Drug interactions
Naproxen + Willow bark
Severity: Moderate
Naproxen and Willow bark: moderate interaction.
Last updated
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Summary
Willow bark contains salicin, which is converted to salicylic acid, so it adds salicylate exposure to naproxen therapy. This can increase the risk of gastrointestinal irritation, bleeding and renal effects, as with combining two NSAIDs.
What this interaction means in plain words
Naproxen and Willow bark can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken.
Why it happens
Additive COX inhibition and platelet effects from salicylates and naproxen, plus possible competition for renal tubular anionic secretion.
What to do
Avoid using willow bark together with naproxen, as it offers no benefit over a single NSAID. Counsel patients to report GI bleeding symptoms.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Should I take them at different times of day?
- Does the dose of either medicine need to change?
- Is there anything I should avoid, such as alcohol or certain foods, while on both?
Pro+ members
Unlock the full page
Create an account and start a Pro+ trial to unlock the full management advice for Naproxen and Willow bark, the additional notes, the evidence detail and the whole-prescription interaction checker.
- Full clinical management advice
- Additional notes
- Evidence detail
- Interaction checker for a whole prescription
Try Pro+ free for 14 days on the web. No card needed.
Other interactions of Naproxen
- Ketorolac intranasal + Naproxen Contraindicated
- Ketorolac + Naproxen Contraindicated
- Aceclofenac + Naproxen Major
- Acemetacin + Naproxen Major
- Acetylsalicylic acid + Naproxen Major
- Alteplase + Naproxen Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Naproxen with Willow bark?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Naproxen and Willow bark can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken. Willow bark contains salicin, which is converted to salicylic acid, so it adds salicylate exposure to naproxen therapy. This can increase the risk of gastrointestinal irritation, bleeding and renal effects, as with combining two NSAIDs.
How serious is the interaction between Naproxen and Willow bark?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Avoid using willow bark together with naproxen, as it offers no benefit over a single NSAID. Counsel patients to report GI bleeding symptoms.
What other medicines interact with Naproxen?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Naproxen with, for example, Ketorolac intranasal, Ketorolac, Aceclofenac. The full list is on the Naproxen page.
Full monographs, dosing and an interaction checker in the MediHelp app
Open the complete reference, check multi-drug interactions and use dosing tools in the MediHelp app.
