gabapentin vs naproxen
Side-by-side comparison of gabapentin 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
Naproxen Coadministration (N=18) of naproxen sodium capsules (250 mg) with Gabapentin (125 mg) appears to increase the amount of gabapentin absorbed by 12% to 15%. Gabapentin had no effect on naproxen pharmacokinetic parameters.
Recommendation: Your doctor may need to monitor you for increased side effects if you take these medications at the same time.
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Gabapentin is a medicine that can treat nerve pain and seizures. It works by calming overactive nerves in the body.
Naproxen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). It helps reduce pain, swelling, and stiffness.
Gabapentin is used to manage nerve pain after shingles in adults. This is called postherpetic neuralgia. It is also used with other medicines to treat partial seizures in adults and children ages 3 and older who have epilepsy.
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.
Gabapentin affects how nerves send signals to the brain. It is thought to work by decreasing the activity of overexcited nerve cells. This can reduce pain and prevent seizures.
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.
- • Dizziness
- • Sleepiness
- • Swelling in arms and legs
- • Uncoordinated movements
- • Tiredness
- • Heartburn
- • Abdominal pain
- • Nausea
- • Constipation
- • Diarrhea
- Tiredness 24,395
- Feeling sick to your stomach 21,942
- Aches and discomfort 20,748
- Loose or watery stools 17,456
- Pain in your head 17,287
- Pain 8,756
- Tiredness 7,338
- Joint pain 7,244
- Feeling sick to your stomach 7,063
- Headache 5,717
This medicine can cause a severe allergic reaction with fever, rash, and organ problems. Stop taking gabapentin and get medical help right away if you have trouble breathing or swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Do not drive or operate heavy machinery until you know how gabapentin affects you. Do not stop taking gabapentin suddenly, as this may increase seizures. Gabapentin may cause suicidal thoughts or actions. Watch for changes in mood or behavior. Using gabapentin with opioid medicines can cause very slow breathing, sedation, and death. Children ages 3 to 12 may have new or worsening behavior 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.
Gabapentin may cause harm to an unborn baby based on animal studies. If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, talk to your doctor. Gabapentin passes into breast milk. The effects on a nursing baby are not known.
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 gabapentin vs naproxen Comparison
gabapentin is classified in the Anticonvulsant / Nerve Pain Agent 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 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, gabapentin has 101,828 submissions while naproxen has 36,118. 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 naproxen can cause the body to absorb a slightly higher amount of gabapentin than it normally would. this could potentially increase the effects or side effects of the gabapentin.. 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 gabapentin 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.