Green Tea and Naproxen: What You Need to Know

In typical amounts (a few cups of brewed green tea per day), green tea is generally considered safe to consume while taking naproxen, and a direct, proven interaction that increases naproxen’s side effects has not been documented in standard drug-information sources. ^[1] However, there are important caveats: naproxen itself can irritate the stomach and increase the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding, and green tea (especially concentrated extracts) can sometimes upset the stomach or affect drug-handling enzymes and transporters, so combining them may warrant simple precautions. ^{[2] [3]}

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Quick Summary

• Moderate brewed green tea with naproxen is usually acceptable. There is no established, clinically significant interaction specifically between naproxen and green tea at typical beverage levels. ^[1]
• Watch your stomach. Naproxen can cause ulcers and serious GI bleeding; any drink or supplement that irritates the stomach (including green tea or caffeine) could add discomfort or, in sensitive individuals, contribute to risk. ^{[2] [4]}
• Avoid green tea extracts on an empty stomach. High-dose green tea extract can cause nausea, abdominal pain, and liver enzyme elevations; it should be taken with food if used at all. ^{[5] [6]}
• Be cautious with other medicines. Green tea can interact with certain drugs via enzymes/transporters (for example, CYP3A4, UGT, OATP), but these effects are mostly noted with specific medications and with concentrated extracts rather than ordinary tea. ^{[7] [8]}

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Does Green Tea Directly Interact with Naproxen?

Current consumer and professional drug references for naproxen list many important interactions (blood thinners, other NSAIDs, steroids, SSRIs/SNRIs, etc.) but do not identify green tea as a known interaction of clinical significance. ^{[1] [9]} Naproxen is highly protein‑bound and primarily excreted in urine after simple metabolism; interactions that meaningfully change its levels are uncommon and often not clinically significant. ^[10] Based on available evidence, a direct pharmacokinetic interaction between brewed green tea and naproxen is not established at typical intake levels. ^{[1] [10]}

That said, green tea catechins can modulate drug‑metabolizing enzymes and transporters in vitro and in animals, and concentrated supplements have shown effects with specific drugs (e.g., CYP3A4 inhibition, OATP1A2 inhibition). ^[7] These effects have only rarely translated into clinically relevant interactions in humans at common beverage doses, but larger “bolus” doses from supplements could have more pronounced effects. ^[8]

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Stomach and Bleeding Risk

• Naproxen’s GI risk: All NSAIDs, including naproxen, increase the risk of serious gastrointestinal events like bleeding, ulceration, and perforation, which can occur without warning and can be fatal; older adults have higher risk. ^[2]
• Green tea’s GI effect: Green tea and its extracts can cause nausea and stomach pain, especially in higher doses or when taken on an empty stomach. ^{[3] [5]}
• Practical implication: While brewed green tea doesn’t directly raise naproxen’s bleeding risk, if green tea irritates your stomach, it may compound naproxen’s GI side effects (such as indigestion or gastritis). Taking naproxen with food, limiting caffeine, and avoiding green tea extracts on an empty stomach can help. ^{[4] [5]}

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Liver Considerations with Extracts

Green tea extract products have been linked to elevated liver enzymes and rare liver injury, particularly at high doses; guidance advises not using extracts if you have liver problems and to stop if symptoms of liver trouble appear. ^{[5] [6]} Naproxen itself is not commonly associated with severe liver injury, but combining any hepatotoxic stressors is best avoided, especially if you already have liver disease. ^{[10] [5]}

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Interactions with Blood Thinners Are Different

If you take anticoagulants like warfarin, green tea can lower INR due to its vitamin K content when consumed in large quantities (e.g., 0.5–1 gallon/day), potentially reducing warfarin’s effect. ^[11] This is a separate issue from naproxen, but it matters because naproxen already increases bleeding risk; if someone is on both naproxen and warfarin, overall bleeding considerations become more complex and should be managed by a clinician. ^{[2] [11]}

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Practical Tips to Use Them Together Safely

• Prefer brewed tea over extracts. Brewed green tea in moderate amounts is less likely to cause problems than concentrated supplements, which can affect enzymes/transporters and upset the stomach. ^{[8] [5]}
• Take naproxen with food. This can reduce stomach irritation; follow label warnings for signs of stomach bleeding (feeling faint, vomiting blood, black stools) and stop use if they occur. ^[4]
• Avoid high caffeine intake. Excess caffeine from tea can trigger headaches or GI discomfort; this can be additive with naproxen‑related stomach upset. ^{[5] [4]}
• Skip green tea extracts on an empty stomach. If you choose to use an extract, take it with food and avoid use if you have liver disease; stop and seek care for symptoms like abdominal pain, dark urine, or jaundice. ^[5]
• Review all medications. If you take drugs known to be sensitive to CYP3A4, UGT, or certain transporters, be cautious with green tea extracts, which can alter drug levels; discuss with a pharmacist or clinician. ^{[7] [8]}

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When to Seek Medical Advice

• You have a history of ulcers, GI bleeding, or are over 60. Naproxen’s GI warnings are stronger in these situations; minimizing irritants, including caffeinated beverages, may be prudent. ^{[2] [12]}
• You use other medicines that raise bleeding risk (anticoagulants, steroids, other NSAIDs, SSRIs/SNRIs). Align dosing and monitoring with your clinician, and keep green tea intake consistent. ^{[1] [9]}
• You plan to take green tea extract supplements. Because supplements deliver higher catechin doses and have been linked to liver and drug‑handling effects, get personalized advice before starting. ^{[5] [8]}

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Bottom Line

For most people, drinking moderate amounts of brewed green tea while taking naproxen appears acceptable, with no well‑documented direct interaction that increases naproxen’s side effects. ^[1] Still, be mindful of naproxen’s GI bleeding risk and green tea’s potential to irritate the stomach, especially with high intake or extracts; take naproxen with food, avoid green tea extracts on an empty stomach, and watch for any symptoms of stomach bleeding. ^{[2] [5]} If you use multiple medicines or have GI or liver conditions, a quick check with your clinician or pharmacist is a wise step. ^[1]