Based on NIH | Is it safe to take naproxen with green tea in the morning, or does green tea interact to increase stomach irritation or alter naproxen’s effectiveness?

It is generally reasonable to drink green tea and take naproxen on the same morning if you have a healthy stomach and you use standard doses, but a few cautions can help you reduce risk. Naproxen commonly irritates the stomach, so taking it with food or milk can lessen upset, and this advice applies regardless of tea intake. ^[1] Green tea itself does not appear to directly increase naproxen’s effect or toxicity at typical beverage amounts, but high‑dose green tea extracts (supplements) can interact with certain drug‑metabolizing enzymes and transporters; such interactions have been documented for other medicines, not specifically for naproxen. ^{[2] [3]}

What we know about naproxen and the stomach

• Naproxen (a non‑steroidal anti‑inflammatory drug, NSAID) is well absorbed and effective for pain and inflammation, but its most common side effects involve the gastrointestinal tract. ^[4]
• Consumer medication guides advise taking naproxen with food or milk if stomach upset occurs, and to watch for warning signs of stomach bleeding such as black stools, persistent stomach pain, or vomiting blood. ^[5]
• This “take with food or milk” guidance is consistent across multiple over‑the‑counter naproxen labels. ^{[6] [1] [7]}

Green tea: beverage versus supplements

• Ordinary brewed green tea contains catechins and caffeine; at typical drinking levels, clinically meaningful drug interactions are uncommon, though they exist for specific drugs. ^[3]
• Green tea extracts at higher doses can inhibit certain metabolic enzymes (like CYP3A4) and drug transporters (such as OATP1A2 and P‑glycoprotein), which has altered the bioavailability of some medicines in studies, but this has not been shown specifically for naproxen. ^{[2] [8]}
• Green tea products can also modulate UGT (glucuronidation) enzymes in vitro, and have increased toxicity of some drugs in animals, underscoring that concentrated supplements behave differently than a cup of tea. ^[2]

Does green tea worsen naproxen‑related stomach irritation?

• There is no direct evidence that a typical cup or two of green tea meaningfully increases naproxen‑induced stomach irritation. ^[3]
• Naproxen itself is the main driver of GI risk; taking it with food is an accepted strategy to reduce upset, and you can include a light breakfast even if you also drink tea. ^[1]
• If your stomach is sensitive, choosing food first and sipping tea afterward, avoiding empty‑stomach dosing, and limiting very strong or highly caffeinated tea may help minimize discomfort. ^[5]

Could green tea alter naproxen’s effectiveness?

• Naproxen is highly protein‑bound and largely excreted unchanged or as simple metabolites; its pharmacokinetics are relatively stable, and clinically significant interactions with many drugs are limited. ^[4]
• While green tea catechins can affect drug metabolism and transport for some drugs, there is no established interaction showing altered naproxen absorption or effectiveness with normal tea consumption. ^[3]
• High‑dose green tea supplements could, in theory, influence enzymes or transporters, but this remains unproven for naproxen and would be more relevant if you use concentrated extract products rather than brewed tea. ^{[2] [3]}

Practical tips for morning use

• Consider taking naproxen with a small meal (e.g., toast, yogurt) and then having your green tea, which aligns with labeling aimed at reducing stomach upset. ^[1]
• Avoid taking naproxen on an empty stomach, particularly if you have a history of ulcers, gastritis, or GI bleeding; seek medical advice if you notice warning signs like black stools or persistent stomach pain. ^[9]
• Prefer brewed tea over high‑dose green tea supplements when using NSAIDs, unless your clinician has cleared the supplement for you. ^[10]
• If you need daily naproxen for several days and you also drink large volumes of tea, monitor for new stomach symptoms and scale back tea strength or caffeine if you feel jittery or queasy. ^[10]

When to be extra careful

• History of ulcers or GI bleeding, use of blood thinners, older age, or combining multiple NSAIDs increases GI risk; in these cases, discuss protective strategies (like proton‑pump inhibitors) and beverage habits with your clinician. ^[9]
• If you take other medications known to interact with green tea (e.g., certain calcium channel blockers or chemotherapy agents), keep green tea intake moderate and avoid supplements unless reviewed with a clinician. ^[8]

Bottom line

• For most people, a normal cup of green tea with a morning dose of naproxen is unlikely to change naproxen’s effectiveness or significantly increase stomach irritation, provided the naproxen is taken with food and you avoid high‑dose green tea supplements. ^{[1] [3]}
• The main safeguard is to take naproxen with food or milk and monitor for GI warning signs, adjusting tea strength or timing if you notice discomfort. ^{[5] [1]}