What do Aleve products treat?
Most Aleve products are used to provide relief from minor aches and pain or fever. Most Aleve products have naproxen in them, which is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that blocks certain substances in your body that cause pain and fever.
See below for some other active ingredients that may be found in certain Aleve products.
Diphenhydramine. This ingredient may be used in some Aleve products along with naproxen to help you sleep when you have trouble because of minor aches and pains. It helps you fall asleep by working in your brain to affect the sleep-wake cycle, causing drowsiness.
Pseudoephedrine. This ingredient may be used in some Aleve products along with naproxen to help with sinus pressure or a stuffy nose. It helps reduce a stuffy nose or sinus pressure by narrowing the blood vessels and reducing swelling in your nose and sinuses. An Aleve product with pseudoephedrine may help you when you need pain relief from sinus pressure, such as a sinus-related headache.
Camphorand Menthol. These ingredients may be used in Aleve products that you use on your skin (topical) to help reduce muscle and joint aches and pain instead of naproxen. Camphor is a topical pain reliever. Menthol is a counterirritant. It stimulates nerves that help you sense pain or irritation. This counterirritation causes a cooling feeling on your skin and can help relieve pain. Topical Aleve products can help with minor aches and pain from things like strains, sprains, bruises, a simple backache, and arthritis.
What are the possible side effects of Aleve products?
Side effects may vary depending on the ingredients in the specific product you are using. Some possible side effects when taking or using an Aleve product include the following.
- Upset stomach or stomach pain
- Constipation or diarrhea
- Gas or heartburn
- Nausea or vomiting
- Drowsiness (Aleve PM)
- Trouble sleeping or nervousness (Aleve-D Sinus & Cold)
- Skin irritation (topical Aleve products)
Stop taking an Aleve product that contains naproxen, and call your doctor right away if you have any of the following serious side effects.
- Blood in your vomit
- Black or tarry poop
- Stomach pain that doesn’t go away
- Feeling faint
- Pain that gets worse, lasts more than 10 days, or if you have new symptoms like redness or swelling
- Ringing in your ears or trouble hearing
- Fever for more than three days
Stop using the medicine if you develop a rash or hives. Get medical help right away if you have signs of a serious allergic reaction, such as trouble breathing or swelling of the face, lips, or throat.
What should I know before using Aleve products?
If you are pregnant, do not take any Aleve product without first talking to your health care provider. Naproxen may cause problems in a fetus. Problems during delivery may also happen.
Aleve products that contain naproxen may increase your risk of stomach bleeding. Your risk is higher if you take more Aleve than directed or use it for a long period of time. Carefully read the label of your Aleve product. Do not use more of the product than recommended. Talk to your health care provider before using an Aleve product that you take by mouth if you have any of the following risk factors.
- 60 years or older
- Stomach ulcers or bleeding problems
- Taking a blood thinner, steroid, or another NSAID
- Have three or more alcoholic drinks every day
Aleve PM (With Diphenhydramine). Products with diphenhydramine can cause drowsiness. Don’t drive or do things that require alertness until you know how it affects you. Avoid drinking alcohol while taking Aleve PM as it can increase drowsiness.
Talk to your health care provider before taking any product that contains diphenhydramine if you have glaucoma, a breathing problem (like chronic bronchitis), or trouble peeing due to an enlarged prostate.
Talk to your pharmacist or health care provider before taking any product that contains diphenhydramine if you take an antihistamine or anything else to help you sleep or that makes you sleepy.
There may be side effects, additional warnings, and interactions with other medicines that are not listed here. These may vary depending on the combination of ingredients in the specific Aleve product you are using. Always check the label before taking any over-the-counter medicine. Do not take more than the recommended dose. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about your health conditions and other medicines to help determine which products are safe for you.
Which Aleve product is right for my symptoms?
Use the information below to help you find the best Aleve product to treat your symptoms. Caplets are just like tablets except their shape is different. Both caplets and tablets can be swallowed whole, chewed, or crushed. Liquid gels need to be swallowed whole. All the following products may be used for those aged 12 and older.
Pain or Fever. To help with symptoms of pain or fever, consider any of the following Aleve products that contain naproxen 200 mg.
- Aleve Caplets, Aleve Caplets Easy Open Arthritis Cap, or Aleve Caplets Soft Grip Arthritis Cap
- Aleve Tablets or Aleve Tablets Easy Open Arthritis Cap
- Aleve Liquid Gels or Aleve Liquid Gels Easy Open Arthritis Cap
- Aleve Back and Muscle Pain
Pain and Sleep Problems. To help with pain and sleep problems due to pain, you can consider one of the following products that contain naproxen 200 mg and diphenhydramine 25 mg.
- Aleve PM
- Aleve PM Easy Open Arthritis Cap
- Aleve PM Soft Grip Arthritis Cap
Pain and Sinus Pressure. To help with pain related to sinus or cold symptoms, including a stuffy nose or sinus pain or pressure, you can consider the following. Products containing pseudoephedrine are usually stored behind the pharmacy counter. You need to ask for the product even though you do not need a prescription.
- Aleve-D Sinus & Cold (naproxen 200 mg, pseudoephedrine 120 mg)
Topical Pain Relief. If you prefer to use a topical product to target muscle and joint pain from arthritis, backaches, a strain or sprain, or a bruise, consider either of the following Aleve products that contain camphor and menthol instead of naproxen.
- Alevex Pain Relieving Spray
- Alevex Pain Relieving Lotion (has a roller ball applicator for mess-free application)