Can you take Naproxen with Codeine?

Naproxen and Codeine are both effective painkiller medications that work in different ways to relieve pain and discomfort. 

Naproxen is a Non Steroidal Anti-inflammatory drug  (NSAID) that works by inhibiting the enzymes that produce pain signals in the body. 

Codeine is an opioid analgesic which activates opioid receptors in the brain and spinal cord, altering pain and discomfort perceptions. 

Taking both medicines together is an effective, safe and strong way of treating pain in the body caused by conditions such as arthritis, muscle pain or menstrual issues. 

You can purchase both Naproxen and Codeine from Meds For Less and expect delivery to your home address within 24 hours. 

How Naproxen and Codeine Work in the Body

Naproxen and Codeine are both pain relieving drugs but they work in different ways in the body. 

Naproxen is a Non Steroidal Anti-inflammatory drug  (NSAID) that works by inhibiting Cyclo-oyxengase enzyme-1 and 2. These enzymes are responsible for the production of Prostaglandins , chemicals which are responsible for pain transmission and inflammation  in your body. By reducing the production of prostaglandins, naproxen helps to relieve pain, swelling and stiffness.

Naproxen is mostly used in the treatment of conditions like arthritis, muscle pain, menstrual cramps and general- inflammation related pain. 

Codeine is an opioid based analgesic (painkiller) that works by activating opioid receptors on the brain and spinal cord, consequently reducing pain perception and pain tolerance. Codeine is used for mild to moderate pain conditions such as: Post-operative pain after surgery, injury related pains (like sprains or fractures), dental related pains (such as after tooth extractions) or migraine headaches (in combination with other painkillers).

When taken together, Naproxen reduces inflammation while codeine reduces pain perception by the brain. When taken together, these medicines help in the treatment of moderate to severe pain. 

Can You Take Naproxen and Codeine Together?

Naproxen and codeine can be taken together under medical supervision and they work in different ways to relieve pain. This makes their combination effective at managing moderate to severe pain. 

Naproxen works as an NSAID to reduce pain, swelling and inflammation, and codeine works as an opioid analgesic to change how the body perceives pain. 

The combination of these medicines and their mechanisms of action makes them very effective for managing pain and discomfort in conditions like arthritis, post-surgical pain and musculoskeletal injuries. 

These medications can be taken together if prescribed by a doctor as they are strong painkiller medicines and your doctor can help you monitor for side effects such as drowsiness, dizziness, nausea , stomach irritation or increased risk of constipation. 

Potential Benefits of Combining Naproxen and Codeine

Combining Naproxen (NSAID) and codeine (Opioid analgesic) provides enhanced pain relief due to the combined effect of the different mechanisms of actions. This combination is often prescribed for moderate to severe pain that does not respond to a singular medicine. Some of the benefits this combination offers include:

• Enhanced pain relief 
  • Naproxen reduces inflammation which addresses the underlying cause of the pain
  • Codeine alters pain perception which makes the discomfort more tolerable
  • Working together, both medicines provider better pain control than either one does alone.
• Suitable for a variety of pain conditions such as:
  • Post-operative surgery pain
  • Musculoskeletal pain such as arthritis, back pain, sprains
  • Injury-related pains such as fractures or soft tissue injuries
  • Severe headaches or migraines (in severe case)
• Reduced need for higher opioid doses
  • Since Naproxen helps manage pain at its source, allowing for lower doses of codeine reduces the risk of opioid dependence and it’s side effects. 
• Longer-Lasting Pain relief
  • Naproxen has a long half life (up to 12 hours) and provides sustained pain relief
  • Codeine’s immediate acting effects complement Naproxen, providing both immediate and long term pain relief.

A prescription for Naproxen and Codeine together, can offer many potential benefits including enhanced pain relief, longer lasting pain relief and pain relief for a variety of conditions. 

Risks and Side Effects of Using Naproxen with Codeine

While using a prescribed combination of Naproxen and Codeine can bring enhanced pain relief, it can also come with potential risks and side effects that should  be considered. 

