Two medicines, side by side
Prednisone vs naproxen
Prednisone and naproxen are both labeled for osteoarthritis. Drugs@FDA records approvals of prednisone since 1955 and of naproxen since 1976. Pharmacies paid $0.0643 per prednisone 20 mg tablet and $0.0565 per naproxen 500 mg tablet (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like. In FDA's classes, prednisone is a corticosteroid and naproxen a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug.
Check it at the source: the prednisone FDA label on DailyMed (effective April 22, 2025); the naproxen FDA label on DailyMed (effective March 12, 2026).
Highlights of the prednisone record
Prednisone (Meticorten) · label of April 22, 2025
Used for
From the label: indicationsPrednisone tablets and solutions are indicated in the following conditions: 1. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- February 21, 1955
- Generic labelers
- 45 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.0643 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 10
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 (Prednisone label of April 22, 2025, Naproxen label of March 12, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do prednisone and naproxen differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, prednisone is a corticosteroid and naproxen a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug.
Only the naproxen label carries a boxed warning.
Generics: prednisone since 1971; naproxen since 1992 (Drugs@FDA).
| Prednisone | Naproxen | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Osteoarthritis, Asthma, Allergies, Herpes and shingles, Leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, Multiple sclerosis, Eczema (atopic dermatitis), Anemia, Organ transplant rejection | Fever, Rheumatoid arthritis, Osteoarthritis, Gout, Pain, Cough and cold |
| Pharmacologic class | Corticosteroid | Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drug |
| How it works (label) | n/a | n/a |
| Half-life (label) | n/a | n/a |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | February 21, 1955 | March 11, 1976 |
| First generic approved | December 23, 1971 | October 30, 1992 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 45 labelers | 139 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.0643 per tablet (Prednisone 20 mg tablet) | $0.0565 per tablet (Naproxen 500 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -15% | -9% |
| Boxed warning | No | Yes |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 10 | 8 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 499,950 | 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)
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 prednisone
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions