Child Accidentally Took Adult Aleve 220 mg: Symptoms of Overdose and Kidney Impact

If your child accidentally took adult Aleve, try to stay calm, but take the situation seriously. Aleve contains naproxen, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). One adult Aleve tablet contains 220 mg of naproxen sodium.

A single 220 mg tablet does not usually cause serious poisoning in an otherwise healthy older child, but the risk depends on the child’s age, weight, medical history, the amount taken, and whether other medicines were also used. Infants, toddlers, and children with kidney disease, dehydration, stomach ulcers, or other health problems need more careful assessment.

What to do right now

• Take the medicine away and check how many tablets may be missing.
• Note the tablet strength, which is usually 220 mg naproxen sodium for over-the-counter Aleve.
• Record when the child may have taken it.
• Check whether the child took any other medicines, especially ibuprofen, Advil, Motrin, aspirin, other naproxen, or cold medicines containing an NSAID.
• Call Poison Control for individualized advice, even if the child seems well. In the United States, call 1-800-222-1222. The service is free and confidential. If you are elsewhere, contact your country’s poison center.
• If the child has severe symptoms, trouble breathing, a seizure, collapses, or cannot be awakened, call emergency services immediately.

Do not make the child vomit. Do not give activated charcoal unless a poison specialist or emergency clinician specifically instructs you to do so. Avoid giving more pain relievers until you have spoken with a healthcare professional.

You may also consider a free, online symptom check, using the doctor approved Ubie Symptom Checker. It should not replace Poison Control or urgent medical care, especially after a possible medicine overdose.

Possible symptoms after taking naproxen

Some children have no symptoms after taking one tablet. If symptoms occur, they may begin within several hours, although serious complications can sometimes develop later.

Possible early symptoms include:

• Nausea or vomiting
• Stomach pain, indigestion, or heartburn
• Sleepiness, dizziness, or headache
• Irritability or unusual behavior
• Ringing in the ears
• Diarrhea

Larger amounts can cause more significant effects, such as severe drowsiness, confusion, unsteady walking, agitation, blurred vision, or difficulty breathing. Serious NSAID poisoning can affect the stomach, brain, blood pressure, and kidneys.

Seek emergency medical help now if the child has:

• Trouble breathing, blue lips, or swelling of the face or throat
• A seizure, collapse, extreme weakness, or difficulty waking
• Confusion, severe agitation, or unusual behavior
• Repeated vomiting or severe abdominal pain
• Vomit that looks bloody or like coffee grounds
• Black, tarry stools or visible blood in the stool
• Very little urine or no urine
• Severe dizziness, fainting, or signs of shock

If any of these symptoms are present, speak to a doctor or emergency clinician immediately. Do not wait for symptoms to become worse.

How naproxen can affect the kidneys

Naproxen and other NSAIDs reduce the production of substances called prostaglandins. These substances help maintain blood flow to the kidneys. In some situations, blocking them can reduce kidney blood flow and cause acute kidney injury.

The kidney risk is higher when a child:

• Is dehydrated from vomiting, diarrhea, fever, or not drinking
• Already has kidney disease
• Has heart disease or significant liver disease
• Takes medicines that affect the kidneys, such as certain blood-pressure medicines or diuretics
• Takes repeated doses or a large amount
• Has taken more than one NSAID
• Is very young or medically fragile

A single 220 mg tablet is less likely to cause kidney injury in a healthy child than repeated doses or a large overdose. However, the risk cannot be judged by the tablet strength alone. The child’s weight and hydration are important. This is why Poison Control or a clinician may ask for the child’s age, weight, symptoms, medical conditions, and the exact amount taken.

Possible signs of kidney trouble include urinating less often than usual, producing very little urine, dark urine, swelling around the eyes or ankles, unusual tiredness, nausea, or worsening weakness. These symptoms can have other causes, but they require prompt medical advice after a possible naproxen overdose.

Kidney problems may not cause obvious symptoms at first. If a healthcare professional is concerned, they may check blood pressure, urine output, kidney blood tests, and electrolytes. Most children who receive appropriate advice after a small accidental ingestion recover fully.

Does one adult Aleve tablet equal an overdose?

Not necessarily. “Overdose” means taking more than the recommended amount, but the medical significance varies widely. A 220 mg tablet is an adult over-the-counter strength, not automatically a dangerous dose for every child. A larger child may have a lower risk from one tablet than a small toddler, but there is no reliable way to confirm safety based only on age.

The product label is intended for adults and children 12 years and older. Children younger than 12 should not be given naproxen unless a healthcare professional recommends it. Do not use adult dosing instructions to decide whether a younger child is safe.

Poison specialists commonly assess the amount in relation to body weight and may recommend observation at home, a call to the child’s doctor, or an emergency evaluation. Follow their instructions carefully and keep the medicine package available.

What to watch for at home

If Poison Control or a doctor says home observation is appropriate:

• Keep the child with a responsible adult.
• Offer normal fluids if the child is awake and able to drink, unless a clinician has given different instructions.
• Watch for vomiting, stomach pain, sleepiness, behavior changes, and urination.
• Do not give ibuprofen, aspirin, naproxen, or another NSAID unless a doctor tells you to.
• Do not give extra medicine to “counteract” the Aleve.
• Keep the packaging in case the healthcare team needs the exact product information.

Do not force fluids if the child is vomiting, very sleepy, choking, or having trouble swallowing. Contact a doctor if symptoms appear, worsen, or do not fit the advice you were given.

When to contact a doctor

Speak to a doctor about any potentially serious or life-threatening symptom, any ingestion involving an infant, an unknown amount, repeated tablets, or a child with kidney disease or dehydration. Medical advice is also important if the child took other medicines at the same time.

When calling, be ready to provide:

• The child’s age and weight
• The product name and strength
• The estimated number of tablets
• The possible time of ingestion
• Current symptoms
• Existing medical conditions
• All other medicines or substances the child may have taken

Accidental medicine ingestions are common, and getting prompt advice is the safest approach. Put medicines out of reach after the situation is resolved, preferably in a locked cabinet, and avoid describing medicine as candy.