Two medicines, side by side
Diflunisal vs naproxen
Diflunisal and naproxen are both labeled for osteoarthritis, pain and rheumatoid arthritis. Drugs@FDA records approvals of diflunisal since 1982 and of naproxen since 1976. Pharmacies paid $1.06 per diflunisal 500 mg tablet and $0.0565 per naproxen 500 mg tablet (NADAC, October 7, 2026).
Check it at the source: the diflunisal FDA label on DailyMed (effective August 4, 2026); the naproxen FDA label on DailyMed (effective March 12, 2026).
Highlights of the diflunisal record
Diflunisal (Dolobid) · label of August 4, 2026
Cardiovascular Thrombotic Events Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) cause an increased risk of serious cardiovascular thrombotic events, including myocardial infarction and stroke, which can be fatal. This risk may occur early in treatment and may increase with duration of use (see WARNINGS and PRECAUTIONS ). Diflunisal tablets are contraindicated in the setting of coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery (see CONTRAINDICATION and WARNINGS ).
Used for
From the label: indicationsCarefully consider the potential benefits and risks of diflunisal tablets and other treatment options before deciding to use diflunisal tablets. Use the lowest effective dose for the shortest duration consistent with individual patient treatment goals (see WARNINGS ). […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- April 19, 1982
- Generic labelers
- 6 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $1.06 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 0
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 (Diflunisal label of August 4, 2026, Naproxen label of March 12, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do diflunisal and naproxen differ on the record?
Both are in FDA's class nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
Both labels carry a boxed warning; the records quote them.
Generics: diflunisal since 1992; naproxen since 1992 (Drugs@FDA).
| Diflunisal | Naproxen | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Pain, Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid arthritis | Fever, Rheumatoid arthritis, Osteoarthritis, Gout, Pain, Cough and cold |
| Pharmacologic class | Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drug | Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drug |
| How it works (label) | n/a | n/a |
| Half-life (label) | In contrast to salicylic acid which has a plasma half-life of 2 1/2 hours, the plasma half-life of diflunisal is 3 to 4 times longer (8 to 12 hours), because of a difluorophenyl substituent at carbon 1. | n/a |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | April 19, 1982 | March 11, 1976 |
| First generic approved | July 31, 1992 | October 30, 1992 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 6 labelers | 139 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $1.06 per tablet (Diflunisal 500 mg tablet) | $0.0565 per tablet (Naproxen 500 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -4% | -9% |
| Boxed warning | Yes | Yes |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 0 | 8 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 806 | 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?
Diflunisal label, drug interactionsNaproxen The concomitant administration of diflunisal and naproxen in normal volunteers had no effect on the plasma levels of naproxen, but significantly decreased the urinary excretion of naproxen and its glucuronide metabolite.
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA
What do the labels say about using others of their kind?
Diflunisal label, drug interactionsThe clinical significance of this interaction is not known; however, as with other NSAIDs, concomitant administration of diflunisal tablets and aspirin is not generally recommended because of the potential of increased adverse effects.
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 diflunisal
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions