Naproxen for Sore Throat
Yes, naproxen can be used to treat sore throat pain, as NSAIDs including naproxen are effective for reducing acute sore throat symptoms in adults. 1
Evidence for NSAID Efficacy
NSAIDs are more effective than placebo for reducing acute sore throat symptoms in adults, with systematic review evidence demonstrating clear benefit. 1 Specifically:
- Ibuprofen and diclofenac show slightly superior pain relief compared to paracetamol (acetaminophen) 1
- Naproxen has demonstrated efficacy comparable to other NSAIDs in treating acute inflammation of the throat, with rapid onset of action and improvement of symptoms including pain, exudation, and swelling 2
- NSAIDs provide significant benefits in reducing both fever and pain in patients with pharyngitis 3
Comparative Effectiveness
While the guidelines specifically mention ibuprofen and diclofenac as having slightly better efficacy than paracetamol 1, naproxen belongs to the same NSAID class and has been studied directly:
- In head-to-head comparison, naproxen 500mg twice daily was effective for nonbacterial acute throat inflammation, though nimesulide showed slightly faster action in one study 2
- Ibuprofen demonstrates the best documented benefit-risk profile among systemic analgesics for sore throat 4
- Ibuprofen 400mg was more effective than acetaminophen 1000mg on all pain measurements after 2 hours, including swollen throat sensation and difficulty swallowing 5
Practical Dosing Approach
For naproxen specifically:
- Standard dosing is 500mg twice daily for acute throat inflammation 2
- Treatment duration typically ranges from 7-9 days as needed for symptom control 2
- NSAIDs should be used with attention to standard contraindications (GI bleeding risk, renal impairment, cardiovascular disease) 1
Safety Considerations
Paracetamol and ibuprofen were identified as the safest options in large trials 1, and ibuprofen was as well tolerated as paracetamol for short-term treatment when used according to usual contraindications 1. While naproxen is effective, it may carry slightly higher GI side effect risk compared to ibuprofen—one study noted episodic gastralgia in naproxen-treated patients 2.
Role in Overall Management
NSAIDs serve as adjunctive symptomatic therapy and should not replace appropriate antibiotic treatment when bacterial pharyngitis is confirmed 3, 6. The primary focus should be:
- Testing for Group A Streptococcus before initiating antibiotics 7, 6
- Using NSAIDs for pain relief regardless of viral or bacterial etiology 3, 7
- Avoiding antibiotics for negative strep tests, as viral causes are most common 7
Clinical Pitfall
Do not assume that symptom severity indicates bacterial infection requiring antibiotics—severity does not correlate with bacterial etiology 7. NSAIDs effectively manage pain from both viral and bacterial sore throats while appropriate testing determines antibiotic necessity.