Common but mild side effects  include:

• For Naproxen:
  • Stomach pain or indigestion
  • Heartburn
  • Nausea and Vomiting
  • Dizziness or headache 
• For Codeine:
  • Drowsiness
  • Dizziness
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Constipation

Serious risks and side effects (these tend to be more rare):

• Gastrointestinal (GI) issues due to Naproxen:
  • • Long term use can increase risk of Stomach ulcers or bleeding
    • Inflammation of the stomach lining (gastritis)
• Opioid dependence and addiction risks to codeine
  • • As codeine is an opioid, prolonged use can increase the risk of physical dependence and addiction.
    • Tolerance – requiring higher doses over time to achieve the same effect
• Respiratory depression due to codeine
  • • High doses can slow breathing to life-threateningly low rates
• Kidney damage due to Naproxen 
  • • Long term uses can reduce kidney function, especially in people who already have kidney disease
• Cardiovascular risks due to Naproxen
  • • Heart attacks
    • Hypertension
    • Stroke 
    • Heart failure 
• Allergies:
• • • Severe allergic reaction leading to swelling of the lips, tongue, face or throat- which can be life threatening
    • If you experience any degree of allergic reaction while taking Naproxen or Codeine, immediately stop taking these medicines and seek medical help.

If you feel that any adverse effects of taking Naproxen, Codeine or both together are intolerable to you, then please stop taking the medicines and consult your healthcare provider as soon as possible. 

Who Should Avoid Taking Naproxen and Codeine Together?

The combination of Naproxen (NSAID) or Codeine (Opioid analgesic)  is effective for pain relief but should be avoided or used in caution in certain individuals due to potential health risks such as:

• People with stomach or digestive issues
  • History of stomach ulcers (Naproxen can worsen these conditions) 
  • Those with Gastro-esophageal reflux disease (Naproxen can increase stomach acid production and worsen this condition)
  • Irritable bowel syndrome  (both drugs can cause stomach upset and worsen symptoms)
• Individuals with kidney or liver disease
  • Naproxen can worsen Chronic Kidney Disease
  • Liver disease or cirrhosis as Codeine can make these conditions worse
• People with heart conditions
  • History of heart attack or stroke (Naproxen can increase the risk of these happening again)
  • High blood pressure (Naproxen can further raise blood pressure and cause fluid retention)
• Those with respiratory disorders
  • Asthma or COPD (Codeine can cause breathing problems or worsen respiratory issues and naproxen can worsen asthma)
  • Sleep apnoea (codeine can slow breathing and worsen sleep-related breathing)
• People at risk of opioid dependence or addiction
  • Codeine has addictive potential and can exacerbate any underlying history of dependence or addiction
• Pregnant or breastfeeding women
  • Pregnancy: Naproxen can cause birth defects in babies, especially if used in the third trimester of pregnancy
  • Breastfeeding – codeine can pass through the breastmilk to the child and cause breathing difficulties for the baby. 

When to Consult a Doctor

You should consult a doctor before starting and codeine together if any of the following conditions apply:

• If you have a pre-existing medical conditions such as:
  • Stomach ulcers, acid-reflux or history of gastro-intestinal bleeding
  • Kidney or liver disease
  • Heart disease, high blood pressure or stroke
  • Asthma, COPD or breathing disorders
  • Seizure disorders or epilepsy 
• Experience severe side effects:
  • Seek medical attention if you experience any of the following side effects:
  • Stomach pain, vomiting or black stools
  • Extreme drowsiness, confusion or difficulty waking up
  • Shortness of breath or slow breathing
  • Allergic reactions (rash, swelling or difficulty breathing)
• Are in a High risk group such as:
  • Pregnant or breastfeeding women
  • Elderly individuals (65+)
  • Children and adolescents (under 18+)
• Are taking other medicines such as:
  • Other NSAIDs (e.g. Ibuprofen, or aspirin)
  • Blood thinners (e.g. Warfarin)
  • Antidepressants or sedatives (can dangerously interact with codiene)

FAQ