Aleve Gel: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

Aleve Gel contains naproxen sodium, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that works as a pain reliever, fever reducer, and anti-inflammatory. It comes as a liquid gel capsule and is used for arthritis pain, muscle aches, headaches, menstrual cramps, and several other types of pain, as well as for reducing fever. It provides fast, long-lasting relief but carries warnings related to stomach, heart, kidney, and allergy risks. Use it only as directed and be aware of its side effects and precautions.

What is Aleve Gel

Aleve Liquid Gels are capsules containing naproxen sodium, a pain reliever and fever reducer. It belongs to a group of medicines called NSAIDs, which reduce pain, fever, and inflammation.

Aleve Gel uses

• Relieves arthritis pain, stiffness, and inflammation
• Relieves joint and body pain
• Relieves muscular aches and muscle sprains and strains
• Relieves backache
• Relieves headache and migraine pain
• Relieves menstrual cramps (dysmenorrhoea)
• Relieves pain of minor surgery
• Relieves toothache and pain of dental extractions
• Relieves minor aches and pain associated with the common cold
• Reduces fever

Benefits of Aleve Gel

• Clinically proven to relieve arthritis pain
• Provides fast and effective pain relief
• Long lasting relief for up to 12 hours with one dose
• Relieves pain experienced day or night due to arthritis

How Aleve Gel works

Naproxen works by blocking substances in the body called prostaglandins, which cause pain, fever, and inflammation. It works both at the site of pain and in the central nervous system, and it starts working quickly.

Aleve Gel dosage

Swallow the capsule whole with a full glass of water; liquid gels need to be swallowed whole. It can be taken on an empty stomach or with food, but taking it with a meal will delay how fast it is absorbed.

Do not use in children under 12 years. For adults 12 to 65 years, space doses 8 to 12 hours apart; for adults over 65, space doses 12 hours apart.

See a doctor if fever lasts more than 3 days or pain lasts longer than 5 days, or if symptoms change. Only use for short-term treatment unless a doctor directs otherwise.

Available forms and strengths

• Capsule (Liquid Gel), 220 mg

Side effects of Aleve Gel

Common

• Heartburn
• Nausea and vomiting
• Ringing or buzzing in the ears
• Bloating
• Diarrhea or constipation
• Dizziness
• Drowsiness
• Headache
• Indigestion/upset stomach
• Abdominal pain

Serious

• Difficulty breathing
• Facial swelling
• Hives, rash, or itching
• Black stools
• Severe abdominal pain
• Any change in vision
• Fluid retention
• Stomach bleeding or ulcers

Warnings and precautions

• Do not use if you've ever had an allergic reaction to naproxen, aspirin, or other NSAIDs, including asthma, hives, or nasal polyps triggered by these drugs, since severe and even fatal allergic reactions can occur.
• Do not use if you have an active stomach ulcer, a history of repeated ulcers, or active bleeding in the stomach or gut.
• Do not use if you have inflammatory bowel disease.
• People older than 65 or who are frail are more likely to have side effects from this medicine, including serious and sometimes fatal stomach problems.
• Taking this medicine with blood thinners increases the risk of bleeding, and this needs close monitoring even when blood tests look normal.
• This medicine may reduce the heart-protective effects of low-dose aspirin, so talk to a doctor before combining them.
• This medicine may impair fertility in women trying to conceive and is not recommended for them.
• Avoid use in the first and second trimester of pregnancy unless a doctor says it's needed, and never use in the third trimester, because it can harm the baby's heart and delay labor.
• This medicine passes into breast milk and should be avoided while breastfeeding unless a doctor says it's clearly needed.
• Do not use if you have severe or worsening kidney disease. People with milder kidney problems should be monitored by a doctor, since NSAIDs can worsen kidney function.
• Do not use if you have severe or active liver disease.
• Drinking three or more alcoholic drinks a day increases your risk of stomach bleeding while taking this medicine.
• If you feel drowsy, dizzy, or lightheaded after taking this medicine, do not drive or operate machinery.

Storage

• Store at 20-25°C
• This package contains enough drug to seriously harm a child. Keep out of children's reach.

When to see a doctor

• Get emergency medical help right away if you have trouble breathing, swelling of the face, hives, rash, or itching.
• Stop taking the medicine and contact a doctor if you notice black stools, severe stomach pain, any change in vision, or fluid retention.
• Call a doctor or poison control center right away if you take too much of this medicine, even if you don't notice any symptoms.
• See a doctor if your fever lasts more than three days or your pain lasts longer than ten days, or if you develop new symptoms like redness or swelling.

Alternatives

• Voltaren Arthritis Pain Gel
• Diclofenac sodium topical gel 1%
• Topical capsaicin
• Acetaminophen when appropriate