ALEVE (naproxen sodium)


Drug overview for ALEVE (naproxen sodium):

Generic name: NAPROXEN SODIUM (nah-PROX-en)
Drug class: Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory (NSAID) and Salicylates
Therapeutic class: Analgesic, Anti-inflammatory or Antipyretic

Naproxen and naproxen sodium are prototypical anti-inflammatory agents (NSAIAs) that also exhibit analgesic and antipyretic activity.

Naproxen and naproxen sodium are used to relieve mild to moderately severe pain. Conventional (immediate-release) and delayed-release (enteric-coated) tablets and suspension formulations of naproxen or naproxen sodium are used for anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects in the symptomatic treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis. Conventional (immediate-release) tablets and suspension formulations of naproxen or naproxen sodium also are used for the symptomatic treatment of tendinitis, bursitis, acute gout, pain, and primary dysmenorrhea.

Suspension formulations of naproxen are preferred for the management of juvenile arthritis since this formulation provides maximum dosage flexibility. Because of the delayed-release properties of enteric-coated naproxen tablets, this formulation is not recommended for the management of acute pain. Extended-release naproxen sodium tablets are used for the symptomatic treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, tendinitis, bursitis, acute gout, mild to moderately severe pain, and primary dysmenorrhea.

(Naproxen 250 mg is approximately equivalent to naproxen sodium 275 mg.) Naproxen sodium also may be used for self-medication for anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects to provide temporary relief of minor aches and pains, including those associated with arthritis, and of dysmenorrhea and for its antipyretic effect to reduce fever. The potential benefits and risks of naproxen therapy as well as alternative therapies should be considered prior to initiating naproxen therapy. The lowest possible effective dosage and shortest duration of therapy consistent with treatment goals of the patient should be employed.
DRUG IMAGES
  • ALEVE 220 MG GELCAP
    ALEVE 220 MG GELCAP
  • ALEVE 220 MG TABLET
    ALEVE 220 MG TABLET
  • ALEVE 220 MG CAPLET
    ALEVE 220 MG CAPLET
  • ALEVE 220 MG LIQUID GEL CAP
    ALEVE 220 MG LIQUID GEL CAP
The following indications for ALEVE (naproxen sodium) have been approved by the FDA:

Indications:
Dysmenorrhea
Fever
Headache disorder
Myalgia
Pain
Toothache


Professional Synonyms:
Aching muscles
Cephalgia
Cephalodynia
Difficult menses
Difficult menstruation
Febrile reaction
Febrile
Myalgic pain
Myodynia
Painful menses
Painful menstrual cramps
Pyrexia