Aleve and Alcohol
Aleve (Naproxen) is one of the most common pain relievers that are available over the counter to consumers. When this pain reliever is combined with other substances that depress normal functions of the body such, risks present themselves. The combination of Aleve and alcohol may not cause serious side effects at first, but if they are combined on a continual basis, it can cause serious damage to the body. Furthermore, alcohol has the ability to cause serious health concerns over prolonged periods-of-time, which is why it is recommended to avoid combining these two substances.
Possible Risks and Side Effects
Even if individuals do not drink alcoholic beverages when they take Aleve, health risks are still present. Aleve is a pain reliever that generally stays in the bloodstream for up to twelve hours. Accordingly, alcohol has a tendency to stay in the bloodstream for the same amount of time, depending on how much has been consumed. When these two substances are consumed within short time periods, they can damage the stomach, liver, and kidney over time. NSAIDS are known to increase the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding, which is why alcohol amplifies the risks that are associated with Aleve.
Since alcohol is a substance that has a high capability of causing inflammation and ruptures within the stomach, this cancels out the effects of NSAIDS in the body. This happens because alcohol does not support healthy cellular functions within your body and may inhibit the digestion and absorption of foods and nutrients, therefore weakening the pain relieving action of NSAIDS.
Furthermore, alcohol depresses the central and peripheral nervous system that can slow down the perception of pain in the body. The consecutive use of Aleve and alcohol does not promote pain-relieving action as many people might think.
Safety Precautions
Generally, Doctors and Pharmacists do not recommend individuals drink alcohol when they have taken Aleve (Naproxen) within twelve hours. According to research based studies, the consumption of alcohol and the prolonged use of NSAIDS can lead to stomach bleeds that alter the pH of the stomach. Therefore, alcohol consumption can lead to more severe health concerns.
There is no safe amount of alcohol to consume with NSAIDS, although sporadic alcohol consumption may present no symptoms at all. Individuals can safely use Aleve while drinking when they take safety precautions to make sure that one substance is out of the bloodstream before using another.
