Both Aleve and Ibuprofen are categorized as over-the-counter (OTC) medication that helps in relieving the pain of any kind for the short term like back pain, fever, headache, inflammation, and many more types of pain ranging from mild to severe.
They are known to fall under the category of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
Aleve vs Ibuprofen
The difference between Aleve and Ibuprofen is the frequency of in-taking and dosage difference. As the half-life of Aleve is higher than the Ibuprofen, it is dosed in every 8 to 12 hours of the previous intake whereas if taking the Ibuprofen then it requires to be taken in every 4 to 6 hours of the previous intake.
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Aleve is one type of pain-relieving drug that is manufactured by Bayer and is available for over-the-counter buying options as well as based on a prescription from the doctor.
It has longer-acting effects as it suppresses the pain for longer hours and thus it is taken in the time gap of 8 to 12 hours. It can be taken twice a day.
Ibuprofen is a short-term pain-relieving drug that is taken to relieve pain ranging from mild fever headache to severe pain like migraine, arthritis, and many more.
This medication is most suitable for instantly treating the pain and for small children also. Ibuprofen is less likely to cause gastrointestinal (GI) side effects.
Comparison Table
| Parameters of Comparison | Aleve | Ibuprofen |
|---|---|---|
| Generic name | Naproxen. | Itself is the generic name for Advil and Motrin. |
| Forms | Present in the form of oral capsule and tablet. | Present as a solution, capsule, suspension, chewable tablet. |
| Half-life | 18 hours | 4 hours |
| Approval date (first) | 11th January of 1994 | 19th September of 1974 |
| Manufacturer | Bayer. | Manufactured by many. |
What is Aleve?
Aleve, also known by the generic name Naproxen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug that is used in relieving the pain of all kinds like headache, osteoarthritis, migraine, fever pain, any other inflammatory pain, and many more.
This medication is easily available over the counter and comes in only two basic forms that are oral capsule and tablet.
It is available in the quantities of 200 mg tablets and in 220 mg oral capsule that is filled with liquid. The recommended dosage to take is 1 to 2 tablets in the time gap of every 8 to 12 hours after the previous intake.
People with a peptic ulcer history are strictly advised to not take this medication as it comes under the category of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
The reason for the strict deny is due to the high risk of stomach ulcers in such patients. It is also not recommended for people going through any kidney or liver-related problems or ailments.
However, the doctor’s advice is mainly focused to be the most authentic source in any such situation to take this medication.
Apart from these, Aleve is manufactured by a single manufacturer body and it was legally approved on 11th January back in the year 1994.
It is suited for treating the chronic condition of severe pains as its effect stays for a longer period.
What is Ibuprofen?
Ibuprofen is the generic name for the brands Advil and Motrin which is another nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug that helps in reducing and suppressing the pain or aches in the body caused due to any of the reasons be it osteoarthritis, migraine, fever pain, any other inflammatory pain.
It was legally approved on 19th September back in the year 1974.
Ibuprofen can be bought over the counter or on the strength of prescription also.
It is available in many different forms such as solution, capsule, suspension, and normal tablets generally in the concentration of 200 mg.
It is also available for children in chewable tablets and oral liquid forms.
The recommended dosage to take is in the period of every 4 to 6 hours after the previous intake as its half-life is up to that hour only.
This medication is also recommended to not be taken by people having any prior peptic ulcer history due to the high risk of having the ulcers again.
People having any history of liver or kidney ailments are advised to not use these medications for relieving pain as they might have severe side effects on the body.
This drug is not manufactured by any single manufacturing body but by several generic brands. It is suited for treating acute condition pains as its effect stays for a shorter period.
Main Differences Between Aleve and Ibuprofen
- The generic name for Aleve is Naproxen and on the other hand, Ibuprofen itself is a generic name for Advil and Motrin.
- Aleve is present in two forms only which are the oral capsule and the tablets whereas the Ibuprofen one is present in several forms like a solution, capsule, suspension, and oral tablets both chewable and normal ones.
- The half-life of any drug defines the time period in which the drug reduces its plasma concentration to half of the initially original value. The half-life of Aleve is up to 18 hours whereas the half-life for Ibuprofen is up to 4 hours only.
- Aleve was firstly approved on the date 11th January of the year 1994 and on the other hand, Ibuprofen was firstly approved on the date 19th September of the year 1974.
- Aleve is manufactured by a single manufacturer named Bayer whereas Ibuprofen does not have a single manufacturer, it is manufactured by many generic ones.
- https://meridian.allenpress.com/angle-orthodontist/article/75/5/791/132101/Effects-of-Preoperative-Ibuprofen-and-Naproxen
- https://obgyn.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1471-0528.1984.tb15089.x
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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.
