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Drug Info

How long does naproxen take to kick in?

It depends on what you’re using the medication to treat, and the form that you take
Todd Hartley writer headshot
By | Aug. 6, 2024 Medically reviewed by Karen Berger, Pharm.D.
Calendar and tablet - how long does naproxen take to kick in

Key takeaways

  • Naproxen takes about 30 minutes to start relieving pain, and its pain-relieving effects last for up to seven to twelve hours.

  • Naproxen takes about three days to start relieving chronic inflammation and achieves its peak effect in about two to four weeks.

  • People taking prescription or over-the-counter medications for other conditions should check with a healthcare professional before taking naproxen. People with pre-existing medical conditions—particularly conditions of the heart or kidneys—should check with a provider before taking naproxen.

In this article:

Naproxen, most commonly sold under the brand names Aleve, Naprosyn, and Anaprox, is one of the most popular pain relievers available. It’s widely prescribed to treat certain types of acute and chronic pain, and it can also be purchased over the counter (OTC) in lower doses. It works by reducing prostaglandins, which are substances that trigger pain and inflammation.

But with so many other pain relievers out there, if you need quick relief from pain, it’s fair to ask: How fast-acting is naproxen? And is naproxen your best choice? It depends on what you’re using the medication to treat, and the form that you take. This medication can work as quickly as 30 minutes or take up to three days to provide relief.

How long does it take for naproxen to work?

Naproxen can provide pain relief in as little as half an hour or take three days to begin alleviating chronic inflammation. How fast it takes effect depends on the reason you’re taking the medication and the form.

Naproxen has two main uses:

  1. Pain relief: It takes about 30 minutes to start relieving pain. The timeframe is about the same for other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like aspirin and Advil (ibuprofen). However, the analgesic effects of naproxen last up to seven to twelve hours, while other NSAIDs only provide between four and six hours of pain relief.
  2. Reduce inflammation: “For patients using naproxen for chronic inflammation, it may take at least three days for the full effects,” says Danielle Fixen, Pharm.D., an associate professor at the University of Colorado Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. Although naproxen starts to relieve pain quickly, it may take two to four weeks of regular use to achieve its peak anti-inflammatory effects. It can help alleviate chronic inflammation associated with conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, bursitis, menstrual issues (such as menstrual cramps and period pain), ankylosing spondylitis, and tendonitis.

Prescription naproxen is available in several forms:

  • Regular tablet
  • Delayed-release tablet (a tablet that releases the medication in the intestine rather than the stomach, helping to prevent stomach damage)
  • Extended-release tablet (long-acting)
  • Suspension (liquid)

Nonprescription naproxen comes as a:

  • Tablet
  • Capsule
  • Gel capsule 

Liquids are generally the fastest-acting, followed by gel capsules and then tablets and capsules. Naproxen is almost completely absorbed by the gastrointestinal tract and then excreted in the urine.

These are general numbers, and they can vary from individual to individual. Some people may respond more quickly to other painkillers than they do to naproxen, while others may not get any relief at all from naproxen.

What can affect how long it takes to work?

There are two main factors that can affect how quickly naproxen works:

  • Underlying health conditions: Gastrointestinal issues can slow down the absorption of naproxen and how quickly it takes effect. “Patients who have reduced kidney function may take a longer time to clear naproxen, making the effects last longer,” says Dr. Fixen.
  • Other medications: “Certain drugs, like antacids, can also slow down how quickly it works,” says Taher Saifullah, MD, a pain-management specialist and founder of Spine & Pain Institute Los Angeles.

RELATED: Naproxen interactions to avoid

What is the standard naproxen dosage?

Over-the-counter naproxen tablets come in a 220 milligram (mg) dose. A commonly prescribed strength is 250-500 mg.

