IBUPROFEN vs NAPROXEN
Independent side-by-side comparison.
Neither is universally "better" — ibuprofen and naproxen (Aleve) are both NSAIDs that treat the same kinds of pain, fever, and inflammation. The practical difference is how long each dose lasts, not how well it works.
The key difference
They are closely related drugs in the same class (NSAIDs) with essentially the same uses (headaches, muscle aches, arthritis, menstrual pain, colds, toothaches, backaches) and the same major warnings (stomach/gut ulcers or bleeding, and heart attack/stroke risk with high doses or long-term use). The real difference is duration: per MedlinePlus, OTC naproxen is taken every 8 to 12 hours, while OTC ibuprofen is taken every 4 to 6 hours — so one naproxen dose lasts longer and is taken less often. Per NHS, naproxen is noted as a good choice for some pain types such as period pain or back pain, and you typically start to feel relief about an hour after a dose.
Choose ibuprofen if
Either is fine for short-term aches, fever, headache, or toothache. Ibuprofen's shorter 4-to-6-hour window can suit pain that comes and goes or when you prefer a dose that wears off sooner; it is also the more familiar option for children's OTC formulations (follow the label and ask a pharmacist or doctor).
Choose naproxen (Aleve) if
Naproxen (Aleve) is the more convenient pick when you want longer coverage from a single dose — it is taken only every 8 to 12 hours, so it can carry you through a workday or night with fewer doses. NHS specifically notes it suits some pain types such as period pain or back pain.
Which is better for…
| Situation | Better choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Fever | Either — both work | Both are antipyretic NSAIDs; ibuprofen acts faster, naproxen lasts longer, and acetaminophen is an equally valid non-NSAID option. |
| Headache | Either — both work | Both relieve tension headaches; ibuprofen's faster onset (4-6 hr dosing) suits a one-off headache, naproxen (8-12 hr) if you want fewer redoses. |
| Toothache / dental pain | Aleve (naproxen) | In postsurgical dental-pain trials naproxen's analgesia was greater than ibuprofen at later time points, covering the ache longer per dose. |
| Menstrual cramps | Either — both work | Both cut prostaglandin-driven uterine cramping; naproxen's 8-12 hr duration means fewer doses to cover an all-day period, ibuprofen works faster. |
| Muscle / back pain or sprains | Aleve (naproxen) | Anti-inflammatory relief that lasts up to ~12 hr per dose suits ongoing strain pain; choose ibuprofen when you want quicker onset. |
| Sore throat | Either — both work | Both reduce throat inflammation and pain; ibuprofen's quick onset fits short-term relief, naproxen if you prefer twice-daily dosing. |
| Arthritis | Aleve (naproxen) | Longer-acting (8-12 hr, fewer daily doses) and slightly more effective at reducing night pain — practical for all-day joint pain. For regular long-term use, check with a doctor — NSAIDs can raise blood pressure and cardiovascular risk. |
| Stomach-sensitive / ulcer history | Acetaminophen (Tylenol) — safer | Both NSAIDs can cause GI bleeding, ulcers, and perforation; acetaminophen is far gentler on the stomach (of the two NSAIDs, ibuprofen carries slightly lower GI risk than naproxen). (Keep total acetaminophen under 4,000 mg/day; excess harms the liver.) |
| Pregnancy | Acetaminophen (Tylenol) — safer | NSAIDs are generally avoided in pregnancy — especially after 20 weeks, when they can harm the baby's kidneys and heart; acetaminophen is the usual first choice (confirm with your OB). (Keep total acetaminophen under 4,000 mg/day; excess harms the liver.) |
General guidance for choosing between two over-the-counter options, not a personal recommendation — follow each product’s Drug Facts label and ask a pharmacist if you have a health condition or take other medicines.
Bottom line
These are not meaningfully "better or worse" than each other — they are the same class of drug with the same uses and the same risks. Pick by dosing convenience: naproxen lasts longer (every 8-12 hours), ibuprofen is shorter-acting (every 4-6 hours). Do not take them together, use the lowest effective dose for the shortest time, and ask a pharmacist or doctor if you have heart, kidney, or stomach conditions or take blood thinners.
This is not a summary of either drug’s FDA label, and it is not complete. Both labels carry warnings, contraindications and interactions that are not on this page. Read the label for the drug you are actually taking — we link both above — and take the decision to your prescriber.
Possible drug interaction. IBUPROFEN and NAPROXEN are different prescription medicines. Combining or switching between them can cause interactions — talk to a pharmacist or prescriber before making changes. This page is not medical advice.
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Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper, Ibuprofen or Naproxen?
Ibuprofen costs pharmacies less to acquire — about $0.04 vs $0.06 per ml, per the CMS NADAC survey. That gap is in the pharmacy's cost of goods, not necessarily in what you pay: your price is set afterwards by your insurer and the pharmacy.
What is the difference between Ibuprofen and Naproxen?
Ibuprofen contains Ibuprofen, while Naproxen contains Naproxen — they have different active ingredients.
Is ibuprofen or naproxen stronger?
Neither is reliably 'stronger' — at OTC doses head-to-head studies find them comparably effective, with naproxen slightly better in some trials (including for nighttime pain). The real difference is duration: naproxen relieves pain for up to ~12 hours per dose versus ibuprofen's ~6-8 hours. So naproxen isn't more potent, it just lasts longer per pill.
What is the difference between ibuprofen and naproxen?
Both are NSAIDs that block prostaglandins to ease pain, inflammation, and fever, so their effects overlap heavily. The main practical difference is timing: ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) has a shorter half-life and is dosed every 4-6 hours, while naproxen (Aleve) lasts longer and is dosed every 8-12 hours. Ibuprofen may carry slightly lower GI risk; the two are otherwise similar on kidney and heart precautions.
Can you take ibuprofen and naproxen together?
No — you should not combine two NSAIDs. Guidance is explicit: don't mix one NSAID with another, because stacking them multiplies the risk of stomach bleeding, ulcers, and kidney harm without adding meaningful pain relief. If one NSAID isn't enough, a common safe alternative is pairing a single NSAID with acetaminophen (a non-NSAID) — check with a pharmacist or doctor first.
Which is better for inflammation, ibuprofen or naproxen?
Both are anti-inflammatory NSAIDs, so for reducing inflammation the choice comes down to dosing convenience rather than a big potency gap. Naproxen's longer action (up to ~12 hours) makes it handy for ongoing inflammatory pain like arthritis with fewer daily doses, and it was slightly more effective at reducing night pain in some studies. Ibuprofen works just as well acutely and takes effect faster, but needs redosing every 4-6 hours.
Ratings are based on FDA regulatory (recall-safety) data. This comparison is for general reference only — not medical advice. Always consult a licensed professional before choosing or switching a medication.