diflunisal vs naproxen
Side-by-side comparison of diflunisal and naproxen Data from FDA drug databases (Orange Book, NDC Directory, recalls, shortages) covering 20,000+ approved drugs, plus CMS pricing; see our methodology.
moderate Known Drug Interaction
NSAIDs and Salicylates Clinical Impact: 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 ) ].
Recommendation: Avoid using these medications at the same time.
Dolobid
Aleve, Naprosyn
Diflunisal is a medicine that can help with pain and swelling. It belongs to a class of drugs called NSAIDs.
Naproxen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). It helps reduce pain, swelling, and stiffness.
Diflunisal can help with mild to moderate pain. It can also treat the symptoms of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. You should use the lowest dose that works for you, for the shortest time needed.
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.
Diflunisal reduces pain and swelling by blocking the production of certain chemicals in your body. These chemicals cause inflammation and pain. By blocking them, diflunisal helps to relieve your symptoms.
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.
- • Nausea
- • Vomiting
- • Upset stomach
- • Stomach pain
- • Diarrhea
- • Heartburn
- • Abdominal pain
- • Nausea
- • Constipation
- • Diarrhea
- Feeling sick to your stomach 66
- Feeling very tired 57
- Discomfort or aching 50
- Allergic reaction to the medicine 47
- Pain in your head 45
- The medicine did not work 9,822
- Pain 8,756
- Tiredness 7,338
- Joint pain 7,244
- Feeling sick to your stomach 7,063
NSAIDs like diflunisal can increase your risk of heart problems like heart attack and stroke, which can be deadly. This risk is higher if you take it for a long time. You should not take diflunisal if you are having heart bypass surgery. NSAIDs also raise your risk of serious stomach problems like bleeding and ulcers, which can also be deadly. Older adults are at higher risk for these stomach problems.
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.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Taking diflunisal late in pregnancy may harm your baby. It is not known if diflunisal passes into breast milk, so talk to your doctor before breastfeeding.
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 diflunisal vs naproxen Comparison
diflunisal 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 split between OTC and prescription status, which affects access and supervision.
Adverse event totals above are pulled from the FDA's Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). For these top-ranked reactions alone, diflunisal has 265 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 moderate interaction flagged in FDA labeling, attributed to taking these two similar pain relievers together increases the risk of stomach and intestinal damage without providing extra relief.. 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 diflunisal 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.