Naproxen and Stomach Pain: What Users Say

• Kar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 2, 2018

For Sciatica "Prescribed 500 mg twice a day of naproxen along with codeine and oramorph for my first sciatic episode. I stopped the oramorph after a couple of days as I hated the way it made me feel, and the codeine lasted about 5 days. Now, had 5 days of just the naproxen. The pain is unbearable in the morning, and I don't know if the pain goes to a manageable level because I start to move or because my morning dose has kicked in. I'm getting some weird side effects like numb fingers and bad stomach pains, so I don't know if I should quit taking the drug to see if I still need it or not."

• Cat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 20, 2018

For Back Pain "I tore my trapezius and was prescribed naproxen and co-codamol. I was fine during the daytime on this cocktail and took it with food as instructed. On the first night, I was awoken in the early hours with the most excruciating stomach pain, nausea, and dizziness. My stomach feels tender to the touch. Researched both drugs online, and naproxen is the clear culprit. Not taking it again."

• Bro...
• October 29, 2009

Naproxen for Tendonitis "Aleve helped with pain. Took 1 pill after dinner but had bad side effects. Stomach pain really sharp, bloating, diarrhea, my intestines were making noises, runny bloody stools. Pain was unbearable. No more Aleve for me."

• She...
• October 16, 2017

For Tendonitis "I went to the doctor after having pain in my elbow. I thought it was tennis elbow, but my doctor dismissed it as tendonitis and quickly prescribed me Naproxen 500 mg to be taken twice daily. I made sure I took it after food, and on the third day in, I started experiencing stomach pain and indigestion/heartburn. This continued over the next 2 days with increased pain and feeling bloated. On the fifth day, stiffness started creeping in all over my body, so bad that I couldn't take my own clothes off. It is now day 6. I haven't taken any tablets and had to spend the day in bed. It has even made my breasts feel very sore. I feel as though I've been in a horrendous car crash. I will definitely not be taking this drug ever again. I'm usually a very fit 49-year-old."

• Ian...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 29, 2019

For Back Pain "I suffer with chronic back pain. Naproxen is the only painkiller to ease it. Take it with omeprazole, though, as it can give you stomach ulcers/bleeding, which I had when I was taking it every day. I now just take it as and when required and with omeprazole."

• lau...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 17, 2019

For Tendonitis "Was prescribed prescription-strength naproxen for a rotator cuff injury, let me tell you... took it around dinner time, and about 45 minutes later, got the worst stomach pain I’ve ever experienced. Has been going on for 3 hours now, and stomach pain has not gotten any better. Considered going to the ER, it’s that bad."

• Jul...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 15, 2020

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "Started having naproxen 500 mg twice a day with omeprazole for the last five weeks. It seemed to work well with my arthritis in my hands and with my new replacement knee. I now have had to stop this medication due to stomach issues: pain in the stomach and tar-like stools (gastric bleed?). So it is back to the doctor to seek an alternative medicine."

• Mar...
• September 11, 2017

For Tendonitis "My doctor prescribed 500 mg twice a day as needed for my shoulder pain. I immediately had stomach pain and nausea, so I only took it once daily at bedtime, as my shoulder pain is worse at night. Pain went away, but the nausea and stomach pain are back, along with headaches. I quit completely three days ago; nausea and headaches are still present at times, but getting better. Naproxen is history for me, never again. Good old Tylenol will have to do from now on."

• Cha...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 1, 2016

For Pain "Gives me noticeable stomach pain on occasion, and I only take it when I am desperate due to the risk of it causing stomach ulcers/intestine bleeding in otherwise healthy people. It works very well to stop joint and menstrual pain, though, and also relaxes my joints and gives greater flexibility."

• Cha...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 1, 2016

For Pain "Gives me noticeable stomach pain on occasion, and I only take it when I am desperate due to the risk of it causing stomach ulcers/intestine bleeding in otherwise healthy people. It works very well to stop joint and menstrual pain, though, and also relaxes my joints and gives greater flexibility."

• tru...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 10, 2025

Naproxen for Back Pain "I took Aleve for the first time for two weeks on and off. I took one pill as per package instructions. It did work on my back pain, but soon I started having a side effect. It wasn't something I connected to Aleve at first because I'd taken Advil in the past with no problems. My stomach began to hurt. By the second week, it was noticeably worse. I couldn't sleep because of the pain. Soon, it spread to my chest, which scared me enough to make a trip to the ER. The ER doctor said it wasn't a heart attack. But he did mention Aleve as the possible culprit. When I went online, I saw many others dealing with the same side effect. I was in pain for another week. It finally started to subside. But I'll be billed for whatever copayments I owe for the ER visit. Who do I bill for the emotional trauma? I do not believe this medication should be sold over the counter."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• November 8, 2012

Naproxen for Ankylosing Spondylitis "Works very well for back pain, especially when it also affects the surrounding muscles. But you should always take it after a meal, as it can cause serious stomach pain."

• Mas...
• April 12, 2018

For Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis "Although it's a great pain reliever for my son, it has caused terrible stomach pains and a flare of asthma. The worst was anaphylaxis and a trip to the A&E. No more naproxen for us :("