What the FDA labels say about taking them together
Ibuprofen/phenylephrine and naproxen
Ibuprofen/phenylephrine's FDA label of July 22, 2025 names naproxen in its warnings section; naproxen's label does not name ibuprofen/phenylephrine itself but warns about its class (NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)). The ibuprofen/phenylephrine label: “… drugs containing prescription or nonprescription NSAIDs [aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, or others] have 3 or more alcoholic drinks every day while using this product take more or for a longer time than directed Heart …”
Check it at the source: the ibuprofen/phenylephrine FDA label on DailyMed (effective July 22, 2025, Haleon US Holdings LLC); the naproxen FDA label on DailyMed (effective March 12, 2026, Bayer HealthCare LLC.).
What does the ibuprofen/phenylephrine label say about naproxen?
Ibuprofen/phenylephrine label, warningsThe chance is higher if you: are age 60 or older have had stomach ulcers or bleeding problems take a blood thinning (anticoagulant) or steroid drug take other drugs containing prescription or nonprescription NSAIDs [aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, or others] have 3 or more alcoholic drinks every day while using this product take more or for a longer time than directed Heart attack and stroke warning:
Source: FDA drug label (ADVIL SINUS CONGESTION AND PAIN), Haleon US Holdings LLC, effective July 22, 2025 (SPL set b1e29c19-fe03-4d2b-b966-0adf4eb4b4cf), via openFDA; the full label on DailyMed
What does the naproxen label say about ibuprofen/phenylephrine?
Naproxen's label does not name ibuprofen/phenylephrine itself; it warns about its class (NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)):
Naproxen label, boxed warningGastrointestinal Bleeding, Ulceration, and Perforation NSAIDs cause an increased risk of serious gastrointestinal (GI) adverse events including bleeding, ulceration, and perforation of the stomach or intestines, which can be fatal.
Naproxen label, boxed warningThis risk may occur early in treatment and may increase with duration of use ( 5.1 ) NAPRELAN® is contraindicated in the setting of coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery ( 4 , 5.1 ) NSAIDs cause an increased risk of serious gastrointestinal (GI) adverse events including bleeding, ulceration, and perforation of the stomach or intestines, which can be fatal.
Source: FDA drug label (Aleve Caplets), Bayer HealthCare LLC., effective March 12, 2026 (SPL set 02941928-128a-2c88-e063-6294a90ac6ba), via openFDA; the full label on DailyMed
These are the labels' own sentences. PlainMeds does not grade interactions; a pharmacist or prescriber can say what they mean for one person's medicines.
Both medicines on the record
| Ibuprofen/phenylephrine | Naproxen | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Cough and cold | Fever, Rheumatoid arthritis, Osteoarthritis, Gout, Pain, Cough and cold |
| Boxed warning | No | Yes |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC) | n/a | $0.0565 per tablet 500 mg tablet |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
Source: FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026 and the FDA Drug Shortage Database (FDA files October 8, 2026)
What next?
- Check more medicines together
- up to five at once