How long after taking Naproxen can I drink alcohol?

Mixing Naproxen and alcohol can produce a lot of dangerous side effects. Naproxen may be taken without causing any harmful effects to the body, but misusing it or mixing it with alcohol has the potential of damaging a person’s health.

Key Takeaways

When to Drink Alcohol After Naproxen:

You should wait 12 to 17 hours after taking Naproxen before drinking alcohol, as this is the time it takes for the medication to be eliminated from your body.

How Naproxen Works and Its Risks:

Naproxen reduces pain and swelling by lowering prostaglandin production, which also protects the stomach lining. Taking too much Naproxen or mixing it with alcohol can damage the stomach lining, leading to ulcers, bleeding, and other serious digestive issues.

Dangers of Mixing Naproxen and Alcohol:

Combining Naproxen with alcohol increases the risk of severe side effects and can lead to alcohol dependence or addiction. It is important to inform your doctor about all medications you are taking to avoid potentially harmful interactions.

How long after taking Naproxen can you drink alcohol?

Naproxen has an elimination half-life of 12 to 17 hours, which means that you are okay to drink alcohol after this window of time has passed. With or without naproxen or other medications, you should only be drinking alcohol in moderation. 

How does Naproxen work?

Naproxen works by reducing the body’s production of prostaglandin, the natural substance that is responsible for inflammatory reactions, making it an effective medicine to reduce pain and swelling. However, the beneficial result of prostaglandin is to thicken and protect the stomach lining. Taking large amounts of naproxen or mixing it with alcohol can cause damage to the lining of the stomach, which can result in upset stomach, ulcers, gastritis, or stomach bleeding.

Some of the adverse effects of drinking alcohol while on naproxen include the following:

• Holes in the stomach or intestine

• Digestion issues or heartburn

• Bloody vomit or vomit that looks like coffee grounds

• Blood in stool, or black or tar-like stools

What are the long-term effects of mixing naproxen and alcohol?

Doctors always ask their patients what medications they are taking. The reason behind this question is that a combination of certain drugs can result in effects on a person’s health, which can even be fatal. It is important that you tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking in order to be clear about any possible hazards, even when you are taking NSAIDs like naproxen.

A person who mixes naproxen and alcohol does not only have a higher risk of developing serious side effects from the medication but also increases the chance of developing an addiction to alcohol. 

Taking naproxen and alcohol at the same time can result in issues such as:

• Experiencing naproxen’s negative side effects 

• High risk of becoming mentally and physically alcohol dependent 

• A greater potential of becoming an alcohol addict

• Increased risk of overdose.

Naproxen, when taken as directed by a doctor, is not a risky medication. However, combining any medication, such as naproxen, with alcohol can cause various issues and potentially lead to alcohol dependency.

If a person is mixing alcohol and naproxen on a regular basis, it could be a sign that he is suffering from alcohol abuse or addiction. 

When a person uses alcohol heavily, his body develops a tolerance for the substance and becomes dependent on drinking alcohol for him to function normally. If the person stops drinking alcohol suddenly, he is prone to experiencing withdrawal symptoms that could be dangerous to his health. 

Sources

• Primrose Lodge - Naproxen and Alcohol

• NHS - Common Questions about Naproxen

• The Recovery Village - Alcohol and Naproxen

• Drugs.com - Naproxen Food Interactions

• Alcohol Rehab Help - Naproxen Interactions