Aleve (Naproxen Sodium): Comprehensive Evidence-Based Review for Pain Management and Inflammation Control

Product Overview and Clinical Significance Aleve, known generically as naproxen sodium, represents one of the most widely utilized nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) available without prescription in the United States since 1994. What makes this compound particularly interesting from a pharmacological standpoint is its extended half-life relative to other OTC analgesics—roughly 12-17 hours compared to ibuprofen’s 2-4 hours. This pharmacokinetic property fundamentally changes how we think about dosing schedules and patient compliance.