Two medicines, side by side
Acetaminophen vs naproxen
Acetaminophen and naproxen are both labeled for pain, cough and cold and fever. Drugs@FDA records approvals of acetaminophen since 1968 and of naproxen since 1976. Pharmacies paid $0.0339 per unit (Acetaminophen 500 mg caplet) and $0.0565 per naproxen 500 mg tablet (NADAC, October 7, 2026).
Check it at the source: the acetaminophen FDA label on DailyMed (effective November 13, 2024); the naproxen FDA label on DailyMed (effective March 12, 2026).
Highlights of the acetaminophen record
Acetaminophen (Tylenol) · label of November 13, 2024
Used for
From the label: indicationstemporarily relieves minor aches and pains due to: minor pain of arthritis muscular aches backache premenstrual and menstrual cramps the common cold headache toothache temporarily reduces fever
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- November 7, 1968
- Generic labelers
- 89 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.0339 per unit
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 19
Highlights of the naproxen record
Naproxen (Aleve) · label of March 12, 2026
Used for
From the label: indicationstemporarily relieves minor aches and pains due to: minor pain of arthritis muscular aches backache menstrual cramps headache toothache the common cold temporarily reduces fever
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- March 11, 1976
- Generic labelers
- 139 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.0565 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 8
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Acetaminophen label of November 13, 2024, Naproxen label of March 12, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do acetaminophen and naproxen differ on the record?
Both labels carry a boxed warning; the records quote them.
Generics: acetaminophen since 1986; naproxen since 1992 (Drugs@FDA).
| Acetaminophen | Naproxen | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Fever, Cough and cold, Pain | Fever, Rheumatoid arthritis, Osteoarthritis, Gout, Pain, Cough and cold |
| Pharmacologic class | n/a | Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drug |
| How it works (label) | n/a | n/a |
| Half-life (label) | n/a | n/a |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | November 7, 1968 | March 11, 1976 |
| First generic approved | December 1, 1986 | October 30, 1992 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 89 labelers | 139 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.0339 per unit (Acetaminophen 500 mg caplet) | $0.0565 per tablet (Naproxen 500 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | +5% | -9% |
| Boxed warning | Yes | Yes |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 19 | 8 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 445,075 | 142,225 |
| DEA schedule | none | none |
Source: Drugs@FDA, FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026, FDA shortages and recalls, FAERS via openFDA (FDA files October 8, 2026)
What do the labels say about using others of their kind?
Naproxen label, drug interactions (prescription label)Concomitant use of naproxen with other NSAIDs or salicylates (e.g., diflunisal, salsalate) increases the risk of GI toxicity, with little or no increase in efficacy [ see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 ) ].
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA
What next?
- Alternatives to acetaminophen
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions