aspirin vs naproxen

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Side-by-side comparison of aspirin and naproxen. Data from FDA drug databases (Orange Book, NDC Directory, recalls, shortages) covering 20,000+ approved drugs, plus CMS pricing; see our methodology.

minor Known Drug Interaction

Intervention: Monitor patients with concomitant use of naproxen tablets or naproxen sodium tablets with anticoagulants (e.g., warfarin), antiplatelet agents (e.g., aspirin), selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), and serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) for signs of bleeding [ see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.12 ) ]. Aspirin Clinical Impact: A pharmacodynamic (PD) study has demonstrated an interaction in which lower dose naproxen (220mg/day or 220mg twice daily) interfered with the antiplatelet effect of low-dose immediate-release aspirin, with the interaction...

Drug Class
aspirin Antiplatelet / NSAID
naproxen Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug (NSAID)
Type
aspirin Over-the-Counter
naproxen Over-the-Counter
Summary
aspirin

Aspirin is a common medicine used to relieve minor pain. It can also be prescribed by your doctor for other uses.

naproxen

Naproxen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). It helps reduce pain, swelling, and stiffness.

What It Treats
aspirin

Aspirin is used to temporarily relieve minor aches and pains. However, it works slowly. It will not quickly relieve headaches or other symptoms that need immediate relief. Ask your doctor about other uses for this medicine.

naproxen

Naproxen is used to relieve pain and inflammation. You can use it for arthritis, including rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. It also treats ankylosing spondylitis and juvenile idiopathic arthritis. Naproxen can help with tendonitis, bursitis, gout, menstrual cramps, and general pain.

How It Works
aspirin

Aspirin belongs to a class of drugs called NSAIDs and antiplatelets. It works by reducing substances in the body that cause pain and inflammation. It also helps to prevent blood clots.

naproxen

Naproxen works by reducing substances in the body that cause pain and inflammation. It blocks the production of prostaglandins. These substances contribute to the symptoms of pain, swelling, and fever.

Common Side Effects
aspirin
  • Upset stomach
  • Heartburn
naproxen
  • Heartburn
  • Abdominal pain
  • Nausea
  • Constipation
  • Diarrhea
FAERS Reports
aspirin
  • Fatigue 31,963
  • Dyspnoea 27,179
  • Nausea 26,579
  • Diarrhoea 26,452
  • Dizziness 22,390
naproxen
  • Pain 8,756
  • Fatigue 7,339
  • Arthralgia 7,243
  • Nausea 7,062
  • Headache 5,716
Serious Warnings
aspirin

No specific warnings noted.

naproxen

Naproxen may increase your risk of serious heart problems like heart attack or stroke, which can be fatal. This risk may happen early in treatment and increases with longer use. You should not take naproxen if you are having heart bypass surgery. Naproxen can also increase your risk of serious stomach and intestine problems, including bleeding, ulcers, and holes, which can be fatal. These problems can occur without warning. Elderly people are at higher risk.

Pregnancy
aspirin

Ask your doctor for advice if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

naproxen

Using naproxen after 20 weeks of pregnancy can cause kidney problems in the unborn baby, leading to low amniotic fluid. Avoid using naproxen at 30 weeks of pregnancy or later because it can cause the baby's heart to close too early. Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

Also Compare, Nearby Drugs

How to Read This aspirin vs naproxen Comparison

aspirin is classified in the Antiplatelet / NSAID drug class, while naproxen sits within the Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug (NSAID) class. Drugs from different classes work through distinct mechanisms, so a head-to-head comparison illustrates trade-offs rather than equivalence. Both drugs are available over the counter.

Adverse event totals above are pulled from the FDA's Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). For these top-ranked reactions alone, aspirin has 134,563 submissions while naproxen has 36,116. Those figures reflect cumulative reporting volume, not per-patient risk, so older, widely dispensed drugs typically look worse on count alone. These two drugs have a known minor interaction flagged in FDA labeling, attributed to naproxen can stop aspirin from working correctly to protect your heart and also increases the chance of stomach bleeding. taking them together makes it harder for your blood to clot when it needs to.. Serious warnings, pregnancy guidance, and contraindications can differ even when indications overlap.

A table cannot represent individual circumstances. Data here is sourced from FDA Structured Product Labels (SPL) and FAERS, both of which update as manufacturers and clinicians submit new information. This registry does not provide medical, treatment, substitution, or medication-change directions for aspirin or naproxen.

Registry boundary: This comparison displays source-record fields and does not provide individualized medical direction.