Based on NIH | Does drinking green tea at night interact with naproxen or increase the risk of side effects?

Drinking green tea at night generally does not have a well‑documented, clinically significant interaction with naproxen for most people, but a few practical considerations can help you stay safe. There is no strong human evidence that typical green tea intake meaningfully changes naproxen levels or effectiveness. ^[1] That said, green tea contains caffeine and catechins (like EGCG), which can affect sleep, stomach comfort, and at high supplement doses drug handling in the body. If you are sensitive to caffeine or have a history of stomach irritation with NSAIDs, combining evening green tea with naproxen may increase discomfort such as indigestion or insomnia. ^{[2] [3]}

---

Quick takeaways

• No clear, proven interaction in humans at normal beverage amounts. Available human data on green tea–drug interactions show mostly mild effects and only with a few drugs, not naproxen. ^[1]
• Stomach considerations: Green tea can cause nausea or stomach pain in some people, and naproxen (an NSAID) can irritate the stomach; together at night, this may feel worse for sensitive users. ^{[2] [3]}
• Sleep impact: Green tea’s caffeine can disrupt sleep, which can make nighttime discomfort from NSAIDs feel more noticeable. ^{[2] [3]}
• High‑dose supplements are different: Concentrated green tea extracts (EGCG) can affect drug‑metabolizing pathways and have been linked to liver enzyme elevations and even rectal bleeding in trials this is not typical of brewed tea. ^{[4] [5]}

---

What we know about metabolism and interactions

• Green tea catechins can influence drug transporters and metabolizing enzymes in lab and animal studies (for example, CYP3A4, UGTs, and P‑gp). However, these effects have been seen in limited human cases and are generally mild at common beverage doses. ^[6]
• Reported clinical interactions with green tea in people have mostly involved specific cardiovascular drugs (e.g., nadolol, warfarin, simvastatin), not naproxen, and average effects were mild. This suggests that meaningful interactions with naproxen are unlikely at normal intake. ^[1]

---

Gastrointestinal comfort and timing tips

• Naproxen can cause stomach upset, heartburn, or ulcers, especially when taken on an empty stomach. Green tea can also cause stomach pain or nausea in some individuals due to caffeine and tannins. ^{[2] [3]}
• To reduce irritation:
  • Take naproxen with food and a full glass of water. (This is standard NSAID guidance.) ^{[7] [8]}
  • If you notice indigestion when combining them at night, consider switching to decaffeinated green tea or spacing tea and naproxen by a few hours. ^{[2] [3]}
  • Avoid green tea if you have an active stomach ulcer, as it may worsen symptoms. ^[9]

---

Sleep and nighttime use

• Green tea contains caffeine, which can cause insomnia and headaches, especially when consumed later in the day. If taken close to bedtime, the stimulant effect may reduce sleep quality and make any naproxen‑related discomfort more noticeable. ^{[2] [3]}
• Consider decaf green tea in the evening to minimize sleep disruption. Even decaf may contain small amounts of caffeine, but usually much less than regular green tea. ^[2]

---

When to be more cautious

• High‑dose green tea extracts (capsules or concentrated liquids) are not the same as a cup of brewed tea. These can elevate liver enzymes and, at higher doses, have been linked to GI issues including rectal bleeding in studies. If you use green tea supplements and take naproxen regularly, it’s prudent to discuss this with your clinician and monitor for side effects. ^{[4] [5]}
• If you have a history of GI bleeding, peptic ulcers, or take other drugs that increase bleeding risk, be extra careful with any substance that may irritate the stomach, including caffeinated beverages. While brewed green tea is not known to increase NSAID‑related bleeding on its own, minimizing GI irritants is sensible. ^{[7] [8]}
• Stop green tea supplements and seek medical advice if you develop signs of liver trouble such as abdominal pain, dark urine, or jaundice. Labels for green tea extracts advise avoiding use on an empty stomach and watching for liver symptoms. ^[10]

---

Practical recommendations

• For most people, a cup of green tea at night with occasional naproxen is unlikely to cause a harmful interaction. ^[1]
• If you notice stomach upset or sleep problems, try:
  • Taking naproxen with food and using water rather than tea at the same time. ^{[7] [8]}
  • Switching to decaf green tea in the evening. ^{[2] [3]}
  • Spacing tea and naproxen by at least a couple of hours and avoiding taking either on an empty stomach. ^[10]
• Avoid high‑dose green tea extract supplements with regular NSAID use unless approved by your clinician, and discontinue supplements if liver‑related symptoms occur. ^{[4] [10]}

---

Bottom line

Based on current evidence, drinking a normal cup of green tea at night is unlikely to interact with naproxen in a clinically significant way, but it may contribute to stomach discomfort or sleep disturbance in some people. ^{[1] [2]} If you’re sensitive, consider decaf, take naproxen with food, and avoid high‑dose green tea extracts unless your clinician advises otherwise. ^{[2] [10] [4]}