What is the difference between naproxen and naproxen sodium?
Question posted by hderry on 8 May 2013
Last updated on 5 April 2018
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3 Answers
Naproxen comes in two forms - either as the base naproxen or as the salt form naproxen sodium. You can get it with a prescription, or without.
Both the base and salt forms work the same way to relieve pain. There is one difference -- naproxen base on a milligram-per-milligram basis is slightly stronger than naproxen sodium. Here’s how it works out -- 220, 275, or 550 mg of naproxen sodium equals 200, 250, and 500 mg of naproxen, respectively. However, you don’t need to worry about any conversion as these slight differences are already taken into account when doses are determined.
Nothing!!
Ok thank u
Nothing, that is the full name.
Ok thank u
They are different. Naproxen has a H+ in the formula. Naproxen Sodium replaces the H+ with a sodium ion, which works noticeably better for my arthritis.
Related topics
Further information
- Naproxen uses and safety info
- Naproxen prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Naproxen (detailed)
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