{"id":629046,"date":"2024-08-06T09:30:38","date_gmt":"2024-08-06T13:30:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=629046"},"modified":"2025-11-21T10:05:06","modified_gmt":"2025-11-21T15:05:06","slug":"how-long-does-naproxen-take-to-kick-in","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/how-long-does-naproxen-take-to-kick-in\/","title":{"rendered":"How long does naproxen take to kick in?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Naproxen, most commonly sold under the brand names <\/span>Aleve<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>Naprosyn<\/span><\/a>, and <\/span>Anaprox<\/span><\/a>, is one of the most popular pain relievers available. It\u2019s widely prescribed to treat certain types of acute and chronic pain, and it can also be purchased over the counter (OTC) in lower doses. It works by reducing prostaglandins, which are substances that trigger pain and inflammation.<\/span><\/p>\n

But with so many other pain relievers out there, if you need quick relief from pain, it\u2019s fair to ask: How fast-acting is naproxen? And is naproxen your best choice? It depends on what you\u2019re using the medication to treat, and the form that you take. This medication can work as quickly as 30 minutes or take up to three days to provide relief.<\/span><\/p>\n\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t Naproxen 500 mg (60 Tablets)\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t23666 - Hampton, VA\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\"Kroger\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t$7.34\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\ti<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\tPrice with signup<\/a>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\tGet free coupon<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\"Harris\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t$7.34\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\ti<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\tPrice with signup<\/a>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\tGet free coupon<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\tSee Naproxen prices at all pharmacies<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n

How long does it take for naproxen to work?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Naproxen<\/span><\/a> can provide pain relief in as little as half an hour or take three days to begin alleviating chronic inflammation. How fast it takes effect depends on the reason you\u2019re taking the medication and the form.<\/span><\/p>\n

Naproxen has two main uses:<\/span><\/p>\n

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  1. Pain relief: <\/b>It takes about <\/span>30 minutes<\/span><\/a> to start relieving pain. The timeframe is about the same for other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like <\/span>aspirin<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>Advil<\/span><\/a> (<\/span>ibuprofen<\/span><\/a>). However, the analgesic effects of naproxen last up to seven to twelve hours, while other NSAIDs only provide between four and six hours of pain relief.<\/span><\/li>\n
  2. Reduce inflammation: <\/b>\u201cFor patients using naproxen for chronic inflammation, it may take at least three days for the full effects,\u201d says Danielle Fixen, Pharm.D., an associate professor at the <\/span>University of Colorado Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences<\/span><\/a>. Although naproxen starts to relieve pain quickly, it may take two to four weeks of regular use to achieve its peak anti-inflammatory effects. It can help alleviate chronic inflammation associated with conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, bursitis, menstrual issues (such as menstrual cramps and period pain), ankylosing spondylitis, and tendonitis.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Prescription naproxen is available<\/span><\/a> in several forms:<\/span><\/p>\n