Based on NIH | Can eating honey while taking naproxen increase your risk of side effects?

Short answer

Based on available official and clinical information, honey does not have a known direct drug–drug interaction with naproxen. ^[1] However, naproxen itself can raise the risk of stomach irritation and bleeding, and very high concentrations of honey have shown in laboratory (in‑vitro) tests a tendency to slow blood clotting and reduce platelet activity, which theoretically could add to bleeding risk, although this has not been demonstrated in real‑world use at typical dietary amounts. ^{[2] [3]}

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What we know about naproxen and interactions

• Naproxen (an NSAID) can irritate the stomach and increase bleeding risk. This risk is higher in people over 60, those with a history of ulcers or bleeding, those who drink three or more alcoholic drinks daily, and those taking blood thinners, steroids, or other NSAIDs. ^{[2] [4] [5] [6] [7]}

• Naproxen’s interaction warnings focus on other medications and certain health conditions. Guidance emphasizes avoiding combinations with other NSAIDs (like aspirin and ibuprofen) and telling your clinician about all prescription drugs, over‑the‑counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products you use. ^{[8] [9]}

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What we know about honey

• There is no established evidence that honey interacts with medicines, including naproxen. Authoritative consumer guidance notes that there is currently no evidence showing how honey interacts with other drugs. ^[1]

• Laboratory data suggest honey can affect clotting at high concentrations. In test‑tube studies, honey moderately inhibited platelet aggregation and prolonged clotting times (aPTT, PT, TT), and reduced fibrinogen, but these effects occurred at concentrations far higher than typical dietary intake (for example, ≥3.75–15% solutions). This indicates a theoretical effect on hemostasis, not a proven clinical interaction at normal eating amounts. ^[3]

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Practical implications for eating honey with naproxen

• Typical dietary amounts of honey are unlikely to meaningfully increase naproxen side effects. There is no documented clinical interaction, and household use of honey (e.g., a teaspoon in tea) is far below the concentrations used in laboratory experiments that affected clotting. ^{[1] [3]}

• Be cautious if you have bleeding risks. If you already have a higher risk of gastrointestinal bleeding (older age, past ulcers, concurrent blood thinners or steroids, heavy alcohol use), naproxen alone can raise bleeding risk, so adding any factor that may influence clotting even theoretically deserves extra prudence. ^{[2] [4] [5] [6] [7]}

• Mind general NSAID safety tips. Take naproxen exactly as directed, avoid combining it with other NSAIDs unless your clinician advises it, and report any signs of stomach bleeding such as black stools, vomiting blood, dizziness, or severe stomach pain. ^{[8] [2]}

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How to use honey safely while on naproxen

• Keep portions modest. Using small amounts of honey for flavor (for example, 1–2 teaspoons) is reasonable and has not been shown to interact with naproxen. ^[1]

• Avoid excessive intake if you have clotting concerns. If you have a bleeding disorder, are on anticoagulants, or have a history of ulcers, consider limiting honey to typical dietary amounts and avoid self‑experimenting with large quantities. ^{[2] [3]}

• Watch for symptoms. New or worsening stomach pain, indigestion, black stools, or unusual bruising or bleeding should prompt you to stop naproxen and seek medical advice promptly. ^[2]

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Bottom line

• No proven clinical interaction exists between honey and naproxen, and ordinary dietary honey is unlikely to increase naproxen side effects. ^[1]
• Naproxen itself carries bleeding and stomach‑irritation risks, so if you have risk factors for bleeding, be cautious and monitor for symptoms regardless of honey intake. ^{[2] [4] [5] [6] [7]}
• The clotting effects seen with honey are laboratory findings at high concentrations and do not establish a harmful interaction at typical food amounts. ^[3]

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Quick reference table

Topic	Key point	Evidence
Honey–naproxen interaction	No established interaction	[1]
Naproxen bleeding risk	Increased GI bleeding risk; higher with age, ulcer history, blood thinners, steroids, alcohol, or multiple NSAIDs	[2] [4] [5] [6] [7]
Honey and clotting (lab)	Honey can inhibit platelets and prolong clotting times at high concentrations (in‑vitro)	[3]
Practical use	Small dietary amounts of honey are unlikely to affect naproxen side effects	[1] [3]

Would you like help reviewing your personal bleeding risk factors or your current medication list to see if anything raises your naproxen risk?