Aleve dosage, forms, and strengths

Aleve is a brand-name over-the-counter (OTC) pain reliever and fever reducer. The active ingredient, naproxen sodium, is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) similar to aspirin and ibuprofen. NSAIDs work by blocking the body’s ability to produce prostaglandins, substances responsible for pain, fever, and swelling. However, unlike other NSAIDs and OTC pain relievers, such as acetaminophen, naproxen is long-acting. Aleve only needs to be taken once every eight to 12 hours orally for symptom relief.

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Aleve dosages, forms, and strengths

Aleve is taken orally as a tablet, caplet, or gelcap (liquid capsule), each containing 220 milligrams (mg) of naproxen sodium.

• Caplets: 220 mg

• Tablets: 220 mg

• Gelcaps: 220 mg

Aleve dosage for adults

• Standard dosage for adults: One caplet, tablet, or gelcap (220 mg) every eight to 12 hours; for the first dose, a second caplet, tablet, or gelcap (220 mg) can be taken in the first hour

• Maximum dosage for adults: No more than two caplets, tablets, or gelcaps (440 mg) every eight to 12 hours and no more than three caplets, tablets, or gelcaps (660 mg) every 24 hours

• Renally impaired patients: Avoid taking Aleve with a creatinine clearance less than 30 mL/min or if on dialysis.

• Hepatically impaired patients Take Aleve cautiously.

Aleve dosage for aches and pain

Adults and adolescents over the age of 12 can use Aleve to relieve minor aches and pains due to arthritis, muscle aches, backaches, headaches, toothaches, menstrual cramps, or the common cold. However, Aleve should only be used for 10 days continuously. If pains and aches last longer than 10 days or get worse, discontinue taking Aleve and talk to a doctor or other healthcare provider.

• Dosages are the same as listed in the ‘Dosage for Adults’ section above.  

Aleve dosage for fever

For the temporary reduction of low fever in people older than 12, Aleve is taken at the same dosage as for minor aches and pains. However, Aleve should be discontinued if a fever lasts for longer than three days or climbs above 103 F.

• Dosages are the same as listed in the ‘Dosage for Adults’ section above.

Aleve dosage for children

Aleve should not be given to children younger than 12 years of age without a prescription. For adolescents 12 years of age and older, parents can give the recommended adult dose for pain or fever. For children under the age of 12, parents should either consult with a doctor or consider children’s formulations of alternative medications such as aspirin, ibuprofen, or acetaminophen.

Aleve dosage for pets

Naproxen, the active ingredient in Aleve, is rarely used in pets. When it is, it is primarily given to dogs (to treat osteoarthritis and other muscle or joint problems) and horses. Naproxen dosing is difficult in animals, so veterinarians will prefer using other medications for pain, swelling, or fever in a pet. If naproxen is given to a dog, doses will be given by mouth every two days. It takes some animals several days to break down naproxen, so Aleve or any other human medication should never be given to an animal unless under the direction of a veterinary professional.

How to take Aleve

Here are some helpful hints to keep in mind while taking Aleve:

• Read the instructions and warnings printed on the package or package insert.

• Do not take more medication than instructed.

• Do not exceed more than two caplets, tablets, or gel caps in a single eight to 12 hour period or more than three caplets, tablets, or gel caps in a single 24 hour period.

• To avoid side effects, try to take the smallest effective dose for the shortest period.

• Aleve can be taken with food or on an empty stomach. However, take this medicine with food, milk, or an antacid if it causes stomach upset.

• To prevent esophagus problems, try not to lie down for at least 10 minutes after taking Aleve.

Aleve dosage FAQs

Aleve vs. extended-release naproxen: What’s the difference in doses?

Aleve is an OTClow-dose formulation (220 mg) of naproxen sodium. Extended-release naproxen, available as EC-Naprosyn, comes in prescription-strength formulations of 375 and 500 mg tablets. Used primarily to treat rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, ankylosing spondylitis (arthritis of the spine), gout, and bursitis, extended-release naproxen is taken only once per day.

How long does it take Aleve to work?

Aleve should start reducing pain or fever about 30 minutes after taking a gelcap, caplet, or tablet. Peak effects should be felt in about an hour. Relief from pain or reduction of fever typically lasts for about eight to 12 hours.

How long does Aleve stay in your system?

