Two medicines, side by side
Aspirin vs naproxen
Aspirin and naproxen are both labeled for pain, cough and cold and fever. Drugs@FDA records approvals of aspirin since 1965 and of naproxen since 1976. Pharmacies paid $0.0142 per aspirin ec 81 mg tablet and $0.0565 per naproxen 500 mg tablet (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like. Only the naproxen label carries a boxed warning.
Check it at the source: the aspirin FDA label on DailyMed (effective September 9, 2025); the naproxen FDA label on DailyMed (effective March 12, 2026).
Highlights of the aspirin record
Aspirin (Measurin) · label of September 9, 2025
Used for
From the label: indicationsTemporarily relieves headache toothache pain and fever of colds muscle pain menstrual pain minor pain of arthritis
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- June 25, 1965
- Generic labelers
- none listed
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.0142 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- A presentation being discontinued
- Recalls
- 1
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 (Aspirin label of September 9, 2025, Naproxen label of March 12, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do aspirin and naproxen differ on the record?
Only the naproxen label carries a boxed warning.
Generics: aspirin none approved; naproxen since 1992 (Drugs@FDA).
| Aspirin | Naproxen | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Pain, Cough and cold, Fever | 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) | June 25, 1965 | March 11, 1976 |
| First generic approved | none | October 30, 1992 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | none listed | 139 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.0142 per tablet (Aspirin ec 81 mg tablet) | $0.0565 per tablet (Naproxen 500 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -2% | -9% |
| Boxed warning | No | Yes |
| Shortage now | A presentation being discontinued | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 1 | 8 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 534,208 | 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)
Do their labels mention each other?
Naproxen label, contraindications (prescription label)History of asthma, urticaria, or other allergic-type reactions after taking aspirin or other NSAIDs.
Naproxen label, warningsAllergy alert: Naproxen sodium may cause a severe allergic reaction, especially in people allergic to aspirin.
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA
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 aspirin
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions