with your health care professional:

More common:

• Continuing ringing or buzzing or other unexplained noise in the ears
• hearing loss

Less common:

• Acid or sour stomach
• change in hearing
• feeling of constant movement of self or surroundings
• passing gas
• sensation of spinning
• stomach soreness or discomfort

Rare

• Appetite changes
• burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings
• burning, dry, or itching eyes
• difficulty with moving
• discharge, excessive tearing
• general feeling of discomfort or illness
• lack or loss of strength
• menstrual changes
• muscle aching, cramping, stiffness, or weakness
• not able to concentrate
• redness, pain, or swelling of the eye, eyelid, or inner lining of the eyelid
• seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there
• shakiness in the legs, arms, hands, or feet
• swollen joints
• trembling or shaking of the hands or feet
• trouble getting pregnant
• trouble performing routine tasks
• trouble sleeping
• unusual drowsiness, dullness, or feeling of sluggishness

For Healthcare Professionals

Applies to naproxen: compounding powder, oral capsule, oral delayed release tablet, oral suspension, oral tablet, oral tablet extended release, oral and topical kit

Gastrointestinal

Very common (10% or more): Dyspepsia (14%), heartburn, nausea, constipation
Common (1% to 10%): Diarrhea, abdominal pain
Very rare (less than 0.01%): Pancreatitis
Frequency not reported: Flatulence, gastritis, vomiting, dysphagia, stomatitis, abdomen enlarged, eructation, GI hemorrhage, rectal hemorrhage, aphthous, mouth ulcer, stomach ulcer, cardiospasm, colitis, esophagitis, gastroenteritis, GI disorder, rectal disorder, tooth disorder, melena esophageal ulcer, hematemesis, non-peptic GI ulceration, ulcerative stomatitis, sialadenitis, colitis
Postmarketing reports: Inflammation, bleeding, ulceration, perforation, obstruction, exacerbation of inflammatory bowel disease^[Ref]

Hepatic

Rare (less than 0.1%): Hepatitis, jaundice
Frequency not reported: Cholecystitis, cholelithiasis, hepatosplenomegaly, liver function abnormality, SGOT increased, SGPT increased, elevated liver enzymes^[Ref]

Nervous system

Very common (10% or more): Headache (15%)
Common (1% to 10%): Drowsiness, dizziness
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Cognitive dysfunction, poor concentration
Very rare (less than 0.01%): Convulsions, stroke
Frequency not reported: Paresthesia, lightheadedness, migraine, syncope, hypertonia, neuralgia, neuritis, amnesia, paralysis^[Ref]

Renal

Very rare (less than 0.01%): Glomerular nephritis, interstitial nephritis, nephrotic syndrome, renal papillary necrosis
Frequency not reported: Kidney function abnormality, pyelonephritis, creatinine increased, glucosuria, albuminuria, BUN increased, renal failure, renal disease, kidney pain, nephrosclerosis, kidney failure, kidney calculus, nephropathy^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Palpitations
Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Vasculitis
Very rare (less than 0.01%): Arterial thrombotic events, myocardial infarction
Frequency not reported: Hypertension, angina pectoris, coronary artery disease, deep thrombophlebitis, vasodilation, vascular anomaly, arrhythmia, bundle branch block, abnormal ECG, right heart failure, hemorrhage, aortic stenosis, tachycardia, congestive heart failure
Postmarketing reports: Cardiac failure^[Ref]

Hematologic

Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Hemolytic anemia
Very rare (less than 0.01%): Granulocytopenia, thrombocytopenia, agranulocytosis
Frequency not reported: Anemia, aplastic anemia, leukopenia, bleeding time increased, eosinophilia, abnormal RBC, abnormal WBC, neutropenia, pancytopenia^[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

Rare (less than 0.1%): Allergic reaction, anaphylactoid/anaphylaxis reaction, hypersensitivity reaction^[Ref]

