Two medicines, side by side
Naproxen vs hydromorphone
Naproxen and hydromorphone are both labeled for pain. Drugs@FDA records approvals of naproxen since 1976 and of hydromorphone since 1984. Pharmacies paid $0.0565 per naproxen 500 mg tablet and $0.219 per hydromorphone 4 mg tablet (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like. In FDA's classes, naproxen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug and hydromorphone an opioid agonist.
Check it at the source: the naproxen FDA label on DailyMed (effective March 12, 2026); the hydromorphone FDA label on DailyMed (effective May 14, 2026).
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
Highlights of the hydromorphone record
Hydromorphone (Dilaudid) · label of May 14, 2026
SERIOUS AND LIFE-THREATENING RISKS FROM USE OF HYDROMORPHONE HYDROCHLORIDE WARNING: SERIOUS AND LIFE-THREATENING RISKS FROM USE OF HYDROMORPHONE HYDROCHLORIDE See full prescribing information for complete boxed warning. Ensure accuracy when prescribing, dispensing, and administering hydromorphone hydrochloride oral solution. Dosing errors due to confusion between mg and mL can result in accidental overdose and death.
Used for
From the label: indicationsHydromorphone hydrochloride oral solution and hydromorphone hydrochloride tablets are indicated for the management of pain severe enough to require an opioid analgesic and for which alternative treatments are inadequate. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- January 11, 1984
- Generic labelers
- 13 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.219 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- In shortage
- Recalls
- 30
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Naproxen label of March 12, 2026, Hydromorphone label of May 14, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do naproxen and hydromorphone differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, naproxen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug and hydromorphone an opioid agonist.
Both labels carry a boxed warning; the records quote them.
Generics: naproxen since 1992; hydromorphone since 1995 (Drugs@FDA).
DEA schedule: naproxen none; hydromorphone CII.
| Naproxen | Hydromorphone | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Fever, Rheumatoid arthritis, Osteoarthritis, Gout, Pain, Cough and cold | Pain |
| Pharmacologic class | Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drug | Opioid Agonist |
| How it works (label) | n/a | Hydromorphone is a full opioid agonist and is relatively selective for the mu-opioid receptor, although it can bind to other opioid receptors at higher doses. The principal therapeutic action of hydromorphone is analgesia. |
| Half-life (label) | n/a | The terminal elimination half-life of hydromorphone after an intravenous dose is about 2.3 hours. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | March 11, 1976 | January 11, 1984 |
| First generic approved | October 30, 1992 | August 23, 1995 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 139 labelers | 13 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.0565 per tablet (Naproxen 500 mg tablet) | $0.219 per tablet (Hydromorphone 4 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -9% | +11% |
| Boxed warning | Yes | Yes |
| Shortage now | No current entry | In shortage |
| Recalls recorded | 8 | 30 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 142,225 | 91,453 |
| DEA schedule | none | CII |
Source: Drugs@FDA, FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026, FDA shortages and recalls, FAERS via openFDA (FDA files October 8, 2026)
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 ) ].
Hydromorphone label, warnings and precautionsRisks from Concomitant Use with Benzodiazepines or Other CNS Depressants Profound sedation, respiratory depression, coma, and death may result from the concomitant use of hydromorphone hydrochloride oral solution and hydromorphone hydrochloride tablets with benzodiazepines and/or other CNS depressants, including alcohol (e.g., non-benzodiazepine sedatives/hypnotics, anxiolytics, tranquilizers, muscle relaxants …
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA
What next?
- Alternatives to naproxen
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions