Does Naproxen make you sleepy? (3 reviews confirmed) 

In this blog post, we are going to answer the question, “Does Naproxen make you sleepy?”. Naproxen is a Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) which is commonly used to relieve pain and inflammation. 

It can also be used to treat Postoperative pain. However, this medication is associated with a number of side effects including sleepiness. This blog will cover Naproxen-induced sedation and how you can get rid of it. 

Does Naproxen make you sleepy?

Yes, Naproxen can make you feel sleepy. It is included in the list of side effects caused by this NSAID and many people have reported it. However, some experts believe that the pain-relieving effect of Naproxen is the real reason why people feel calm and sleepy after taking this medication.

 Some surveys, however, revealed that Naproxen can cause sedation irrespective of its pain-killing effect. This indicates that Naproxen may make you sleepy as a side effect. 

What actual people have experienced so far? 

Many people have come forward to talk about the sleepiness caused by Naproxen. One user stated:

“I still remember how I suffered when my arthritis was at the peak of its severity. My doctor put me on Naproxen and it helped relieve pain and inflammation, but I always noticed how it made me sleepy. I asked my doctor if Naproxen causes sedation.”

The user continued:

“The doctor told me that I feel sleepy because Naproxen helps relieve the pain that makes me restless and irritated and it makes falling asleep difficult for me. Later I began to notice that even when my pain was less, Naproxen would help me sleep. Though I never talked to my doctor about this again, I believe Naproxen does cause sedation.”

This review shows us that Naproxen can indeed make you feel sleepy irrespective of its pain-killing effect. Another user stated:

“Naproxen has been a life-saving drug for me and my condition, but it always made me sleepy and dizzy. My eyes just start getting heavy soon after the Naproxen kicks in, and when I rest my eyes on my pillow my head just starts spinning. Apart from that, Naproxen has been helping me for more than a decade now.”

Another Naproxen user stated:

“NSAIDs are known for causing gastric side effects, but I always suffered more. Apart from terrible stomach pain, unbearable acidity and heartburn, and constant nausea, I always get sleepy when I take Naproxen. This is why I always try to take it at bedtime, whenever I need one.”

These reviews tell us that Naproxen is indeed capable of making you sleepy and dizzy, but we still can’t rule out the fact that some people feel sleepy after the pain-relieving action of Naproxen. Make sure you report to your healthcare provider if you exhibit any sign of an allergic reaction or any unusual side effect. 

What to do if Naproxen makes you sleepy? 

If your Naproxen makes you sleepy, there are a few things you can try. These include:

Talk to your healthcare provider 

If Naproxen makes you sleepy, the first approach to feel better is to talk to your healthcare provider. Although Naproxen is not associated with severe sedation, it may still cause daytime alertness issues in some people, especially those who are generally sensitive to medications. 

Another important thing to monitor is the dose at which you are. If you are taking more than your doctor has prescribed, immediately go back to the original dose. 

High doses cause side effects more commonly. If you’re taking Naproxen just as directed by your healthcare provider, the medication might not suit you well. In this case, your doctor will ask you to discontinue the drug and may switch you to another one. 

Drink some coffee

If Naproxen messes up your mental alertness during the daytime, you can drink a cup of coffee. Caffeine helps increase your mental alertness because it is a central nervous system (CNS) stimulant. 

It can also help with some of the symptoms associated with the common colds and flu, like headaches and sore throat. However, too much caffeine is not recommended. 

It may spike your anxiety and agitation. This is why everything should be consumed within a certain limit. Excess to everything can give rise to a number of new complications. 

Make sure you have a good sleep hygiene 

Having good sleep hygiene is another way to increase your energy levels. When you don’t sleep well at night, your brain remains a little tired throughout the day and whatever side effect you’re having, it’ll make it feel double. 

This is why you should have a good night’s sleep by maintaining good sleep hygiene. For that purpose, there are some important things to notice:

• Make sure you have a comfortable sleeping environment. Your bedroom lighting should be dim to help you feel calm and relaxed. The temperature should also be relaxing. 

• Do not use any electronic gadgets once you lie in bed to sleep. Laptops and smartphones can significantly decrease the quality of your sleep by activating the melatonin receptors in your eyes. 

• Do not consume heavy meals before bed. Heavy meals do not let your body enter into relaxation mode because your stomach remains busy digesting the food you just ate. This is why keep your stomach empty before bedtime and consume your last meal at least 3 hours before bedtime. 

• Do not drink coffee in the evening or before bedtime. Caffeine has a half-life of about 6 hours and it can stay active in your body for as long as 8 hours. This is why it is not recommended to drink coffee in the evening. 

Make exercise a part of your routine 

Exercising is the best way to increase your energy levels, especially in morning workouts. Experts suggest that going for a walk early in the morning can help start your day in the best of ways. 

It can help increase the amount of serotonin in your body naturally which can help elevate your mood and control your anxiety and depression. It also keeps you energetic throughout the day. 

Make sure to take breaks

If you work during the daytime, always remember to take a break. If you have a desk job, working for a long time in the same position can make you feel less energetic and sleepy. 

