Difference Between Aleve and Motrin

Drugs are used daily by people. We use drugs for different reasons. They can be used for hypertension, to lower blood cholesterol or even to help us go to sleep. Though there are many uses for pharmacologic products, one of the most basic being to prevent or to stop pain.

Pain is interpreted by the brain after receiving an impulse from the nerve that is affected. Pain is used as a defense mechanism by the body to tell you that something is wrong and that something needs to be done. There are a number of classifications of drugs used to treat  pain. There are narcotics like morphine, but there are also drugs like corticosteroids and non-steroidal anti-inflammatories.

Aleve and Motrin are both classified as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. This simply means that, just like any other NSAID, both function by inhibiting  COX enzymes in order to reduce the pain being felt by the patient. Both Aleve and Motrin are frequently used during episodes of dysmenorrhea, but, typically, NSAID drugs are never be used during heart procedures as these drugs are known to increase the risk of heart attack.

Aleve and Motrin, though classified broadly under NSAID, can still be distinguished from each other. Aleve is a brand name for Naproxen. Naproxen was originally produced in the 70s as a prescription drug. It was only in 1994 that it was decided by the FDA that the drug could be sold as an over-the-counter medications Although classified as a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory, Aleve does not to have some of the properties of other drugs in the group. Aleve can thus be taken even if a patient has undergone a complicated heart operation because it does not interfere with the cardioprotective capabilities of other drugs.

Motrin is the brand name of ibuprofen, another drug classified as a NSAID. Apart from its use as a pain medication, ibuprofen is also used to treat acne because of its anti-inflammatory properties. According to the latest studies, Motrin can also be used as a deterrent to Alzheimer’s Disease. By using it in low doses, the chances of developing Alzheimer’s could be minimized, if not eliminated completely.

1. Aleve and Motrin are both classified as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
2. Both drugs act by inhibiting COX enzymes in order to prevent pain caused by inflammation.
3. Aleve can be used even after heart surgery because it does not to interfere with the cardioprotective properties of other drugs.
4. Aleve is the brand name for Naproxen while Motrin is for ibuprofen.
5. Ibuprofen can be used as a deterrent for Alzheimer’s, but it can’t be used after heart surgery.