Two medicines, side by side
Naproxen vs morphine
Naproxen and morphine are both labeled for pain. Drugs@FDA records approvals of naproxen since 1976 and of morphine since 1984. Pharmacies paid $0.0565 per naproxen 500 mg tablet and $0.226 per morphine sulfate ir 15 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 morphine an opioid agonist.
Check it at the source: the naproxen FDA label on DailyMed (effective March 12, 2026); the morphine FDA label on DailyMed (effective July 13, 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 morphine record
Morphine (Duramorph) · label of July 13, 2026
ADDICTION, ABUSE, AND MISUSE; RISK EVALUATION AND MITIGATION STRATEGY (REMS); LIFE-THREATENING RESPIRATORY DEPRESSION; ACCIDENTAL INGESTION; NEONATAL OPIOID WITHDRAWAL SYNDROME; and RISKS FROM CONCOMITANT USE WITH BENZODIAZEPINES OR OTHER CNS DEPRESSANTS Addiction, Abuse, and Misuse Morphine sulfate exposes patients and other users to the risks of opioid addiction, abuse, and misuse, which can lead to overdose and death.
Used for
From the label: indicationsMorphine sulfate extended-release tablets are indicated for the management of pain severe enough to require daily, around-the-clock, long-term opioid treatment and for which alternative treatment options are inadequate. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- September 18, 1984
- Generic labelers
- 22 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.226 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- In shortage
- Recalls
- 66
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Naproxen label of March 12, 2026, Morphine label of July 13, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do naproxen and morphine differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, naproxen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug and morphine an opioid agonist.
Both labels carry a boxed warning; the records quote them.
Generics: naproxen since 1992; morphine since 1986 (Drugs@FDA).
DEA schedule: naproxen none; morphine CII.
| Naproxen | Morphine | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Morphine is a full opioid agonist is relatively selective for the mu-opioid receptor, although it can bind to other opioid receptors at higher doses. The principal therapeutic action of morphine is analgesia. |
| Half-life (label) | n/a | Excretion The elimination of morphine occurs primarily as renal excretion of M3G and its effective half-life after intravenous administration is normally 2 to 4 hours. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | March 11, 1976 | September 18, 1984 |
| First generic approved | October 30, 1992 | October 7, 1986 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 139 labelers | 22 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.0565 per tablet (Naproxen 500 mg tablet) | $0.226 per tablet (Morphine sulfate ir 15 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -9% | -12% |
| Boxed warning | Yes | Yes |
| Shortage now | No current entry | In shortage |
| Recalls recorded | 8 | 66 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 142,225 | 120,591 |
| 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 ) ].
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA
What next?
- Alternatives to naproxen
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions