Does Aleve Reduce Nerve Pain? What the Science Says

October 11, 2025 •

5 min read

According to one systematic review, the prevalence of neuropathic pain in the general population is estimated to be between 7% and 10%. The common over-the-counter medication, Aleve (naproxen), is often considered for various aches, but a crucial question for many is: Does Aleve reduce nerve pain? The answer depends heavily on the root cause of the pain, as Aleve's mechanism is built to combat inflammation, which isn't always the primary driver of nerve pain.

Quick Summary

Aleve, a long-acting NSAID, is generally ineffective as a primary treatment for true neuropathic pain, which is caused by nerve damage. Its mechanism targets inflammation, and it will only help nerve pain if inflammation is the underlying cause. Effective treatments for nerve pain typically involve different classes of drugs, such as anticonvulsants and antidepressants.

Key Points

Aleve is an anti-inflammatory: Its active ingredient, naproxen, works by blocking prostaglandins, chemicals that cause inflammation and pain signals, making it effective for inflammatory pain like muscle aches and arthritis.
Limited effectiveness for nerve pain: Aleve is generally not a primary treatment for true neuropathic pain, which originates from damaged nerves rather than inflammation, although it may provide modest relief if inflammation is a contributing factor.
Better alternatives exist for nerve pain: For moderate to severe neuropathic pain, prescription medications like anticonvulsants (gabapentin) or antidepressants (duloxetine) are typically more effective and are considered first-line treatments.
Consider topical treatments for localized pain: OTC options like lidocaine patches or creams can provide targeted numbing relief for localized nerve pain.
Aleve has potential side effects: Long-term use carries risks, including gastrointestinal issues (bleeding, ulcers) and increased risk of cardiovascular events like heart attack and stroke.
Professional diagnosis is crucial: Due to the complexity of nerve pain, it is vital to consult a healthcare provider to determine the correct cause and receive an appropriate, multimodal treatment plan.

Understanding Nerve Pain vs. Inflammatory Pain

To understand why Aleve is not a first-line treatment for nerve pain, it's crucial to distinguish between different types of pain. Pain is the body's warning system, but it can originate from various sources and be signaled in different ways.

How is nerve pain different?

Nerve pain, or neuropathic pain, is caused by damage or dysfunction of the nervous system itself. This is different from the usual pain caused by tissue damage, like a sprain. Neuropathic pain signals are often abnormal, causing a range of sensations that don't correspond to external stimuli. These can include:

Burning, freezing, or sharp, shooting sensations
Tingling, numbness, or "pins and needles"
Sensitivity to touch that is normally not painful
Pain that occurs spontaneously with no apparent trigger

Common causes include diabetes (diabetic neuropathy), shingles (postherpetic neuralgia), chemotherapy, and nerve impingement from conditions like a herniated disc.

How does inflammation cause pain?

Inflammatory pain results from the body's natural healing response to injury or irritation. When tissues are damaged, the body releases chemicals called prostaglandins that cause swelling and heighten pain perception. NSAIDs like Aleve work specifically by blocking the production of these prostaglandins. This is why they are so effective for conditions like arthritis, muscle aches, or a headache, where inflammation is the primary cause of pain.

How Aleve (Naproxen) Works and its Effectiveness on Nerve Pain

Aleve's active ingredient, naproxen sodium, is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). It is not designed to address the specific mechanism of nerve pain.

Aleve's primary mechanism of action

Naproxen works by inhibiting cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes, which are responsible for producing prostaglandins. By blocking prostaglandins, Aleve reduces inflammation, swelling, and fever. This mechanism is ideal for treating pain that arises from inflammation. However, since neuropathic pain is a result of nerve damage, simply reducing inflammation often fails to address the underlying problem.

When Aleve might help nerve pain

Aleve can provide some relief for nerve-related pain if inflammation is a component of the condition. For example, a pinched nerve caused by a herniated disc or inflammation can cause both mechanical and inflammatory pain. In this case, Aleve could potentially reduce the inflammatory component, offering some modest pain relief. However, this relief is often limited and does not address the fundamental issue of the damaged nerve sending abnormal pain signals.

Why Aleve is not a first-line treatment

The consensus among pain specialists is that NSAIDs are not the most effective treatment for neuropathic pain. The pain management strategies that demonstrate the most success involve medications that specifically target the nervous system's function, not just inflammation. Therefore, while some people might perceive a benefit from Aleve, its use is more often supplementary for breakthrough pain rather than a primary solution. The benefit may even be due to placebo effects in some cases.

Comparing Aleve to Other Nerve Pain Treatments

For moderate to severe neuropathic pain, other treatments have proven more effective and are often recommended as first-line therapies. A comparison shows why Aleve is not the go-to option.


