For over-the-counter use, you can take one Aleve tablet (220 mg of naproxen sodium) every 8 to 12 hours, with a maximum of two to three tablets in 24 hours. Each dose provides pain relief that lasts up to 12 hours, which is why Aleve requires fewer doses throughout the day than most other over-the-counter pain relievers.
Standard OTC Dosing Schedule
Each Aleve tablet or capsule contains 220 mg of naproxen sodium. For your first dose, you can take one or two tablets. After that, take one tablet every 8 to 12 hours as needed. Do not exceed three tablets (660 mg) in a 24-hour period unless directed otherwise by a doctor.
Drink a full glass of water with each dose. If the pill bothers your stomach, taking it with food or milk can help. For pain relief, the OTC label recommends not using Aleve for more than 10 consecutive days without medical guidance. For fever, the limit is 3 days.
Why Aleve Lasts Longer Than Ibuprofen
One of the main reasons people choose Aleve over ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) is the dosing schedule. Ibuprofen needs to be taken every 4 to 6 hours, meaning you could be taking it four to six times a day. Aleve is a long-acting pain reliever, so twice a day is typically enough. If you find it inconvenient to keep re-dosing throughout the day, or you want overnight pain coverage, Aleve’s 8-to-12-hour duration is a practical advantage.
Prescription Doses Are Different
The numbers above apply to over-the-counter Aleve. Prescription naproxen comes in higher-strength tablets (250 mg, 375 mg, 500 mg, or 750 mg) and follows different schedules depending on the condition being treated. For chronic conditions like rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis, doctors may prescribe up to 1,500 mg per day. For pain from bursitis, tendinitis, or menstrual cramps, the usual ceiling is 1,000 mg per day, though some patients may temporarily go up to 1,375 or 1,500 mg. These higher doses should only be taken under medical supervision.
Who Should Take Less or Avoid It Entirely
Not everyone should follow the standard dosing schedule. Adults over 65 are at higher risk for stomach bleeding and kidney problems from naproxen and generally benefit from using the lowest effective dose for the shortest time possible. People with moderate to severe kidney disease should not take Aleve. Those with severe heart failure should also avoid it unless a doctor has weighed the risks and benefits.
You should not take Aleve at all if you’ve had an allergic reaction to aspirin or other anti-inflammatory pain relievers, especially reactions involving hives, facial swelling, or asthma symptoms. It’s also contraindicated shortly before or after coronary artery bypass surgery.
Pregnant women should avoid Aleve at 30 weeks or later because it can cause a serious complication with fetal heart development. Between 20 and 30 weeks, use should be limited to the lowest dose and shortest duration possible.
Medications That Change the Risk
Several common medications interact with naproxen in ways that matter for how often, or whether, you should take it. If you’re already taking another anti-inflammatory pain reliever (including aspirin for heart protection), adding Aleve on top increases your risk of stomach ulcers and gastrointestinal bleeding. The same goes for blood thinners like warfarin, as well as certain antidepressants (SSRIs and SNRIs), which all raise bleeding risk when combined with naproxen.
If you take blood pressure medication, including ACE inhibitors, ARBs, beta-blockers, or diuretics, naproxen can reduce their effectiveness. In older adults or anyone who is dehydrated, this combination can also strain the kidneys. If you’re on any of these medications, the frequency and duration of Aleve use becomes something to discuss with a pharmacist or doctor rather than manage on your own.
Tips for Getting the Most From Each Dose
Because Aleve works for up to 12 hours, timing your doses strategically can make a difference. If pain tends to wake you at night, taking a dose before bed can carry you through to morning. If you know a particular activity will trigger soreness, taking Aleve about an hour beforehand gives it time to reach full effect.
Stick with the lowest dose that controls your pain. Starting with one tablet rather than two is a reasonable approach for mild to moderate pain. If one tablet handles it, there’s no benefit to taking more, and you reduce your risk of side effects like stomach irritation. If you find yourself needing Aleve regularly for more than a week or two, that’s a signal to look into the underlying cause of the pain rather than continuing to manage it with over-the-counter doses.