Can Aleve and Goody's powder cause stomach upset?

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

Sorry to hear about your headache.

• Aleve (Naproxen) and Goody's powder (combination of Aspirin, Acetaminophen, and Caffeine) both contain NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) like Aspirin, Ibuprofen, Naproxen, Piroxicam, Diclofenac, etc.

• Although NSAIDs are very effective at treating certain kinds of inflammation (especially musculoskeletal), some of them block an enzyme pathway responsible for producing the protective mucous which lines the stomach and intestines. This leads to erosive gastritis or even stomach or duodenal ulcers (peptic ulcers) when used for too long, in an empty stomach, or in susceptible individuals.

• The caffeine content in Goody's powder is a gastric irritant on its own, making it a very dangerous combination and not a drug looked upon favorably by physicians. It sounds like your symptoms were likely caused by the side effects of the NSAIDs you took for your headache.

• I would recommend stopping all NSAIDs that you might be taking and starting a PPI (proton-pump inhibitor) like Omeprazole. It can be taken for 4 to 6 weeks, to help restore the integrity of the stomach. If your symptoms worsen not withstanding above advice, consult a trusted physician to exclude other causes.

• As a side note, the Triptans are medication specifically formulated for migraine treatment and drugs like Rizatriptan are highly effective and will not damage the gastric lining.

For more information consult an internal medicine physician online.