The recommended dosage of over-the-counter naproxen for adults is 220 mg every 8-12 hours while symptoms last, according to Aleve’s manufacturer. For the first dose only, you can take two pills within the first hour. It’s recommended that you not exceed more than two pills in 12 hours, and the maximum dosage should be no more than three in 24 hours. 

If you take prescription naproxen to treat chronic inflammation, your provider will decide the best dosage for you. The maximum daily dosage for adults is usually 1,500 mg divided into two doses, with a total daily dose of 750-1,000 mg (such as 500 mg twice daily) being more common. “Older adults typically need lower doses due to higher risk of side effects,” according to Dr. Saifullah.

Taking higher doses of naproxen can increase the risk of the following common side effects:

  • Stomach upset
  • Constipation, heartburn, or gas
  • Excessive thirst
  • Headache
  • Dizziness or lightheadedness
  • Drowsiness or tiredness
  • Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
  • Burning or tingling in the arms or legs
  • Cold symptoms
  • Ringing in the ears or other hearing problems

Rare but serious side effects are possible, such as:

  • Bleeding, perforation (holes), or ulcers (sores) in the stomach or intestines, which can be life-threatening
  • Increased risk of heart attack or stroke, which can be life-threatening
  • Changes in vision
  • Sudden weight gain
  • Feeling that the tablet is stuck in your throat
  • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing or swallowing
  • Swelling in the abdomen, ankles, feet, or legs
  • Sore throat, fever, chills, and other signs of infection
  • Blisters, skin rash, skin reddening, itching, or hives
  • Swelling of the eyes, face, lips, tongue, throat, arms or hands
  • Pain in the upper right part of the stomach
  • Nausea, diarrhea, loss of appetite, or flu-like symptoms
  • Yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes
  • Bruises or purple blotches under the skin
  • Fast heartbeat
  • Cloudy, discolored, or bloody urine
  • Back pain
  • Difficult, decreased, or painful urination
  • Confusion

You should consult your healthcare provider before taking naproxen for more than ten consecutive days for pain or three days for fever. “The harm in taking too much naproxen would be gastrointestinal distress and kidney impairment or harm,” says Dr. Fixen. “It is very likely that if someone took the maximum dose of naproxen daily for a year, they would have some level of kidney impairment or injury, a gastrointestinal ulcer, and their blood pressure would likely be elevated.”

Who should avoid taking naproxen?

Children younger than 12 should only take naproxen if instructed to do so by a provider.

Naproxen can have adverse effects such as increased risk of bleeding or kidney impairment when taken in conjunction with other drugs, including:

  • Anticoagulants or blood thinners such as Eliquis (apixaban), Xarelto (rivaroxaban), or warfarin
  • Certain antidepressants
  • Steroids
  • Blood pressure medications, such as diuretics, ACE inhibitors, or ARBs
  • Aspirin or other NSAIDs

If you regularly take any prescriptions, over-the-counter medications, vitamins, or dietary supplements, be sure to consult your healthcare provider before taking naproxen. Never take naproxen if you have ever had an allergic reaction (including asthma or hives) to naproxen or any other NSAIDs.

Additionally, a number of medical conditions can be impacted by naproxen use. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of the following conditions:

  • Heart failure or heart disease
  • High blood pressure
  • History of gastric ulcers
  • History of kidney disease
  • Recent bleeding or a bleeding disorder
  • History of stroke or heart attack
  • Diabetes
  • High cholesterol

People who take naproxen and other NSAIDs may have an increased risk of heart attack or stroke. Naproxen isn’t necessarily right for everyone. “Naproxen may be safe for short-term use in an individual with no medical conditions,” says Dr. Fixen. “Patients who have medical conditions should discuss the potential side effects and have a set duration of use if naproxen use is going to be initiated.”

The bottom line: Naproxen works quickly

Naproxen starts relieving pain in about 30 minutes, with analgesic effects lasting up to seven to twelve hours. As an anti-inflammatory agent, naproxen generally takes about three days to start working, and the effect will peak in about two to four weeks.