Aleve and Advil are bothnonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs(NSAIDs) used to relieve pain and reduce fever. Advil is a short-acting drug, while Aleve is longer-acting. Advil seems to cause fewer stomach issues, while Aleve carries a lower risk of heart attack and stroke compared to other NSAIDs. Advil is recommended for children under 12 years old.
This article explores the similarities and differences between Aleve and Advil. It includes information about the products, dosage, and any side effects.
Verywell / Jessica Olah
Aleve vs. Advil: What Are the Similarities?
Aleve and Advil are both NSAIDs used to reduce fever and relieve pain from minor aches and pains. Aleve and Advil work in the same way: inhibiting (blocking) enzymes commonly known asCOX-1 and COX-2, which are involved with inflammation processes in the body.
Aleve and Advil are sold over the counter (OTC), which means they don’t require a prescription. They are similarly effective at relieving a variety of types of pain, including:
The main target of both drugs is COX-2, but they also inhibit COX-1, which isn’t desirable.
COX-1 maintains the normal lining of the stomach, so inhibiting it can cause digestive tract symptoms, like ulcers and upset stomach. COX-1 also is involved with kidney and blood platelet function. This means there can be side effects such as bleeding and impaired kidney function.
Side effects of both drugs can include:
Do not take Advil or Aleve if you have kidney problems.
The Function of Blood Platelets
Aleve vs. Advil: What Are the Differences?
Advil is a shorter-acting drug, so you may need to take it every 4 to 6 hours if your pain has not subsided. Aleve is longer-acting. One OTC dose of Aleve typically lasts up to 12 hours. There are several differences between the two NSAIDs, including these key ones.
Active Ingredients
Each Advil tablet contains 200 milligrams (mg) of ibuprofen, its active ingredient. Each Aleve tablet contains 220 mg of its active ingredient, naproxen sodium.
Dosing
The drugs have different dosing instructions because the effects of Advil last for four to eight hours, while Aleve lasts for eight to 12 hours. Advil starts working more quickly, but doesn’t last as long as Aleve.
Side Effects
Aleve vs. Advil: Is One Safer for the Heart?
The FDA warned about increased heart attack and stroke risk with all NSAIDs, including Aleve and Advil, in 2015.Other cardiovascular effects could include increased blood pressure, congestive heart failure, and palpitations.
Further research has looked for differences in heart safety between Aleve and Advil. More research is needed, but there are several studies that suggest the naproxen found in Aleve is linked to a lower cardiovascular risk.
Aleve vs. Advil: Which Is Better for Children?
Advil is the most widely used NSAID for the treatment of inflammation, mild-to-moderate pain and fever in children, and is the only NSAID approved for use in children aged 3 months and older.
Although there are some situations when your child’s healthcare provider may recommend Aleve, there is more supporting data for using Advil so it is more likely to be recommended.
Can You Take Them Together?
Taking Advil and Aleve together is not recommended. The risk of side effects and adverse events increases if both are taken together. You should stick to taking one or the other, and only as directed, using the lowest effective dose.
Summary
Advil (ibuprofen) and Aleve (naproxen) are both nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). They relieve pain in similar ways, but both can also lead to stomach ulcers, increased bleeding risk, and other problems.
Advil works more quickly, but for a shorter time. Advil seems to cause fewer stomach issues, while Aleve carries a lower risk of heart attack and stroke. The two medications should not be used together.
Both drugs are available without a prescription. However, as with most drugs, it’s a good idea to contact your healthcare provider if you have questions.
