Is it ok to take 4 aleve a day

Advil (ibuprofen) and Aleve (naproxen) are both nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs). Both of these medications work in the same way to alleviate pain. Advil and Aleve both work to keep your body from producing prostaglandins.

This makes them effective for pain relief and inflammation reduction, but there is a risk of stomach-related side effects. In terms of efficacy, 440mg Aleve is roughly equivalent to 400mg ibuprofen.

Pain relievers such as Tylenol, Advil, and Aleve are commonly found on drugstore shelves. While all three medications can help a child feel better, the active ingredient in each one is different. It's acetaminophen in Tylenol, ibuprofen in Advil and Motrin, and naproxen in Aleve.

Aleve causes you to retain water, which puts more strain on your heart. This additional work can put a strain on your cardiovascular system, potentially leading to a heart attack or stroke. Even if you don't have any heart conditions or are at risk of developing heart disease, the risks increase at higher doses.

Take one tablet, caplet, gelcap, or liquid gel every 8 to 12 hours for as long as the symptoms last. You may take two pills within the first hour for the first dose. Do not take more than two tablets, caplets, gelcaps, or liquid gels in a 12-hour period, and no more than three tablets, caplets, gelcaps, or liquid gels in a 24-hour period.

Yes, Aleve is an effective medication for treating similar types of pain. They work as NSAIDs to reduce inflammation, pain, and fever.

You should never take any over-the-counter medication on a regular basis without first consulting your doctor. The majority of over-the-counter pain relievers should not be used for more than 10 days.

Nonprescription pain relievers can harm your liver, especially if taken frequently or in combination with alcohol.

NSAIDs, or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and naproxen (Aleve), are some list of the drugs that might cause kidney damage.

If you have a history of allergic reactions to aspirin or other NSAIDs, you should avoid using Aleve (a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug). Naproxen can increase your risk of a fatal heart attack or stroke, especially if you use it for an extended period of time, take high doses, or have heart disease.

Each caplet has a 12-hour shelf life. Aleve can help if you're tired of taking and retaking pills every few hours to treat long-lasting aches and pains. Only two caplets are required to provide all-day pain relief. Each pill is strong enough to last 12 hours.

Naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn) is a commonly used pain reliever that is available as both an over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription medication. But people can accidently take too much, given it’s available in multiple different strengths. 

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Naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn) is a common pain reliever that’s available at your local pharmacy. It’s found in many over-the-counter (OTC) products to help reduce pain, inflammation (swelling), and common cold symptoms.

Naproxen is also available with a prescription. This higher-strength version is sometimes needed to treat different types of arthritis, gout, and menstrual pain.

When so many products are available with naproxen, accidentally taking more than the recommended dose can happen. So, let’s take a look at some side effects and symptoms that can happen with high doses of naproxen, as well as what actions you should take if you experience them.

What is naproxen?

Naproxen is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that treats mild to moderate pain and inflammation. It can also temporarily reduce a fever. Naproxen is in the same class of medications as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin). But naproxen is only taken 2 or 3 times a day, whereas ibuprofen might be needed 4 to 6 times a day.

Naproxen is available OTC as both a brand and generic product. It comes as a 220 mg tablet. Higher strengths and a liquid version are also available with a prescription from a healthcare provider.

What does naproxen do to the body?

When an injury or infection occurs, the body produces natural substances called prostaglandins. These prostaglandins cause the familiar signs of inflammation: pain, swelling, and redness. Prostaglandins can also cause a fever. Naproxen works to reduce pain, inflammation, and fever by blocking prostaglandins.

Is it possible to take too much naproxen?

Yes. Cases of naproxen poisoning occur every year. Many cases occur when someone takes too much by mistake. This can happen easily because naproxen is an ingredient in many OTC medications, including cough and cold products. Large quantities of naproxen can cause serious side effects.

But sometimes, someone intentionally takes too much naproxen. If you’re experiencing thoughts of harming yourself, know that help is available. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (1-800-273-8255) provides confidential support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

What are the symptoms of a naproxen overdose?

Most cases of naproxen toxicity are mild. But in rare cases, symptoms and side effects can be severe.

Mild symptoms of a naproxen overdose may include:

• Confusion

• Dizziness

• Drowsiness

• Severe headache

• Nausea

• Vomiting

• Ringing in the ears

• Blurred vision

More serious overdose symptoms include:

How much naproxen is safe to take?

