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Ibuprofen and naproxen are both nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). You may know them by their most popular brand names: Advil (ibuprofen) and Aleve (naproxen). These drugs are alike in many ways, so you may even wonder if it really matters which one you choose. Take a look at this comparison to get a better idea of which one might be better for you. Both drugs work by temporarily preventing your body from releasing a substance called prostaglandin. Prostaglandins contribute to inflammation, which may cause pain and fever. By blocking prostaglandins, ibuprofen and naproxen treat minor aches and pains from:
They also temporarily reduce fever. Although ibuprofen and naproxen are very similar, they aren’t exactly the same. For example, pain relief from ibuprofen doesn’t last as long as pain relief from naproxen. That means you don’t have to take naproxen as often as you would ibuprofen. This difference may make naproxen a better option for treating pain from chronic conditions. On the other hand, ibuprofen can be used in young children, but naproxen is only for use in children 12 years and older. Certain forms of ibuprofen are made to be easier for younger children to take. The following table illustrates these as well as other features of these two drugs. Since ibuprofen and naproxen are both NSAIDs, they have the same side effects. However, the risk of heart and blood pressure-related side effects is greater with ibuprofen. The table below lists examples of the side effects of these drugs. Do not take more than the recommended dosage of each drug and do not take either drug for longer than 10 days. If you do, you increase your risk of heart and blood pressure-related side effects. Smoking cigarettes or having more than three alcoholic drinks per day also increases your risk of side effects. If you experience any side effects of ibuprofen or naproxen or believe you may have taken too much, contact your doctor right away. An interaction is an undesired, sometimes harmful effect from taking two or more drugs together. Naproxen and ibuprofen each have interactions to consider, and naproxen interacts with more drugs than ibuprofen does. Both ibuprofen and naproxen can interact with the following drugs:
Additionally, naproxen can also interact with the following drugs:
Certain conditions can also affect how ibuprofen and naproxen work in your body. Don’t use either of these drugs without your doctor’s approval if you have or have had any of the following conditions:
Ibuprofen and naproxen are quite similar, but some differences between them may make one a better option for you. Some main differences include:
There are steps you can take to lower your risk of serious side effects, however, such as using the lowest possible dose for the shortest time. As always, contact your doctor if you have any questions about using either of these drugs. Questions you may consider include:
Naproxen (brand name Aleve) and ibuprofen (brand name Advil) are two common over-the-counter pain relievers. People often reach for one of these when they have common aches and pains such as headaches, muscle pain, menstrual cramps, and arthritis. Perhaps you’re wondering which medication is best for your particular pain, or you’re concerned about negative effects. Here is what you should know about Aleve vs. Advil and which pain reliever you should choose. Are Aleve and Ibuprofen the Same Thing?Naproxen (Aleve) and ibuprofen (Advil) are both non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and they work in the same way – by blocking COX-2 enzymes and COX-1 enzymes. However, they have different onset times and durations. Naproxen (Aleve) is a long-acting drug, meaning it takes longer to start relieving your pain, but it lasts longer too. Ibuprofen (Advil) is short-acting, so it starts working more quickly but needs to be taken more frequently. Which Is More Effective at Relieving Pain?Since naproxen and ibuprofen work in the same way, they are generally equally effective for relieving pain. However, the type of pain you’re experiencing may help you decide which to take. On average, Aleve lasts eight to twelve hours, while Advil lasts just four to six hours. That means that if you have chronic, long-lasting pain, Aleve is probably a more effective option for you. Advil is better for short-term pain, and it’s also considered safer for children. Prescription Strength vs. Over the CounterYou may have heard about prescription-strength versions of Aleve and Advil. Doctors may prescribe you a higher dose of either of these medications if you have severe pain. There are also a variety of other NSAIDs that are only available by prescription, such as meloxicam, diclofenac, and indomethacin. Are your prescriptions cheaper at another pharmacy? What Are the Potential Side Effects of Aleve and Advil?While COX-2 enzymes are related to pain and inflammation in the body, COX-1 is involved with the lining of your stomach. This means both Aleve and Advil can cause gastrointestinal issues such as ulcers and gastrointestinal bleeding. Aleve poses a slightly greater risk of gastrointestinal issues, so if you are concerned about this side effect, you may want to choose Advil, or a different type of pain reliever such as acetaminophen (Tylenol). Additionally, these medications can increase the risk of cardiovascular events like heart attack and stroke. If you have a history of cardiovascular issues, talk to your doctor before using an NSAID. Some other potential side effects include:
Do NSAIDs Interact with Anything?You should watch out for interactions with any drugs you’re taking. There are some substances that interact with NSAIDs. These include blood thinners such as warfarin or aspirin, as well as substances such as tobacco and alcohol. Be sure to tell your doctor and pharmacist about all the drugs you’re taking, including over-the-counter pain relievers like Aleve and Advil. Can You Take Naproxen and Ibuprofen Together?NSAIDs also interact with each other. If you are taking Aleve (naproxen), do not take Advil (ibuprofen) at the same time, and vice versa. How Many Advil or Aleve Should I Take?The usual dosage for Advil is one tablet every four to six hours. You can increase the dosage to two tablets if one is not effective, but make sure you don’t exceed six tablets in 24 hours. If you’re taking Aleve, the dosage is one tablet every eight to twelve hours. You can take a second Aleve in the first hour if the first pill doesn’t work, but do not exceed three in 24 hours. Note that you should not take Aleve for longer than ten days if you’re treating pain, and no longer than three days for a fever. Always take the lowest effective dose, and do not exceed the maximum dosage. Serious adverse health effects could result. Which Is Better – Aleve or Ibuprofen?If you’re still wondering whether to take Aleve or ibuprofen, remember that Aleve is a long-acting drug, while ibuprofen is short-acting. Aleve will last longer and is more effective for chronic pain, but it also poses a greater risk for gastrointestinal issues. Ibuprofen needs to be taken more frequently but it is generally safer, especially for children. If you’ve been prescribed either of these medications, save with our drug price lookup tool. Find the lowest price on pain relievers, or search for discounts on any prescriptions you take.  Save on the GoFor your convenience, use the ScriptSave® WellRx mobile app. Now savings are well in hand, right at the pharmacy counter. Save on your family's prescription medicines. Learn More
Get a Prescription Discount CardYour choice. Get a ScriptSave WellRx Savings Card. Or Download the free mobile app from the App Store or Google Plage Store Get A Card Grocery GuidanceScriptSave WellRx Grocery Guidance brings together leading-edge nutritional data science with AI powered personalization to help you know which food products on your grocery store shelf are truly good for YOU. Healthy Foods For You Which is better for nerve pain ibuprofen or naproxen?Ibuprofen and naproxen are so similar that overall, there's not one that is better than the other for adults. Adults and adolescents ages 12 and older might consider ibuprofen or naproxen for different types of pain and inflammation, including: Fever. Muscle or joint pain.
Does naproxen help nerve pain?Naproxen is not effective for treating some types of pain, such as nerve pain. If your pain is related to your nerves, you will have to get a different prescription from your doctor.
Is naproxen good for nerve inflammation?Naproxen helps relieve pain and inflammation and works by blocking the effects of cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes. This prevents prostaglandin synthesis (prostaglandins elevate body temperature and make nerve endings more sensitive to pain transmission).
Does ibuprofen reduce nerve inflammation?Relieving nerve pain. You may also require medicine to treat any nerve pain (neuropathic pain) you're experiencing. Unlike most other types of pain, neuropathic pain does not usually get better with common painkillers, such as paracetamol and ibuprofen, and other medicines are often used.
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Ibuprofen or naproxen for nerve pain
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