Does naproxen contain soy or soybean oil, and is it safe to take if I’m allergic to soy?

Naproxen and soy: what you need to know
Most over‑the‑counter naproxen sodium tablets (such as Aleve and many store brands) list inactive ingredients like cellulose, hypromellose, magnesium stearate, polyethylene glycol, povidone, talc, titanium dioxide, and colorants, and do not list soy, soybean oil, or soy lecithin. ^{[1] [2] [3] [4]} This means they are generally free of soy‑derived excipients based on their official labels. ^{[1] [2] [3] [4]}

What the labels show

• Aleve caplets and arthritis caplets: inactive ingredients include hypromellose, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, polyethylene glycol, povidone/talc, titanium dioxide, and FD&C blue #2; no soy or soybean oil is listed. ^{[1] [2] [5]}
• Aleve gelcaps: coating components include gelatin, glycerin, hypromellose, polyethylene glycol, and colorants; no soy ingredients are listed. ^{[6] [7]}
• Common store‑brand naproxen sodium 220 mg tablets: excipients such as croscarmellose sodium, microcrystalline cellulose, hypromellose, magnesium stearate, polyethylene glycol/povidone, and titanium dioxide are listed; no soy is listed. ^{[3] [8]}

Safety if you have a soy allergy

• Based on these labels, standard OTC naproxen sodium tablets typically do not contain soy, soybean oil, or soy lecithin, so they may be acceptable for people with soy allergy. ^{[1] [2] [3] [4]}
• However, formulations can vary by brand, dosage form, and country, and manufacturers can change excipients over time, so it’s wise to check the specific product’s package “inactive ingredients” list each time. ^{[5] [9]}
• Naproxen itself can rarely cause allergic reactions unrelated to soy (as an NSAID, it carries an allergy alert), especially in people with aspirin sensitivity. ^{[10] [11]} If you’ve had reactions to NSAIDs, you should discuss this with your clinician before use. ^{[10] [11]}

Special cases and exceptions

• Combination products (e.g., naproxen with pseudoephedrine for cold/sinus) list excipients like hypromellose, silicon dioxide, croscarmellose sodium, lactose, polyethylene glycol, povidone, and colorants; soy is not listed in these examples, but you should still verify the exact label you have. ^{[12] [13]}
• Topical pain products (not naproxen tablets) sometimes contain soy lecithin; this is relevant only if you’re looking at gels/creams, not standard naproxen tablets. ^[14]

Practical tips

• Read the “Inactive ingredients” on the carton or bottle and look specifically for “soy,” “soybean oil,” or “lecithin (soy).” ^{[5] [2]}
• If ingredients are unclear, contact the manufacturer’s consumer line printed on the label to confirm current excipients. ^{[1] [2]}
• If your soy allergy is severe (anaphylaxis), consider discussing any new medication with your allergist and carry your epinephrine auto‑injector as advised. NSAID allergies can occur independently of food allergies, so monitor for hives, swelling, wheezing, or rash after dosing. ^{[11] [10]}

Bottom line

• Most OTC naproxen sodium tablets do not contain soy or soybean oil according to their official ingredient lists. ^{[1] [2] [3] [4]}
• They can be safe for many people with soy allergy, provided you verify the exact product’s inactive ingredients and remain alert for any signs of an NSAID reaction. ^{[5] [11]}