# "Do not lie down for 30min after taking this drug"  Wha...?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-not-lie-down-for-30min-after-taking-this-drug-wha/196208>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [August 19, 2003, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-not-lie-down-for-30min-after-taking-this-drug-wha/196208 "2003-08-19T14:26:16Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 6\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Ruffian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/71e660/32.png) [@Ruffian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruffian)\
**Post date:** [August 19, 2003, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-not-lie-down-for-30min-after-taking-this-drug-wha/196208/1 "2003-08-19T14:26:16Z")

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I was prescribed naproxen yesterday for a strained back. While doing a casual read-through of the info sheet that came with the stuff, I was stumped by this phrase: “Do not lie down for at least 30 minutes after taking this drug.”

Not what could possibly be going on in your body thanks to this stuff that makes lying down bad?

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**Author:** ![KidCharlemagne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ed8c4c/32.png) [@KidCharlemagne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KidCharlemagne)\
**Post date:** [August 19, 2003, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-not-lie-down-for-30min-after-taking-this-drug-wha/196208/2 "2003-08-19T14:31:54Z")

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They often say that with NSAIDS because they can irritate your throat and stomach. I guess your trying to let gravity get it through asap.

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**Author:** ![Podkayne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/edb3f5/32.png) [@Podkayne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Podkayne)\
**Post date:** [August 19, 2003, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-not-lie-down-for-30min-after-taking-this-drug-wha/196208/3 "2003-08-19T15:53:21Z")

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If you have heartburn, it’s supposed to be bad to lie down, which makes sense. Maybe the warning is to protect your esophagus from reflux.

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**Author:** ![scout1222](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/34f0e0/32.png) [@scout1222](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scout1222)\
**Post date:** [August 19, 2003, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-not-lie-down-for-30min-after-taking-this-drug-wha/196208/4 "2003-08-19T15:57:35Z")

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I have a friend who is on a medication for osteoporosis (the name unfortunately escapes me) and she has to sit upright after taking it as well.

I’d never heard about this with NSAIDS! Not that I take them often, but if it is for stomach irritation, I’m surprised that’s not more common knowledge.

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**Author:** ![rowrrbazzle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rowrrbazzle/32/414_2.png) [@rowrrbazzle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rowrrbazzle)\
**Post date:** [August 19, 2003, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-not-lie-down-for-30min-after-taking-this-drug-wha/196208/5 "2003-08-19T16:26:01Z")

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Maybe you’re getting a higher dose with the prescription. That might increase the risk of stomach upset. The info sheet of my generic naproxen tablets (220 mg) doesn’t mention this. It does say to take the pill(s) with a full glass of water, but I almost never do.

I get backaches about twice a year, and I use naproxen for days until the pain goes away. No sign of any stomach problems.

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**Author:** ![Gravity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gravity/32/14322_2.png) [@Gravity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gravity)\
**Post date:** [August 19, 2003, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-not-lie-down-for-30min-after-taking-this-drug-wha/196208/6 "2003-08-19T19:04:52Z")

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My iron pills say that - but I think it’s for 2 hours.