Dermatologic

Common (1% to 10%): Ecchymosis, rash, skin eruptions, pruritus, purpura
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Urticaria, photosensitivity
Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Alopecia, pseudo-porphyria
Very rare (less than 0.01%): Toxic epidermal necrolysis, erythema multiforme, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, epidermolysis bullosa
Frequency not reported: Angioneurotic edema/angioedema, angiodermatitis, dry skin, sweating, skin ulcer, acne, contact dermatitis, eczema, skin necrosis, subcutaneous nodule, photosensitive dermatitis, porphyria cutaneous tarda, nail disorder, epidermal necrosis, exfoliative dermatoses, bullous dermatoses, lichen planus
Postmarketing reports: Erythema nodosum, fixed drug eruption, pustular reaction, bullous reactions^[Ref]

Respiratory

Common (1% to 10%): Pharyngitis, rhinitis, dyspnea
Rare (less than 0.1%): Aggravated asthma, eosinophilic pneumonitis
Frequency not reported: Bronchitis, cough increased, asthma, pulmonary edema, laryngitis, lung disorder, epistaxis, pneumonia, respiratory distress, respiratory disorder, bronchospasm, sore throat^[Ref]

Other

Very common (10% or more): Influenza-like syndrome (10%)
Common (1% to 10%): Infection, edema, tinnitus, fatigue
Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Hearing impairment
Very rare (less than 0.01%): Aseptic meningitis
Frequency not reported: Fever, accidental injury, asthenia, chest pain, peripheral edema, hearing disturbances, thirst, abscess, cellulitis, malaise, mucous membrane disorder, periodontal abscess, necrosis, aseptic meningitis, chills, weight increased, otitis media, deafness, ear disorder, herpes simplex, herpes zoster, vertigo, subdural hematoma, exacerbation of Parkinson's disease^[Ref]

Metabolic

Rare (less than 0.1%): Hyperkalemia
Frequency not reported: Hyperglycemia, anorexia, hypoglycemia, hypercholesteremia, alkalosis, dehydration, glucose tolerance increase, hyperuricemia, hypokalemia^[Ref]

Endocrine

Postmarketing reports: Infertility^[Ref]

General

The most frequently reported adverse events were headache, dyspepsia, nausea, constipation, heartburn, abdominal pain, and influenza-like syndrome.^[Ref]

Genitourinary

Common (1% to 10%): Urinary tract infection
Very rare (less than 0.01%): Hematuria
Frequency not reported: Cystitis, monilia, pelvic pain, dysmenorrhea, dysuria, nocturia, prostate disorder, urinary incontinence, menorrhagia, menstrual disorders, vaginitis, uterine spasm, urinary retention, urinary frequency, abnormal urine, pyuria, metrorrhagia^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

Common (1% to 10%): Back pain
Rare (less than 0.1%): Myalgia, muscle weakness
Frequency not reported: Leg cramps, arthralgia, joint disorder, tendon disorder, neck rigid/pain, LE syndrome, myasthenia, bone disorder, spontaneous bone fracture, fibrotendinitis, bone pain, spasm, bursitis
Postmarketing reports: Systemic lupus erythematosus^[Ref]

Ocular

Common (1% to 10%): Visual disturbances
Frequency not reported: Ptosis, amblyopia, scleritis, cataract, conjunctivitis, keratoconjunctivitis, lacrimation disorder, eye pain, diplopia, retrobulbar optic neuritis
Postmarketing reports: Corneal opacity, papillitis, papilledema^[Ref]

Oncologic

Frequency not reported: Carcinoma, breast carcinoma, breast neoplasm, skin neoplasm^[Ref]

Psychiatric

Common (1% to 10%): Confusion
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Depression, dream abnormalities, mood alterations
Frequency not reported: Insomnia, anxiety, nervousness, emotional lability, hallucinations^[Ref]

Not all side effects for Aleve may be reported. You should always consult a doctor or healthcare professional for medical advice. Side effects can be reported to the FDA here.