Make sure you take breaks in between your job to walk a little or stretch your legs. It helps your muscles breathe and makes you feel more active. 

What are the additional side effects of Naproxen? 

The additional side effects of Naproxen include:

• Nausea 
• Vomiting 
• Diarrhoea 
• Flatulence 
• Constipation 
• Acid reflux 
• Heartburn 
• Dizziness or lightheadedness 
• Drowsiness 
• Insomnia or inability to fall asleep 
• Tingling or pins-and-needles sensation in arms and legs 
• Difficulty in hearing 
• Tinnitus 
• Symptoms associated with cold and flu 
• Headache 
• Excessive thirst or Polydipsia 

Some serious and rare side effects include:

• Allergic reaction associated with symptoms like redness of skin, itching, burning sensation, blisters, blue-purple patches, tightness of chest, wheezing, difficulty in breathing, hoarseness etc. 
• Risk of bleeding 
• Vision problems 
• Unexplained weight gain 
• Swelling or tenderness in different parts of the body.
• Fatigue 
• Arrhythmia 
• Severe back pain
• Pale-coloured skin or eyes
• Confusion 
• Discoloured or bloody urine

Naproxen also comes with some warnings and is not a good drug of choice for some people. It is not suitable to be used in people who are cardiac patients as the use of Naproxen can increase the risk of getting a heart attack in such people. 

If you have a cardiac condition, make sure you ask your healthcare provider before starting to use Naproxen on your own. If you have had a heart attack recently, it’s best to avoid Naproxen. 

It is also not recommended to be used in people who have gastric or duodenal ulcers, Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), or any other gastrointestinal condition. 

Naproxen can increase stomach acidity and can damage the protective gastrointestinal mucosa. It can also cause gastrointestinal bleeding. Make sure you properly inform your doctor if you’re taking any other medication along with Naproxen, especially the following meds:

• Blood thinner or anticoagulants like warfarin, clopidogrel etc
• Other Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) 
• Antidepressants like Fluoxetine, Paroxetine, Sertraline, Escitalopram, Venlafaxine, Imipramine, Amitriptyline, etc. 
• Steroidal medications
• Antipsychotics
• Antihypertensives

Drug interactions should be an important consideration before taking any medication in combination with another. This is why it is important to give details of your medication history to your GP. 

Conclusion

In this blog post, we have discussed Naproxen-induced sleepiness. It is included in the list of side effects caused by this NSAID and many people have reported it. 

However, some experts believe that the pain-relieving effect of Naproxen is the real reason why people feel calm and sleepy after taking this medication. 

Some surveys, however, revealed that Naproxen can cause sedation irrespective of its pain-killing effect. This indicates that Naproxen may make you sleepy as a side effect. Make sure you only take Naproxen if it is prescribed by your healthcare provider. 

FAQs: does naproxen make you sleepy

Does naproxen make you sleep more?

Yes, Naproxen can make you feel sleepy. It is included in the list of side effects caused by this NSAID and many people have reported it. However, some experts believe that the pain-relieving effect of Naproxen is the real reason why people feel calm and sleepy after taking this medication. 

Some surveys, however, revealed that Naproxen can cause sedation irrespective of its pain-killing effect. This indicates that Naproxen may make you sleepy as a side effect. 

Will 500 mg naproxen make me sleepy?

500 mg is a high dose of Naproxen and it will cause more heightened side effects. Apart from sleepiness, it will cause much more harmful effects. Some of them include:

• Nausea 
• Vomiting 
• Diarrhoea 
• Flatulence 
• Constipation 
• Acid reflux 
• Heartburn 
• Dizziness or lightheadedness 
• Drowsiness 
• Insomnia or inability to fall asleep 
• Tingling or pins-and-needles sensation in arms and legs 
• Difficulty in hearing 

Why can’t you lay down for 10 minutes after taking naproxen?

It is not recommended to lie down immediately after taking Naproxen in order to minimise the occurrence of gastrointestinal side effects of this drug. Naproxen can cause GI bleeding and this is why it is not recommended to be used in patients with gastric or duodenal ulcers.

When should you not take Naproxen?

Naproxen comes with some warnings and is not a good drug of choice for some people. It is not suitable to be used in people who are cardiac patients as the use of Naproxen can increase the risk of getting a heart attack in such people. 

If you have a cardiac condition, make sure you ask your healthcare provider before starting to use Naproxen on your own. If you have had a heart attack recently, it’s best to avoid Naproxen. It is also not recommended to be used in people who have a gastric or duodenal ulcer, Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), or any other gastrointestinal condition.

References

• About Naproxen https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/naproxen/about-naproxen/#:~:text=The%20most%20common%20side%20effects,%2C%20drowsiness%2C%20dizziness%20and%20rashes.
• Naproxen oral route https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/naproxen-oral-route/side-effects/drg-20069820?p=1
• Naproxen Side Effects: What To Expect From The Popular Painkiller https://www.theindependentpharmacy.co.uk/pain/guides/naproxen-side-effects