Taking any medicine without a prescription is not a good option, as specific needs must be met while prescribing medicine to a patient. So, it is not advised. However, significant differences between Aleve and Advil are mentioned below.
Key Takeaways
- Aleve (naproxen) and Advil (ibuprofen) are both nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) used to relieve pain and reduce inflammation.
- Aleve provides longer-lasting relief, requiring fewer daily doses, while Advil requires more frequent dosing.
- Advil works faster in alleviating pain, making it suitable for immediate relief, whereas Aleve is better for managing chronic conditions.
Aleve vs Advil
Aleve is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that works by reducing inflammation in the body, providing longer-lasting pain relief. Advil is an NSAID that works by reducing inflammation in the body, and is commonly used to relieve mild to moderate pain, fever, and inflammation.
Moreover, the maximum daily dose for Aleve is 880 mg. An Aleve can be taken up to 2 times in any eight to 12-hour period. However, it may cause a type of sensitivity to light.
Advil has ibuprofen as an active ingredient. And the quantity of ibuprofen in Advil is 200 mg. Although, Advil works more quickly than Advil. It works up to four to eight hours.
Comparison Table
| Parameters of comparison | Aleve | Advil |
|---|---|---|
| Active ingredient | Aleve has naproxen sodium as an active ingredient. | Meanwhile, Advil has ibuprofen as an active ingredient. |
| Quantity | Aleve contains 220 mg of naproxen sodium. | Advil contains 200 mg of ibuprofen. |
| Working | Aleve doesn’t work quickly. | Advil works very quickly. |
| Duration | Aleve works up to eight to 12 hours. | Advil only works for four to eight hours. |
| Max daily dose | The maximum daily dose for Aleve is 880 mg, | The maximum daily dose for Advil is 1200 mg. |
What is Aleve?
Aleve is composed of naproxen sodium, the active ingredient of the drug, and It is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug. And the quantity of naproxen sodium in Aleve is 220 mg.
Aleve doesn’t work as quickly as Advil, but it lasts longer than Advil. It works up to eight to 12 hours. As for dosage, the maximum daily dose for Aleve is 880 mg.
And as for the side effects, one may experience sensitivity to light. It also can lead to stomach ulcers, increased bleeding risks, and other problems. Additionally, it has a lower risk of heart attack and stroke.
Aleve is prescribed to give relief from minor aches and pain. It may be caused due to these reasons, such as headaches, toothache, backache, menstrual cramps, sprains, common cold, muscle aches, and minor arthritis pain.
Aleve blocks COX-1 and COX-2 enzymes that cause the inflammation process in the body. However, the main target is COX-2, not COX-2, but it inhibits COX-1 also.
What is Advil?
Advil is composed of ibuprofen, which is the active ingredient of the drug and is also a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug. And the quantity of ibuprofen in Advil is 200 mg.
Advil works more quickly than Aleve, but it doesn’t last longer than Aleve. It works up to four to eight hours. As for dosage, the maximum daily dose for Advil is 1200 mg. And if one tablet is not effective, one can take two tablets together.
Advil is also prescribed to give relief from minor aches and pain. The reasons behind the cause of aches and pain are the same as well, such as headaches, toothaches, menstrual cramps, backaches, sprains, and muscle aches.
Advil also blocks COX-1 and COX-2 enzymes that cause the inflammation process in the body. However, the main target is COX-2, not COX-2, but it inhibits COX-1 also.
Main Differences Between Aleve and Advil
Aleve and Advil come under the same class of drugs, yet they are very different, ranging from composition to working. However, it is not advised to take these medications without a prescription.
- Aleve works up to eight to 12 hours. In contrast, Advil only works for four to eight hours.
- The maximum daily dose for Aleve is 880 mg, while the maximum daily dose for Advil is 1200 mg.
- https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1191/1352458504ms1114oa
- https://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/bk-2018-1305.ch005
Last Updated : 11 June, 2023
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Piyush Yadav has spent the past 25 years working as a physicist in the local community. He is a physicist passionate about making science more accessible to our readers. He holds a BSc in Natural Sciences and Post Graduate Diploma in Environmental Science. You can read more about him on his bio page.
Very informative! It is very dangerous to take over the counter medicine without consulting a professional first.
This article is a great reminder of the importance of being informed about the medications we take.
Knowing the risks and benefits of different drugs can help people make better decisions for their health.
Every person should be aware of what they are taking, specially when it comes to drugs with potential side effects.
NSAIDS are not a joke, they can lead to serious side effects. It is important to take them with caution.
That’s why it is important to know the differences between them so you can use the most appropriate one for your needs.
Rational use of these medicines is important to avoid severe problems in our health.
It’s always interesting to learn about the different medications that are available in the market.
It’s surprising how these drugs can have so many differences between them.
It’s very interesting how these medications work, and the way they can interact in our body.
Different conditions require different medications, that’s why one should know these differences.
Taking any drug without prescription is a sign of ignorance. It’s important to be informed first.
It’s imperative to underline that NSAIDS carry some risks and should not be taken blindly.
The risks of NSAIDS are not well known, this article provides important information that everyone should consider.