Based on NIH | Can I take naproxen with honey, or does honey interact with naproxen and raise the risk of stomach irritation or bleeding?

You can generally take naproxen with honey, and there is no established direct interaction between the two that would raise the risk of stomach irritation or bleeding. Honey is widely considered safe in adults, and major medical references report no confirmed drug interactions for honey. ^[1] Honey does not have documented interactions that would specifically worsen naproxen’s stomach side effects, and there is no clinical evidence showing that honey increases gastrointestinal bleeding when taken with naproxen. ^[1]

What to know about naproxen and GI risk

• Naproxen is a nonsteroidal anti‑inflammatory drug (NSAID) that can cause serious stomach and intestinal side effects, including ulcers and bleeding, sometimes without warning. ^[2] The risk can be higher in people over 60, those with a history of ulcers or GI bleeding, those taking anticoagulants or steroids, those using multiple NSAIDs, those who drink three or more alcoholic drinks daily while using naproxen, or those who take higher doses or use it longer than directed. ^[3] Even short‑term NSAID use is not risk‑free in vulnerable individuals, and a prior history of peptic ulcer or GI bleeding increases the risk more than tenfold. ^[4]

• Taking naproxen with food can help reduce upset stomach, although it does not fully eliminate the risk of ulcers or bleeding. This is a general practical tip; the official warnings emphasize that the underlying risk remains due to the drug’s effect on the stomach lining and platelets. ^[2]

What we know about honey

• For typical dietary use, honey is considered generally safe for adults and children over 1 year of age. ^[1] Authoritative consumer health sources note there is currently no evidence showing how honey interacts with other drugs. ^[5] In other words, no confirmed, clinically significant drug interactions have been established for honey to date. ^[5]

• Some laboratory (in‑vitro) research suggests honey can slow platelet clumping and prolong certain clotting times at relatively high concentrations in test tubes, but these are not real‑world dose conditions and do not prove a bleeding risk when honey is eaten in normal amounts. ^[6] Observations from test‑tube studies do not automatically translate into meaningful effects in people taking typical dietary amounts of honey. ^[6]

Putting it together

• Based on current evidence, eating honey with naproxen does not appear to add to naproxen’s known stomach risks. ^{[5] [1]} The main driver of GI irritation and bleeding remains naproxen itself and known risk factors listed in official naproxen warnings. ^{[2] [3]}

• If you like honey in tea or on food when you take naproxen, that’s reasonable, and it may make the dose easier on your stomach simply by having food present though it does not “neutralize” naproxen’s ulcer risk. ^[2]

Practical tips for safer naproxen use

• Use the lowest effective dose for the shortest necessary time to help limit GI risks. ^[2]
• Avoid combining naproxen with other NSAIDs (such as ibuprofen or aspirin used for pain) unless your clinician has advised it. ^[3]
• Limit alcohol while taking naproxen, as alcohol raises the risk of stomach bleeding. ^[3]
• If you have a history of ulcers, GI bleeding, are over 60, or use anticoagulants or steroids, discuss protective strategies with your clinician such as whether a stomach‑protecting medicine (e.g., a proton‑pump inhibitor) is appropriate. ^[4]
• Seek urgent care if you notice warning signs such as black, tarry stools, vomiting blood, abdominal pain that does not go away, dizziness, or fainting. ^[2]

Bottom line

• There is no confirmed harmful interaction between honey and naproxen, and normal dietary honey does not appear to increase naproxen‑related stomach irritation or bleeding. ^{[5] [1]} The primary concern for GI side effects comes from naproxen itself and known risk factors, so focus on dose, duration, and your personal risk profile. ^{[2] [3]}