diclofenac vs naproxen
Side-by-side comparison of diclofenac 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
NSAIDs with short elimination half-lives (e.g., diclofenac, indomethacin) should be avoided for a period of two days before, the day of, and two days following administration of pemetrexed.
Recommendation: Avoid taking these two medications at the same time unless your doctor specifically tells you to do so.
Voltaren, Cataflam
Aleve, Naprosyn
Diclofenac is a gel that helps with arthritis pain in your hands, wrists, elbows, feet, ankles, or knees. It belongs to a class of drugs called NSAIDs.
Naproxen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). It helps reduce pain, swelling, and stiffness.
This medicine temporarily relieves arthritis pain. It is only for pain in your hands, wrists, elbows, feet, ankles, or knees. It may take up to 7 days to start working. If you still have pain after 7 days, stop using it.
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.
Diclofenac is an NSAID. It reduces pain and swelling by blocking substances in the body that cause inflammation.
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.
- • Pain
- • Headache
- • Heartburn
- • Abdominal pain
- • Nausea
- • Constipation
- • Diarrhea
- Medicine not working 13,689
- Pain 12,281
- Tiredness 11,317
- Rheumatoid arthritis 9,240
- Rash 8,747
- The medicine did not work 9,822
- Pain 8,756
- Tiredness 7,338
- Joint pain 7,244
- Feeling sick to your stomach 7,063
There are no boxed warnings in the provided data.
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.
There is no information about pregnancy or breastfeeding in the provided data.
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.
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How to Read This diclofenac vs naproxen Comparison
diclofenac is classified in the Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug (NSAID) drug class, while naproxen sits within the Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug (NSAID) class. Because both drugs share the same classification, they are often considered interchangeable in theory — but clinical outcomes rarely track that cleanly. 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, diclofenac has 55,274 submissions while naproxen has 40,223. 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 taking two similar pain relievers like naproxen and diclofenac together increases the risk of serious side effects like stomach ulcers and bleeding.. Serious warnings, pregnancy guidance, and contraindications can differ even when indications overlap.
A table cannot substitute for clinical judgment. Effectiveness, tolerability, drug-drug interactions with your other medications, kidney and liver function, pregnancy status, insurance formulary, and price all feed into a decision that only a licensed prescriber can make responsibly. Data here is sourced from FDA Structured Product Labels (SPL) and FAERS, both of which update as manufacturers and clinicians submit new information. This page is for educational purposes only, is not medical advice, and should not be used to self-switch between diclofenac and naproxen — always consult your physician or pharmacist first.
Important: This comparison is for informational purposes only. Drug effects vary between individuals. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist for personalized medical advice.