Is Naproxen Safe for People with Egg Allergy?

Naproxen (including common over‑the‑counter brands like Aleve) is generally considered safe for people with egg allergy because typical oral naproxen products do not list egg, egg proteins, or egg‑derived excipients among their ingredients. Standard naproxen tablets and gelcaps commonly contain excipients such as hypromellose, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, polyethylene glycol, povidone, dyes, gelatin, glycerin, talc, and titanium dioxide not egg. ^[1] Ingredient lists for multiple naproxen sodium products confirm no egg‑derived components. ^{[2] [3]}

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What’s Actually in Common Naproxen Products

• Aleve Gelcaps (naproxen sodium 220 mg): Inactive ingredients include gelatin, glycerin, hypromellose, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, polyethylene glycol, povidone, stearic acid, talc, and titanium dioxide, plus colorants. No egg‑derived ingredients are listed. ^[1] Alternate Aleve gelcap listings show the same excipients profile without egg. ^[4]
• Aleve Caplets/Tablets: Inactive ingredients include hypromellose, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, polyethylene glycol(s), povidone, talc, titanium dioxide, and dyes. Egg is not listed. ^[5] Travel/Basix and other Aleve tablet variants likewise omit egg. ^{[3] [6]}
• Naproxen combination products (e.g., cold and sinus with pseudoephedrine): Inactive ingredients commonly include hypromellose grades, croscarmellose sodium, silicon dioxide, ferric oxides, polyethylene glycol, and cellulose. These products also do not list egg‑based excipients. ^{[7] [8]}

Bottom line: Ingredient disclosures for widely used naproxen products do not include egg or egg‑derived substances. ^{[1] [5]}

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Special Notes on Gelcaps and Suspensions

• Gelcaps: The “soft” or coated gelcaps often list gelatin and glycerin as shell components. Gelatin in OTC naproxen gelcaps is typically porcine or bovine, not egg‑derived. ^[1]
• Oral suspensions: Some naproxen liquid formulations list excipients like glycerin, sorbitol solution, polysorbates, sodium benzoate, and flavors. These do not indicate egg derivation. ^[9] Always check the specific product label, as flavors and stabilizers can vary by manufacturer. ^[9]

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About Excipients and Food Allergies

While naproxen itself and common tablet/gelcap excipients are not egg‑derived, it’s helpful to understand excipients (the “inactive” ingredients in medicines). Excipients can sometimes come from foods and may carry trace proteins, which can matter for people with severe allergies. ^[10] Studies have measured residual proteins in certain food‑derived excipients (for example, milk proteins in lactose; proteins in soybean, peanut, sesame oils), highlighting why label review matters for sensitive individuals. ^[11] Naproxen tablets often use mineral, cellulose, and polymer excipients rather than egg‑based materials. ^{[2] [3]}

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Practical Safety Guidance

• Check the exact product label: Brands and dosage forms can differ. Look for an ingredient list; standard naproxen tablets and gelcaps do not list egg. ^{[1] [5]}
• Avoid assumptions about “gel” or “lecithin”: Gelatin is animal‑derived and not related to egg; lecithin used in some formulations is commonly soy‑derived, not egg, and is not a typical excipient in standard naproxen tablets. Naproxen products listed here do not include egg lecithin. ^{[1] [2]}
• Consider cross‑allergies only if extremely sensitive: If your egg allergy is severe with history of anaphylaxis to trace exposures, use products with transparent labeling and consult a pharmacist to verify excipients for your specific brand. ^[10] This is especially prudent for flavored liquids or specialty formulations, although common naproxen forms remain egg‑free by ingredient. ^[9]

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Summary Table: Egg‑Derived Ingredients in Common Naproxen Products

Product	Lists Egg or Egg‑Derived Ingredients?	Key Inactive Ingredients (examples)
Aleve Gelcaps (naproxen sodium 220 mg)	No	Gelatin, glycerin, hypromellose, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, PEG, povidone, stearic acid, talc, titanium dioxide, dyes. [1]
Aleve Caplets/Tablets	No	Hypromellose, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, PEG(s), povidone, talc, titanium dioxide, dyes. [5]
Aleve Travel/Basix Tablets	No	Aluminum oxide, FD&C Blue No. 2, hypromellose, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose. [3] [6]
Naproxen + Pseudoephedrine (Cold & Sinus)	No	Hypromellose grades, croscarmellose sodium, silicon dioxide, ferric oxides, PEG 4000, cellulose. [7] [12]
Naproxen Oral Suspensions (examples)	No (check label)	Glycerin, sorbitol solution, polysorbate, flavors, sodium benzoate, sodium saccharin, water. [9]

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Bottom Line

For most people with egg allergy, naproxen products (tablets, caplets, gelcaps, and common suspensions) do not contain egg or egg‑derived ingredients according to published ingredient lists. Review your specific product’s label to be sure, and if your egg allergy is severe, consider confirming excipients with your pharmacist before use. ^{[1] [5] [2] [3] [9] [10]}