Naproxen is one of the longest-lasting pain relievers available without a prescription. With a half-life of 13–17 hours, Aleve provides at least some symptom relief for about that length of time. As a general rule, it takes about four or five half-lives for the body to clear a drug out of the bloodstream. Naproxen, then, takes about 85 hours (almost four days) to be eliminated from the body. The slow elimination of naproxen can be significant. Naproxen and other NSAIDs can produce false-positive results on drug tests for barbiturates or marijuana.

What happens if I miss a dose of Aleve?

If a dose of Aleve is missed, take the missed dose at any time. Make sure, however, that the next dose is not taken until eight to 12 hours later. Never take a bigger dose to make up for a missed dose. Never exceed the daily maximum of three Aleve caplets, gelcaps, or tablets.

How long can you take Aleve?

Aleve should only be taken for 10 days for pain and three days for fever. If aches, pains, or fever continues longer than that, seek medical help for appropriate treatment.

How do I stop taking Aleve?

Taken as directed, Aleve can be stopped at any time without problems. Aleve does not cause physical dependence. However, if Aleve is taken continuously for too long, discontinuing Aleve could cause withdrawal, marked primarily by medication overuse headache (MOH). When analgesics such as Aleve are used chronically, missing a dose or stopping the medication can cause severe and frequent rebound headaches.

Aleve should not be taken for more than 10 days in a row. If, however, the drug is taken for a long time, talk to a doctor or other healthcare professional about how to taper the daily dose to get off the medication. However, Aleve should be stopped immediately at any sign of an allergic reaction such as skin rash or blisters.

Aleve may not be the right medicine for everyone. It is not recommended for people who have gastrointestinal bleeding, ulcers, heart failure, heart disease, or risk factors for heart attack or stroke. Women in the first trimester of pregnancy should also avoid Aleve. If for any reason Aleve cannot be taken, alternatives include other NSAIDs such as aspirin or Advil (ibuprofen) as well as Tylenol (acetaminophen), an alternative to NSAIDs.

What is the maximum dosage for Aleve?

The maximum dosage of Aleve is two gelcaps, caplets, or tablets (440 mg) in any single eight to 12 hour period and no more than three gelcaps, caplets, or tablets (660 mg) in any 24-hour period. If that sounds like it doesn’t add up, it doesn’t. People who are prescribed naproxen are often started with a double dose as their first dose. For this reason, Bayer, the manufacturer, does allow for taking a double dose (two gelcaps, caplets, or tablets) as a first dose. However, the two pills should be spaced apart (no more than one hour) to avoid causing stomach or other digestive system problems.

Can you overdose on Aleve?

Do not take more Aleve than the maximum dosage specified by the manufacturer. In fact, it’s best to use the lowest possible dose of Aleve for the shortest period to minimize side effects. A moderate overdose increases the risk and severity of side effects such as stomach bleeding, abdominal pain, constipation, and edema (fluid retention). A large overdose can cause symptoms such as nausea, stomach upset, heartburn, drowsiness, and possibly seizures. If you have taken too much Aleve, contact a poison control helpline and get emergency medical attention. 

What interacts with Aleve?

Although Aleve can be used without a prescription, other OTC and prescription drugs can interact with Aleve and cause problems. This is important because naproxen stays in the bloodstream for days after taking the last dose. Be sure to inform your healthcare provider about taking Aleve before he or she prescribes any other medications. Here are some medications to possibly avoid when taking with Aleve:

• In general, don’t use other NSAIDs when taking Aleve. In particular, Aleve should never be used if the prescription NSAID ketorolac is also being taken.

• Because Aleve interferes with blood clotting, tell a doctor about Aleve if you’re on a blood-thinning drug.

• Because Aleve can cause stomach bleeding, it should be avoided when taking corticosteroids. Consult with a doctor, pharmacist, or other healthcare professional about alternatives to Aleve when taking steroids.

• Tell the doctor or other healthcare provider about using Aleve if they prescribe diuretics, antidepressants, high blood pressure medications, heart medications, certain types of antibiotics (aminoglycosides), methotrexate, or lithium.

• Because of the risk for stomach bleeding and other gastrointestinal problems, drinking three or more alcoholic drinks per day is not recommended when taking Aleve.

Resources:

• Aleve

• Aleve drug facts

• Aleve website

• EC-Naprosyn

• EC-Naprosyn prescribing information

• Half-Life

• Naprelan prescribing information

• Naproxen compound summary

• Naproxen and naproxen sodium oral immediate-release tablets

• Urine drug screening: minimizing false positives and false-negatives to optimize patient care