Relafen vs. Naproxen (Aleve, Anaprox, Naprosyn)

• Are Relafen and Naprosyn the Same Thing?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Relafen?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Naprosyn?
• What Is Relafen?
• What Is Naprosyn?
• What Drugs Interact with Relafen?
• What Drugs Interact with Naprosyn?
• How Should Relafen Be Taken?
• How Should Naprosyn Be Taken?

Relafen (nabumetone) and Naprosyn (naproxen) are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) used to treat inflammation and pain caused by arthritis.

Naprosyn is also used for pain management for many diseases, and for inflammatory diseases such as tendonitis, bursitis, and gout.

The brand name Relafen is no longer available in the U.S. Generic versions may be available.

Side effects of Relafen and Naprosyn that are similar include upset stomach, heartburn, stomach/abdominal pain, diarrhea, constipation, bloating, gas, dizziness, headache, nervousness, skin itching or rash, blurred vision, or ringing in your ears.

Side effects of Naprosyn that are different from Relafen include nausea.

Both Relafen and Naprosyn may interact with alcohol, antidepressants, blood thinners, lithium, methotrexate, heart or blood pressure medications, diuretics (water pills), steroids, and aspirin or other NSAIDs.

Relafen may also interact with ACE inhibitors.

Naprosyn may also interact with antacids, cholestyramine, cyclosporine, digoxin, pemetrexed, seizure medications, probenecid, and insulin or oral diabetes medicines.

Common side effects of Relafen include:

• upset stomach,
• heartburn,
• stomach pain,
• diarrhea,
• constipation,
• bloating,
• gas,
• dizziness,
• headache,
• nervousness,
• skin itching or rash,
• blurred vision, or
• ringing in your ears.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (including Relafen) may rarely increase the risk for a heart attack or stroke. Bleeding from the gastrointestinal tract is another potentially serious side effect of Relafen.

Common side effects of Naprosyn include:

• heartburn,
• stomach or abdominal pain,
• upset stomach,
• nausea,
• diarrhea,
• constipation,
• bloating,
• gas,
• dizziness,
• nervousness,
• skin rash,
• headache,
• blurred vision,
• ringing in your ears, and
• itching.

Relafen (nabumetone) is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) drug used to treat inflammation and pain caused by arthritis. The brand name drug Relafen is no longer available in the U.S. Generic versions may be available.

Naprosyn (naproxen; other brand names: EC-Naprosyn and Anaprox/Anaprox DS), is a proprionic acid derivative and is considered a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) and is used for pain management for many diseases, arthritic diseases, and inflammatory diseases such as tendonitis, bursitis, and gout.

Relafen may interact with antidepressants, blood thinners, lithium, methotrexate, diuretics (water pills), steroids, aspirin or other NSAIDs, or ACE inhibitors.. There are no adequate, well-controlled studies in pregnant women, and Relafen should be used in pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus. Use during late pregnancy should be avoided because of the known effects of NSAIDs in the fetal cardiovascular system (closure of ductus arteriosus). It is not known whether Relafen is excreted in human milk; a decision should be made whether to discontinue breastfeeding or to discontinue the Relafen.

Naprosyn may interact with antidepressants, blood thinners, lithium, methotrexate, diuretics (water pills), steroids, aspirin or other NSAIDs, or heart or blood pressure medications. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use. Naprosyn may cause premature closing of the ductus arteriosus in the fetus and does enter breast milk; avoidance of the drug in pregnant and breastfeeding women is suggested.

Use the lowest effective dose for the shortest duration consistent with individual patient treatment goals.

Naprosyn (delayed release to reduce gastric irritation) with strengths of 375 and 500 mg, Anaprox in 275 mg tablets, Anaprox DS in 550 mg tablets. Almost all Naprosyn drugs are recommended to be dosed twice per day (every 12 hours) with children's doses (strength in mg per Kg) based on the child's weight, also twice a day with a maximum dose of 15 mg per Kg per day. Individuals with renal problems should avoid taking Naprosyn. Possible (usually less than 1% of patients) severe side effects are gastric ulcers and GI bleeding, anemia, renal function impairment, liver impairment, pancreatitis, colitis, convulsions, cardiac problems, severe skin changes, and mental status changes.