8 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Brune K, Patrignani P.New insights into the use of currently available non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.J Pain Res. 2015;8:105-118. doi:10.2147/JPR.S75160Maseda D, Ricciotti E.NSAID-gut microbiota interactions.Front Pharmacol. 2020;11:1153. doi:10.3389/fphar.2020.01153American Academy of Pediatrics.Ibuprofen dosing table for fever and pain.Blakely KM, Drucker AM, Rosen CF.Drug-induced photosensitivity-an update: culprit drugs, prevention and management.Drug Saf. 2019;42(7):827-847. doi:10.1007/s40264-019-00806-5Food & Drug Administration.FDA strengthens warning of heart attack and stroke risk for non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.Varga Z, Sabzwari SRA, Vargova V.Cardiovascular Risk of Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs: An Under-Recognized Public Health Issue.Cureus. 2017;9(4):e1144. Published 2017 Apr 8. doi:10.7759/cureus.1144Angiolillo DJ, Weisman SM.Clinical pharmacology and cardiovascular safety of naproxen.Am J Cardiovasc Drugs. 2017;17(2):97-107. doi:10.1007/s40256-016-0200-5de Martino M, Chiarugi A, Boner A, Montini G, De' Angelis GL.Working Towards an Appropriate Use of Ibuprofen in Children: An Evidence-Based Appraisal.Drugs. 2017;77(12):1295-1311. doi:10.1007/s40265-017-0751-zAdditional ReadingAdvil.Advil story.Aleve.Frequently asked questions.U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA).Medication guide for non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
8 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Brune K, Patrignani P.New insights into the use of currently available non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.J Pain Res. 2015;8:105-118. doi:10.2147/JPR.S75160Maseda D, Ricciotti E.NSAID-gut microbiota interactions.Front Pharmacol. 2020;11:1153. doi:10.3389/fphar.2020.01153American Academy of Pediatrics.Ibuprofen dosing table for fever and pain.Blakely KM, Drucker AM, Rosen CF.Drug-induced photosensitivity-an update: culprit drugs, prevention and management.Drug Saf. 2019;42(7):827-847. doi:10.1007/s40264-019-00806-5Food & Drug Administration.FDA strengthens warning of heart attack and stroke risk for non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.Varga Z, Sabzwari SRA, Vargova V.Cardiovascular Risk of Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs: An Under-Recognized Public Health Issue.Cureus. 2017;9(4):e1144. Published 2017 Apr 8. doi:10.7759/cureus.1144Angiolillo DJ, Weisman SM.Clinical pharmacology and cardiovascular safety of naproxen.Am J Cardiovasc Drugs. 2017;17(2):97-107. doi:10.1007/s40256-016-0200-5de Martino M, Chiarugi A, Boner A, Montini G, De' Angelis GL.Working Towards an Appropriate Use of Ibuprofen in Children: An Evidence-Based Appraisal.Drugs. 2017;77(12):1295-1311. doi:10.1007/s40265-017-0751-zAdditional ReadingAdvil.Advil story.Aleve.Frequently asked questions.U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA).Medication guide for non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Brune K, Patrignani P.New insights into the use of currently available non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.J Pain Res. 2015;8:105-118. doi:10.2147/JPR.S75160Maseda D, Ricciotti E.NSAID-gut microbiota interactions.Front Pharmacol. 2020;11:1153. doi:10.3389/fphar.2020.01153American Academy of Pediatrics.Ibuprofen dosing table for fever and pain.Blakely KM, Drucker AM, Rosen CF.Drug-induced photosensitivity-an update: culprit drugs, prevention and management.Drug Saf. 2019;42(7):827-847. doi:10.1007/s40264-019-00806-5Food & Drug Administration.FDA strengthens warning of heart attack and stroke risk for non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.Varga Z, Sabzwari SRA, Vargova V.Cardiovascular Risk of Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs: An Under-Recognized Public Health Issue.Cureus. 2017;9(4):e1144. Published 2017 Apr 8. doi:10.7759/cureus.1144Angiolillo DJ, Weisman SM.Clinical pharmacology and cardiovascular safety of naproxen.Am J Cardiovasc Drugs. 2017;17(2):97-107. doi:10.1007/s40256-016-0200-5de Martino M, Chiarugi A, Boner A, Montini G, De' Angelis GL.Working Towards an Appropriate Use of Ibuprofen in Children: An Evidence-Based Appraisal.Drugs. 2017;77(12):1295-1311. doi:10.1007/s40265-017-0751-z
Brune K, Patrignani P.New insights into the use of currently available non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.J Pain Res. 2015;8:105-118. doi:10.2147/JPR.S75160
Maseda D, Ricciotti E.NSAID-gut microbiota interactions.Front Pharmacol. 2020;11:1153. doi:10.3389/fphar.2020.01153
American Academy of Pediatrics.Ibuprofen dosing table for fever and pain.
Blakely KM, Drucker AM, Rosen CF.Drug-induced photosensitivity-an update: culprit drugs, prevention and management.Drug Saf. 2019;42(7):827-847. doi:10.1007/s40264-019-00806-5
Food & Drug Administration.FDA strengthens warning of heart attack and stroke risk for non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
Varga Z, Sabzwari SRA, Vargova V.Cardiovascular Risk of Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs: An Under-Recognized Public Health Issue.Cureus. 2017;9(4):e1144. Published 2017 Apr 8. doi:10.7759/cureus.1144
Angiolillo DJ, Weisman SM.Clinical pharmacology and cardiovascular safety of naproxen.Am J Cardiovasc Drugs. 2017;17(2):97-107. doi:10.1007/s40256-016-0200-5
de Martino M, Chiarugi A, Boner A, Montini G, De' Angelis GL.Working Towards an Appropriate Use of Ibuprofen in Children: An Evidence-Based Appraisal.Drugs. 2017;77(12):1295-1311. doi:10.1007/s40265-017-0751-z
Advil.Advil story.Aleve.Frequently asked questions.U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA).Medication guide for non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
Advil.Advil story.
Aleve.Frequently asked questions.
U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA).Medication guide for non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
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