How much aleve is safe to take daily

Created by Łucja Zaborowska, MD, PhD candidate

Reviewed by Steven Wooding and Aleksandra Zając, MD

Based on research by

“Naproxen (Rx, OTC)“ (2021)

Last updated: Sep 23, 2022

Our Aleve dosage calculator allows you to compute the right amount of naproxen needed for a given indication; headache, back pain, painful periods? We got you covered! 💊

Are you wondering how many Aleve to take? Would you like to know what are the side effects of taking Aleve every day? Are you not sure about the naproxen uses or just need detailed Aleve instructions?

Follow the article below to find answers for all these questions!

We try our best to make our Omni Calculators as precise and reliable as possible. However, this tool can never replace a professional doctor's assessment. If any health condition bothers you, consult a physician.

What is Aleve? What is naproxen?

Aleve is a brand name for a drug called naproxen. Naproxen (and subsequently, Aleve) is a type of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID).

NSAIDs are the most popular group of drugs worldwide - you probably already know a few of them: ibuprofen, aspirin, or their close cousin, paracetamol (acetaminophen).

Like all the other NSAIDs, Aleve is a drug used in treating inflammation and pain - it's especially useful for treating joint and muscle diseases and period pain therapy.

Are you still hungry for knowledge? Try our other dosing articles & tools:

• Opioid equivalency chart;
• Pediatric doses calculator 👶; and
• General dosage calculator.

Aleve side effects

Typical side effects of both NSAIDs and Aleve include:

• Fluid retention (feeling of heaviness, slight edema);
• Drowsiness, dizziness;
• Gastrointestinal tract bleeding - e.g., bleeding from the stomach (especially in older people and prolonged use);
• Constipation, nausea, abdominal pain; and
• Gastric ulcers and perforations (older people, prolonged usage).

❗ In case of severe stomach ache, vomiting blood or black substance, black poo or blood in your poo contact your doctor immediately!.

Can we mix naproxen and alcohol? 🍺

A few pages on the Internet claim that drinking alcohol when using Aleve is entirely safe - that's not true!. Such action increases our chances of gastric ulcers or other unpleasant side effects of this type of drug.

What about Aleve and Tylenol?

Tylenol contains paracetamol (acetaminophen), a painkiller drug that doesn't stop inflammation. You can take these both drugs together: no interactions between them have been detected so far. However, you should always use a paracetamol dosage calculator to administer a proper dose of this medication.

How many mg is Aleve?

Aleve (naproxen) is available in the following strengths and types:

1. PO (by mouth) options:

   Oral suspension:

   • 25 mg/mL = 125 mg/teaspoon

   Regular tablets:

   • 220 mg - Aleve 220 mg dosage is the only strength available without the prescription.
   • 250 mg
   • 275 mg
   • 375 mg
   • 500 mg
   • 550 mg

   Delayed-release tablets: (the tablet starts working later than the regular one)

   • 375 mg
   • 500 mg

   Extended release tablet: (the tablet works longer than the regular one)

   • 375 mg
   • 500 mg
   • 750 mg

   Effervescent tablets (tablets that need to be dissolved in water before swallowing)

2. Other routes of administration

   Suppository (drug administered into the anal canal)

   • 500 mg

3. Aleve PM

   Aleve PM is a mixture of regular Aleve and difenhydramine, a drug used for treating allergy and insomnia.

Visit the section below for specific Aleve dosage in mg for all the popular indications (reasons to take). ⤵️

What is the dosage for Aleve?

This section will discuss Aleve’s recommended dosage for seven most typical uses; we'll cover both Aleve dosage for adults and kids.

❗ You should never treat this tool as the only source of medical information - in case of any doubts or uncertainty consult your doctor, pediatrician or pharmacist.

🔅

Q: How many Aleve can I take?

A: You shouldn't exceed the amount of 1250 mg per day. In prolonged use, this value is even lower: 1000 mg per day. Always remember to take the lowest dose possible!

🔅

Q: How often can you take Aleve?

A: You can take another tablet of Aleve at 6-8 h after the first dose. For some indications, this period might be even longer - 12 h.

🔅

1. Aleve dosage for pain

   Includes Aleve/naproxen for headache, muscle pain, back pain, etc.

   • Adults: Take 500 mg initially, then continue treatment with:

     • 250 mg every 6-8 h, or
     • 500 mg every 12 h.

   • Children, 12 years or older: 220 mg orally every 8 to 12 hours.

2. Aleve dosage for migraine

   Migraine is a specific type of intense headache.

   [Off label - this is not a typical use of this medication] Take 750 mg per day. You may add up to 500 mg if the migraine doesn't stop - the maximum daily dose is 1250 mg.

3. Aleve dosage for acute gout

   Gout is a type of strong, painful joint inflammation.

   Take 750 mg initially, then follow with 250 mg every 8 hours until no longer needed.

4. Aleve dosage for painful periods (dysmenorrhea)

   Take 500 mg initially, then follow with 250 mg every 6-8 h if needed. Do not exceed 1000 mg per day.

5. Aleve dosage for rheumatism

   Aleve/naproxen is used in a variety of rheumatic disorders.

   Typical dosage for this indication: 250 mg twice per day.

6. Aleve dosage for juvenile arthritis

   Juvenile arthritis is an inflammatory disease of joints that may lead to loss of function of these structures and/or internal organs.

   Typical daily dosage for children over 2 years of age: 10 mg/kg, divided into two doses.

7. Aleve dosage for sciatica

   Pain caused by the irritation of the sciatic nerve - runs & radiates from the lower back to the back of each leg.

   Typical dosage: 500 to 1000 mg per day

8. Aleve PM dosage

   Dosage: 220-440 mg (1 or 2 tablets) before sleep. Do not exceed 2 tablets per 24 h.

Łucja Zaborowska, MD, PhD candidate

⁍ Typical dosage for this indication:
500 mg per day.

⁍ You'll need 2.3 tablets of 220 mg per day. 💊

Take 500 mg initially, then follow with:
• 250 mg every 6-8 h, or
• 500 mg every 12 h, if needed.

Do not exceed 1000 mg per day.

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