Is it safe to take naproxen before or after exercise, and does regular use affect muscle recovery or increase injury risk?

Quick answer

Taking naproxen (an NSAID) occasionally before or after exercise can be acceptable for short‑term pain relief if you use the lowest effective dose for the shortest time and you don’t have risk factors like stomach ulcers, kidney disease, heart disease, or a history of NSAID allergy. ^{[1] [2]} However, regular use around workouts may blunt some of the normal muscle repair and adaptation processes in younger, healthy individuals, and long‑term or heavy use increases risks such as stomach bleeding, kidney issues, and cardiovascular events. ^{[3] [4]}

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What naproxen does and general safety

Naproxen is a non‑steroidal anti‑inflammatory drug (NSAID) used to reduce pain and inflammation. All NSAIDs carry class warnings: they can raise the risk of heart attack or stroke, cause stomach ulcers/bleeding, and affect the kidneys especially at higher doses or longer durations. ^{[5] [4]} Guidance recommends using NSAIDs at the lowest dose for the shortest time needed and avoiding use right