Feature	Aleve (Naproxen)	Anticonvulsants (e.g., Gabapentin)	Antidepressants (e.g., Duloxetine)	Topical Lidocaine	Capsaicin Cream
Mechanism	Blocks prostaglandins to reduce inflammation	Calms overactive nerve signals	Alters chemical messengers (neurotransmitters) in the brain	Numbes the nerve endings in a localized area	Depletes nerve cells of a chemical that sends pain signals
Primary Use	Mild to moderate inflammatory pain, such as muscle aches and arthritis	Neuropathic pain, including diabetic neuropathy and postherpetic neuralgia	Chronic nerve pain	Localized nerve pain	Localized nerve pain
Effectiveness for Nerve Pain	Limited, mainly if inflammation is a factor	Often highly effective, considered a first-line treatment	Highly effective for chronic neuropathic pain	Effective for localized pain relief	Provides temporary relief, especially in higher (prescription) concentrations

Risks and Side Effects of Aleve

Like all medications, Aleve carries potential risks and side effects, especially with long-term use. The non-selective inhibition of COX-1 and COX-2 enzymes can cause adverse effects in various body systems.

Gastrointestinal Issues: Aleve can cause stomach pain, heartburn, nausea, and an increased risk of serious gastrointestinal bleeding or ulcers, particularly with prolonged use.
Cardiovascular Risks: Use of NSAIDs, including naproxen, can increase the risk of heart attack and stroke, especially in individuals with pre-existing heart conditions.
Kidney Problems: Long-term use or high doses can affect kidney function.
Central Nervous System Effects: Dizziness, headache, and drowsiness are common side effects. Rarely, symptoms like "pins and needles" (paresthesia) have been reported.

Important Considerations and When to See a Doctor

Because neuropathic pain is complex and rarely responds fully to NSAIDs alone, seeking a professional medical evaluation is crucial. Effective pain management often involves a multimodal approach tailored to the specific cause and severity of the condition. A doctor can help determine the origin of the pain and recommend the most appropriate combination of treatments.

If you experience:

Progressive weakness, numbness, or severe pain
Burning, shooting, or tingling sensations that do not improve with anti-inflammatory drugs
Any of the serious side effects associated with Aleve

It is time to consult a healthcare provider. While Aleve may be a temporary solution for minor aches, it is not a substitute for proper diagnosis and treatment of nerve pain.

Conclusion

In summary, while Aleve can effectively reduce pain caused by inflammation, it is not a primary treatment for true neuropathic pain. Its mechanism targets the inflammatory response, which is often not the main cause of the burning, shooting, or tingling sensations of nerve damage. For nerve pain, more targeted medications, such as anticonvulsants and antidepressants, have a higher rate of success. If you are experiencing persistent nerve pain, it is essential to consult a healthcare professional for a correct diagnosis and a more effective treatment plan. Relying solely on Aleve for neuropathic pain may delay treatment and fail to provide adequate relief.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting or changing any medication regimen.

For more information on managing conditions like pinched nerves, see the Mayo Clinic's guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

Neither Aleve (naproxen) nor Advil (ibuprofen) are considered primary treatments for nerve pain, as both are NSAIDs that target inflammation. Aleve lasts longer (up to 12 hours), while Advil acts more quickly but for a shorter duration (4-6 hours). For true neuropathic pain, other medications are more effective.

The fastest relief for severe nerve pain is often through a combination of treatments, including first-line prescription medications like gabapentin or duloxetine, potentially combined with topical numbing agents like lidocaine patches for localized pain. A doctor can help determine the best approach for rapid relief.

For a pinched nerve, which can involve inflammation and swelling, Aleve can help reduce this inflammatory component and may offer some pain relief. However, it may not address the full scope of pain signals coming from the compressed nerve. Physical therapy or other medications might also be needed.

Over-the-counter NSAIDs like Aleve or ibuprofen are not the most effective options for true nerve pain. A better OTC choice might be a topical lidocaine patch, which can numb the affected area for localized relief. For best results, consult a healthcare provider for a stronger prescription.

Sciatica is nerve pain caused by compression or irritation of the sciatic nerve, often from inflammation. Aleve may help reduce the inflammatory pain component but is unlikely to fully resolve the issue. Other treatments, such as physical therapy or targeted prescription medications, are often more effective for managing sciatica.

Side effects of Aleve can include stomach pain, nausea, dizziness, and bruising. Long-term use also increases the risk of serious side effects like gastrointestinal bleeding, heart attack, and stroke. Paresthesia (pins and needles) is a rare reported side effect.

While Aleve is not expected to make nerve pain worse, it is generally ineffective for many types of neuropathic pain and may delay more appropriate treatment. In rare cases, some nervous system side effects like paresthesia have been reported.