If you have been prescribed naproxen, then you might be struggling with pain or inflammation.
When it comes to different types of medication, people might be wondering whether or not it is safe to drink alcohol while taking the medication.
This is a really legitimate question to ask, especially because naproxen is often used for long-term conditions that last weeks or even months, rather than just a few days.
Unlike some antibiotics, where the advice can be nuanced, the conversation around naproxen and alcohol is more straightforward.
This is because mixing the two substances can pose some serious health risks, especially when it comes to the stomach and to the digestive system.
In this article, we will explore what naproxen is, how it works, how alcohol affects the body, and what happens when the two are combined.
We will also discuss the ins and outs of alcohol addiction and what to do if you think that your drinking has become an issue.
Naproxen is an anti-inflammatory drug that is commonly used to treat a number of different illnesses, such as joint pain, arthritis, back pain, muscle pain, gout, period pain and a number of different inflammatory conditions [1].
This type of medication works by reducing the production of something in your system called prostaglandins. This is a chemical in your body that contributes to pain, inflammation and swelling.
While effective, naproxen sometimes irritates the lining of the stomach, which is often why doctors advise taking this type of medication with food.
In some cases, doctors will prescribe another medication, such as a proton pump inhibitor, which helps to protect your stomach lining [1].
Many doctors ask you not to consume alcohol whilst taking naproxen as excessive alcohol use is also known to damage the lining of your stomach.
Unfortunately, alcohol has been known to irritate the lining of your stomach.
In fact, even moderate drinking has been known to increase acid production in your stomach and weaken the protective barrier that shields your stomach from damage [2].
Excessive drinking increases the risk of several different conditions, such as gastritis, stomach ulcers or gastrointestinal bleeding.
Unfortunately, drinking excessive alcohol has also been known to cause blood clotting, which can put your life at risk if it goes untreated over a long period of time.
When you combine these two substances together, the risks of irritating the stomach worsen, and the negative side effects that you might experience will likely compound [2].
Whilst there is no legal or medical prohibition on drinking alcohol while taking naproxen, it is not recommended.
NHS guidance advises caution because combining anti-inflammatory drugs with alcohol increases the risk of stomach irritation and bleeding and therefore poses a risk to your health.
Unfortunately, this means that even moderate drinking of alcohol can heighten the likelihood of stomach pain, indigestion, heartburn, nausea and vomiting.
On a more serious and severe note, combining these substances can raise the risk of stomach ulcers or gastrointestinal bleeding, which can put your life at risk.
So, whilst a small amount of alcohol may not cause immediate harm to your health and to your life, mixing naproxen with alcohol can have a negative impact and should be avoided, especially if you are on naproxen for a long period of time.
As discussed above, naproxen affects your stomach and the blood cells in your body that are responsible for blood clotting. Alcohol can also interfere with clotting, particularly when someone heavily consumes alcohol on a regular basis.
When both naproxen and alcohol are present in the body, the risk of bleeding in the stomach or intestines increases drastically, which could have a severe impact on your overall health.
Signs of this might include black stools, vomiting blood, severe abdominal pain, and frequently feeling tired, weak or dizzy.
Gastrointestinal bleeding can be serious, and, in some cases, it can be life-threatening.
Although uncommon in most healthy individuals taking short courses of naproxen, you should always consult a doctor if you experience any of the above side effects or symptoms.
There are certain individuals who should strongly consider avoiding alcohol altogether if they have been prescribed naproxen.
Below are some examples of when alcohol should be avoided altogether:
If you have previously had a stomach ulcer or a gastrointestinal bleed, then combining naproxen with alcohol could re-trigger some serious complications for your stomach and will make it much more likely that you will go on to experience another stomach ulcer.
Unfortunately, age increases your chances of stomach-related problems if you mix naproxen and alcohol together. The older you are, then the more you should avoid mixing any types of medication with addictive substances such as alcohol.
As discussed above, both alcohol and naproxen are processed through the liver. If liver function is already damaged or not operating as it should, the risk of harm to the liver increases if you consume alcohol.
You should avoid mixing naproxen and alcohol if you are also taking other medications. This includes other medications such as anticoagulants, which are a type of blood thinner, steroids and certain antidepressants,
It is also important to understand that naproxen is sometimes prescribed for pain relief.
When pain becomes chronic and severe, it can take a huge emotional toll as well as a physical toll, which you might try to numb and cope with by using addictive substances, such as alcohol or cannabis.
In fact, a lot of people begin using alcohol and other addictive substances as a way of coping with persistent discomfort, mental frustration, anxiety or disrupted sleep.
Unfortunately, this can become problematic very quickly.
Whilst alcohol may temporarily numb or dull pain, it does not treat the underlying issue. In fact, it can worsen any inflammatory conditions that you might be suffering from over time.
If you choose to drink while taking naproxen, then there are a number of different things that you might want to consider. Some of these are listed below:
For example, if you notice any heartburn, indigestion or abdominal pain after taking naproxen, then you should stop drinking immediately and speak to your GP as soon as possible.
Sometimes, people become addicted to certain substances without even realising it.
When people start to suffer from health conditions, certain addictions might become more prevalent and obvious.
If you think that you might have become addicted to alcohol or drugs whilst taking medication in order to cope with pain, then it is important to understand that there is help, advice and support available to you.
If you start to notice that you drink most evenings, regularly exceed over 14 units of alcohol or struggle to go a few days without drinking, then you might have a substance use disorder.
If this is the case, then it may be worth examining your relationship with alcohol more closely.
If cutting down on alcohol feels overwhelming to you, then it is important to remember that you are not alone and that there is help and support available to you in the form of outpatient and inpatient rehab treatment.
At Rehab 4 Addiction, our team of specialists regularly speak with individuals whose drinking began as a way to cope with stress, pain, loneliness or fatigue but are now suffering from an addiction issue.
For an addiction issue, support can take many different forms. This might include a simple conversation with your local GP, community rehab services, inpatient rehab, outpatient rehab or a home medical detox.
If you or someone you know is suffering from an addiction issue, then it is important to understand that seeking help does not mean that you have failed.
Instead, it means you are taking your health seriously and are ready to better yourself.
To conclude, naproxen and alcohol can interact in ways that increase the risk of a range of different health issues that could quickly escalate.
While not everyone will experience the same side effects and symptoms, you should remain cautious when it comes to mixing naproxen and alcohol together.
If you are managing pain, inflammation or a chronic illness, then your focus should be on recovery and stability, not trying to numb your pain or illness with addictive substances such as alcohol, cannabis or cocaine.
If your alcohol addiction is worsening, then please remember that support is available.
At Rehab 4 Addiction, our team of advisers are able to offer confidential help and support.
Start your recovery journey today by calling us for free on 0800 140 4690 or by visiting us online by searching for www.rehab4addiction.co.uk.
[1] https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/naproxen/about-naproxen/
Boris is our editor-in-chief at Rehab 4 Addiction. Boris is an addiction expert with more than 20 years in the field. His expertise covers a broad of topics relating to addiction, rehab and recovery. Boris is an addiction therapist and assists in the alcohol detox and rehab process. Boris has been featured on a variety of websites, including the BBC, Verywell Mind and Healthline. You can connect with Boris online at LinkedIn or X.com.
