Difference Between Ibuprofen and Naproxen
Ibuprofen vs Naproxen
Ibuprofen is a particular drug that falls within the category of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAIDs. Ibuprofen tends to work by creating a reduction in the secretion of hormones that initiate inflammation and associated pain in the body. It is used to treat fever, pain and inflammation caused by various kinds of headache, back pain, toothache, arthritis and menstrual cramps. On the other hand, Naproxen is also a NSAID drug but treats different conditions. Naproxen is applied to treat inflammation and pain resulting from spondylitis, ankylosing, gout, bursitis, tendonitis, etc.
Here’s a list of some of the adverse effects that may surface due to the consumption of Ibuprofen.
- Minor adverse gastrointestinal effects
- Dyspepsia
- Nausea
- Ulceration and Bleeding
- Rise in liver enzymes
- Headache
- Diarrhea
- Salt and Fluid Retention
- Hypertension
Other than these primary effects, Ibuprofen also causes photosensitization as it is an active agent. It may also hype the risk of myocardial infarction and some inflammatory bowel diseases as well. On the other hand, Naproxen has the tendency of inhibiting a heightened excretion of lithium and sodium. Hence patients who take this drug are suggested to be careful when taking it with supplements for lithium. Patients suffering from hypertension are not supposed to take this medicine. Pregnant women should not take this medicine during the first trimester as it may cause congenital birth defects and even heart abnormalities from time to time. Aged patients taking Naproxen may even suffer a cardiac arrest or stroke.
Ibuprofen is a lot similar to aspirin and works in an analogous way. It reduces prostaglandins production in the body through slight chemical reactions. But these are different from the effects of Naproxen which initiates a lower level of irritation in the inner lining of the esophagus and the stomach. Hence it is suitable for use by ulcer patients. Whereas on the other hand, Naproxen is completely prohibited for ulcer patients as it can cause internal bleeding.
But the pain relieving effects of Naproxen tend to last longer than that of Ibuprofen. The effects of Naproxen last for 8 to 12 hours while that of Ibuprofen lasts for just 4 to 8 hours.
Summary:
1. Ibuprofen is applied in the treatment of toothache, arthritis, back pain, headache and menstrual cramps while Naproxen is applied for treating spondylitis, ankylosing, gout, bursitis, etc.
2. Common side effects of Ibuprofen are nausea, dyspepsia, diarrhea and myocardial infarction. On the other hand Naproxen causes lithium excretion, heart abnormalities and congenital birth defects.
3. The effects of Ibuprofen last for 4 to 8 hours while that of Naproxen last for 8 to 12 hours.
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Which is better …… 2 naproxen of 220 each or half an Ibuprofen of 800?
Im no doctor. But ive heard half pills are no good. Medicine is not evenly split in pills. So id say 2 naproxens.
I’m a nurse and I’ve learned that if a pill is ‘scored’….has a line thru the middle, it can be split in half and be assured that each half has half the dose. If the pill is not scored, it may not be the case.
Naproxen which initiates a lower level of irritation in the inner lining of the esophagus and the stomach. Hence it is suitable for use by ulcer patients. Whereas on the other hand, Naproxen is completely prohibited for ulcer patients as it can cause internal bleeding.
Per the above paragraph, shouldn’t it say “Ibuprofen” is completely prohibited…?
Ditto! That’s one heck of a typo, it calls into question the validity of the entire article. :/
You have to take it in context, it is talking about ibuprofen then on a side note says oh well naproxen does this instead. It then goes on to basically say and this is why ibuprofen can be used for ulcer patients.
So are you saying that the article is saying that:
1. Ibuprofen mechanism is that ” It reduces prostaglandins production in the body through slight chemical reactions.”
while on the other hand:
2. Naproxin mechanism is that it “initiates a lower level of irritation in the inner lining of the esophagus and the stomach.”
So naproxin works by irritating the stomach?? I don’t believe this is the case. I think whoever wrote the article did not proofread it before posting it.