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Naproxen for Headache User Reviews

Brand names: Aleve, Naprosyn, Naproxen Sodium DS, Flanax Pain Reliever, Anaprox-DS, Naprelan, Aleve Back and Muscle Pain, Midol Extended Relief, Aflaxen, Pamprin All Day Relief, Comfort Pac with Naproxen, EC-Naprosyn All Day Pain Relief All Day Relief …show all brand names

Naproxen has an average rating of 7.7 out of 10 from a total of 41 reviews for the treatment of Headache. 71% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 17% reported a negative experience.

Naproxen rating summary

7.7 average rating out of 10

41 ratings from 44 user reviews.

Compare all 258 medications used in the treatment of Headache.

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Reviews for Naproxen

  • Anonymous
  • Taken for 6 months to 1 year
  • December 27, 2013

"I was prescribed naproxen by my neurologist for menstrual migraines that left me debilitated every month with severe vomiting. I now take 500mg each morning and night a few days before my period is due. I started taking this preventative treatment of naproxen six months ago. I still get headaches and occasional migraines but they are less severe and I have no vomiting. Before taking Naproxen, I was having at least three days off work each month. I haven't had any time off since starting the tablets - really have improved my quality of life."

8 / 10
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92 Report
  • Vic...
  • Taken for 6 months to 1 year
  • April 22, 2016

"Suffer from severe headache, and usually no medicine works. But by chance, on holiday, I had one of these that belongs to my mum, and I couldn't believe how quickly it disappeared. As soon as I feel a migraine coming on, I take naproxen now, and it goes quickly."

10 / 10
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48 Report
  • CLe...
  • August 29, 2015

Aleve (naproxen) "Wow, has this changed my life. I was a longtime sufferer of migraines and headaches. Advil and Tylenol are like candy to me now and don't do a thing to relieve pain. Even heavy prescribed migraine drugs by my doctor did not work as much as Aleve does! It is simply, for my part, miraculous! It works 99.9% of the time. It works to prevent a headache when I feel it coming. It also works to break the headache or migraine when it is already ongoing and painful. And most of the time, a single pill works. I have to say I really hope my body doesn't become used to Aleve and therefore make it less effective. So far, after a little more than a year taking Aleve, it still is perfectly effective in my case. Don't hesitate to try!"

10 / 10
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48 Report

Frequently asked questions

  • DTa...
  • August 9, 2016

"I'm 40 and have been a long-life sufferer of migraines, especially 3/4 days before my period. My migraines would last 4/5 days, with the first day not able to function at all. I will be looking for a cool, dark, and quiet room to lay my body in and not to speak. Since I was prescribed Naproxen 250 mg, I started taking 2 just as I start feeling a tingle of it coming. It doesn't stop it altogether, but it eases it. It made my life a lot better. I get a lot fewer episodes of migraine that don't last long. I also made a change in my lifestyle. I make sure I avoid stress when I can. I do take at least a day when I don't do anything but chill, not even housework. My diet has always been very healthy and balanced, so I know it's not that."

9 / 10
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40 Report
  • Geo...
  • April 15, 2016

"Third month on naproxen and can't believe how much it has changed my life. I used to suffer with migraines and tension headaches a week before my period, lasting throughout my period, leaving me in excruciating pain. Since taking naproxen, my headache pain has reduced by 80%."

9 / 10
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40 Report

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  • Mar...
  • November 1, 2015

"I have been using this drug for 2 years now. Every time I feel like I am starting a migraine, I take one pill, and it kills it in no time. I have not gotten a single episode of migraine since I started to take this pill. It is magical. I used to have really bad migraines that made me vomit."

10 / 10
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39 Report
  • Anonymous
  • August 18, 2008

"This is a great drug. It is fast-acting and effective. I get severe migraines, and this drug works really well. It stops it in its tracks, which is a blessing to me, as some of my migraines last 3 days."

9 / 10
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56 Report

More FAQ

  • Awe...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • December 13, 2013

"I have recently started using naproxen (prescription) for my migraines. I generally get migraines during my menstrual cycle, and the doctor recommended taking naproxen (500 mg) every 12 hrs of that special week, and so far, it seems to be working. On other random days, if I feel the slightest inkling of a migraine coming on, I take one naproxen, and it seems to keep the migraine at bay. Naproxen has helped me have more control over my migraines, the odd time, I still have to take a migraine pill, such as Zomig."

9 / 10
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41 Report
  • chi...
  • June 30, 2013

"I have my headaches mostly under control with Vivactil. But I do occasionally feel one coming on, and for that, I am now taking naproxen. Used to take Vicodin. No more. I went from almost daily killer headaches to an occasional one, and so far, one naproxen has worked."

10 / 10
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39 Report
  • Eli...
  • July 25, 2015

Aleve (naproxen) "My head and base of the neck started hurting three days ago. The pain also moved from place to place and was so abnormal that I scheduled a doctor's appointment for next week. This pain even made my 'hair' hurt. It felt like spots in the central back part of my head had been 'bruised,' and again, the pain location changed from the back center of the head to my upper neck to the back of my ears and then to the top. Prescription pain medicine left over from a surgery didn't help. Last night, I took 3 Aleve out of desperation. I fell asleep and woke up a few hours later feeling much, much better. I will still see my doctor, but I won't be a crazy person by the time I get there."

10 / 10
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28 Report
  • Roj...
  • January 9, 2016

"For the very first time EVER, a medication worked for my migraine. My carrier would not cover the originally prescribed medication, so Dr. ordered naproxen and sumatriptan. I took it, not expecting much, but I was wrong. My migraine felt like day 3 of a migraine. I could not believe it. I have had migraines for over 30 years, and nothing has ever, ever made any difference. I carry them both with me everywhere!"