As with any medication, always read the label carefully. It’s important to understand the instructions and know how to properly take the medication. Be sure to ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist if you aren’t sure how much naproxen is safe to take.

The safe dose of naproxen will vary based on someone’s age and other medical conditions. Below, we’ll review some basic dosing guidelines for a few situations.

Safe dose for adults

For adults using OTC naproxen, the recommended dose is 220 mg (1 tablet) every 8 to 12 hours as needed. Don’t take more than 660 mg (3 tablets) per day. You should only take OTC naproxen for short periods of time. If you’ve been taking it for 10 days for pain or 3 days for fever, it’s best to talk to your healthcare provider.

Some people need higher doses of naproxen to treat their condition. The amount of prescription-strength naproxen will change based on why a person’s using it. Generally, most people will be prescribed anywhere between 250 mg to 550 mg twice a day. The maximum total daily dose is 1,375 mg.

Safe dose for children and adolescents

OTC naproxen is only recommended for children ages 12 years and older. The safe daily dose is the same as adults. People in this age group should not take more than 220 mg (1 tablet) every 8 to 12 hours. And they should not exceed more than 660 mg (3 tablets) in 24 hours. If your child is under the age of 12, speak to their healthcare provider for alternative options.

Safe dose for people with kidney problems

NSAIDs like naproxen can be hard on the kidneys. So people with kidney problems need to be extra careful when taking them. If you have a history of kidney issues, speak with a healthcare provider before taking any NSAIDs, even if they’re OTC.

Naproxen dosing for people with kidney problems is based on a blood test called creatinine clearance (CrCl). If your CrCl is 30 mL/min or more, you’ll likely take the same dose that people without kidney problems do. Naproxen isn’t recommended if your CrCl is less than 30 mL/min.

Safe dose for people with liver problems

There are no special dosing guidelines for taking naproxen if you have liver problems. But it’s still recommended to use caution when taking naproxen if you have a history of liver problems. You should only take the lowest dose needed for the shortest time possible. Contact your healthcare provider before taking OTC naproxen regularly.

Is it safe to take naproxen every day?

For some people, taking naproxen every day is necessary for their health conditions. But you should only take this medication daily if this is recommended by your healthcare provider. 

If you’re taking it every day, keep in mind that NSAIDs, including naproxen, can be hard on certain organs in the body over time. So using naproxen for long periods of time can raise the risk of serious side effects, such as kidney damage, gastrointestinal bleeding, and heart attacks. And the longer you take it, the higher your risk of serious side effects becomes.

Still, these serious side effects aren’t common and don’t usually happen at recommended doses. 

Don’t take OTC naproxen for more than 10 days for pain, or 3 days for a fever, without talking to your healthcare provider. Aside from medication safety, it’s also best to see your provider if you’re experiencing pain for 10 consecutive days, or fever for 3 consecutive days.

What should I do if I’m experiencing symptoms of a naproxen overdose?

If you’re experiencing mild symptoms of a naproxen overdose, contact Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 or use their online triage service. They can help you determine if you need further medical attention. You can also contact your healthcare provider and ask them for advice.

When should I seek medical attention for a naproxen overdose?

If someone takes a large amount of naproxen, or they’re experiencing more serious overdose symptoms, call 911 or get medical help right away. They need emergency evaluation and treatment to prevent any serious issues. 

The bottom line

Because naproxen and other NSAIDs are readily available OTC, overdoses can easily happen by mistake. Naproxen overdose symptoms can include dizziness, vomiting, and confusion. In severe cases, seizures and trouble breathing could also happen.

Reading the label carefully and knowing which ingredients are in certain products can lower the chances of an accidental overdose. Always tell your healthcare provider about all prescription and OTC medications you’re taking. That way, they can let you know how much naproxen is safe for you to take.

If you or someone you know is struggling with depression or has had thoughts of harming themselves or taking their own life, know that help is available. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (1-800-273-8255) provides 24/7, free, confidential support for people in distress, as well as best practices for professionals and resources to aid in prevention and crises.

GoodRx Health has strict sourcing policies and relies on primary sources such as medical organizations, governmental agencies, academic institutions, and peer-reviewed scientific journals. Learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate, thorough, and unbiased by reading our editorial guidelines.

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What happens if you take 4 Aleve?

What happens if you take Aleve every day?