9 / 10
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26 Report
  • MsE...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • December 1, 2015

"I was suffering from the common cold and had symptoms of dry cough, congested sinuses, large headache, slight ear pain, sore throat, and muscle pain in my knees and gluteus maximus. I couldn't eat anything either and at times felt like vomiting. Also, I would wake up in the middle of sleeping, mumbling from my symptoms and pain. And, I would sleep long hours, and no sleep was enough for me. Taking naproxen 220 mg and sleeping that night, I felt 10 times better. The headache was gone, and so was the muscle pain. I slept well that night. I feel like I could do the usual tasks (including eating) now."

9 / 10
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24 Report
  • Dee...
  • May 25, 2013

"I suffered severe and excruciating pain, sensitivity to light, nausea, vomiting, cold sweats every morning due to migraines. I tried almost every pain medicine in the book and only found relief when the doctor prescribed Naprosyn. I can't remember the dosage, sorry. But it was a 12-hour pill, so I was able to take it at night and not have to wait 20 minutes of pain like other medicines to kick in. It really was a Godsend for me!"

10 / 10
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27 Report
  • kd5...
  • Taken for 2 to 5 years
  • May 21, 2021

"THE ONLY DRUG THAT HELPS ANY PAIN I HAVE IN MY BODY! From migraines to severe period cramps. Naproxen 500mg twice a day (sometimes I even do three times a day) is seriously the only thing that saves me! If the pain is that bad, I will take a Tylenol with it, but normally it does the trick on its own."

10 / 10
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7 Report
  • Try...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • August 22, 2019

Aleve (naproxen) "I purchased liquid capsules Aleve for a headache. I took 2 and I didn't experience any relief at all over a 10 hour period. The pills are very large, but the gel capsule made swallowing easier. I wouldn't purchase these again."

1 / 10
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9 Report
  • sta...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • July 23, 2019

"500mg of prescription Naproxen stopped my daily migraines. I had been taking over the counter meds non stop all day to try and control them, and I was getting no where. I had been spending about $60 per month or more on useless tylenol rapid release or advil liquid gels. I really think they are just a placebo to get people to spend money. My headaches would get so bad I'd throw up or have to go to the emergency. This drug is a miracle for me. I strongly recommend asking your dr for a prescription if OTC meds don't help you either."

10 / 10
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8 Report
  • Bas...
  • Taken for 10 years or more
  • December 21, 2019

"Naproxen works well for my migraines. I always eat something or take it with milk to protect my stomach. If my migraine has progressed to me vomiting, I need to take maxalon and then wait for 30 mins to an hour, then I take naproxen (750mg) this knocks out the migraine pretty quickly for me, I will just feel pretty washed out for the rest of the day."

10 / 10
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7 Report
  • 1_k...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • October 23, 2018

Aleve (naproxen) "Took 3 Aleve liqued gels within 2 hrs and it progressive made my headache worse and I had an event to go to later that evening too. Not very reliable. Advil works more effectively even if I have to take 3+"

1 / 10
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8 Report
  • Ada...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • November 14, 2017

"I was just prescribed naproxen 500 mg for degenerative arthritis. It really takes the pain away from the arthritis but it also works for my wife who gets occasional menstrual headaches, migraines and seasonal allergy sinus headaches. She also takes vistaril for allergies but it doesn't get rid of the headaches. Me personally, only Excedrin migraine extra strength...but that might be the caffeine lol"

9 / 10
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6 Report
  • Edw...
  • February 25, 2020

"I get headaches after I take naproxen 500mg it helps me with my carpal tunnel syndrome but those headaches start kicking in once I take 1 naproxen, tried cutting in half but yet again get those headaches."

6 / 10
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4 Report
  • Gga...
  • Taken for 10 years or more
  • May 15, 2020

"I have taken Naproxen for 31 years. Have to protect my stomach. Went to doctors, trials etc. Had daily headaches and high SED rate. I am praying my stomach and heart will be okay. I would not have been able to work and live a full life without it. I do take a prescription. You must take it on a full stomach and with Prilosec."

10 / 10
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4 Report
  • Ste...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • April 17, 2022

"Was prescribed 500mg 2 times a day for head pressure I was having. Omg I took just 2 pills and have the worst stomach cramps that feel like I’m having contractions. I thought I was starting my period but nothing it hurts so bad… also I can’t sleep at all and keep waking up out my sleep panicking and feeling weird which is a known side effect. While it did help with my headache there has to be a better way… my stomach hurts so bad I’m on vacation and want to go to the hospital smh. Be cautious using this and I never have issues or experience much side effect with medication."

2 / 10
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1 Report
  • ang...
  • June 26, 2008

"Take one naproxen 500 for severe sinus headaches. Within 20 minutes, you are back to normal. The best drug ever invented!"

10 / 10
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54 Report
  • Sou...
  • July 13, 2013

"I was prescribed naproxen for menstrual cramps due to endometriosis, but it works wonders on headaches!"

9 / 10
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32 Report
  • Anonymous
  • August 20, 2011

Aleve (naproxen) "Caused vomiting and gave me the worst headache."

1 / 10
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36 Report
Reviews may be edited to correct grammar/spelling or to remove inappropriate language and content. Reviews that appear to be created by parties with a vested interest are not published. This information is not intended to endorse any particular medication. While these reviews may be helpful, they are not a substitute for the expertise, knowledge, and judgement of healthcare professionals.