Aleve is a common over-the-counter medication used for temporary relief from minor aches, pains, and fever. It provides extended relief, often lasting up to 12 hours with a single dose. This medication targets discomfort from conditions such as minor arthritis pain, muscular aches, backache, menstrual cramps, headaches, toothaches, and symptoms of the common cold. Its composition includes both active and inactive components.
The Active Ingredient
The active ingredient in standard Aleve is naproxen sodium. This Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug (NSAID) is known for its pain-relieving, fever-reducing, and anti-inflammatory properties. Each standard Aleve caplet contains 220 mg of naproxen sodium, equivalent to 200 mg of naproxen.
Naproxen sodium works by inhibiting cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes. There are two main forms: COX-1 and COX-2. COX-1 is consistently present in tissues, maintaining normal bodily functions like protecting the stomach lining. COX-2 is primarily produced in response to injury or inflammation.
By blocking both COX-1 and COX-2 enzymes, naproxen sodium reduces the production of prostaglandins, lipid compounds contributing to pain, fever, and inflammation. Inhibiting COX-2 helps alleviate inflammatory symptoms. However, non-selective COX-1 inhibition can lead to side effects like gastrointestinal issues.
Understanding Inactive Ingredients
Inactive ingredients, also known as excipients, do not have a direct therapeutic effect but are essential for a medication’s overall formulation and performance. These components give the pill its physical form, ensure stability, facilitate proper absorption, and enhance appearance or palatability. They are crucial for manufacturing and proper drug function.
Common inactive ingredients in Aleve caplets include colloidal silicon dioxide, FD&C blue No. 2 aluminum lake, hypromellose, magnesium stearate, mannitol, polyethylene glycol, sodium starch glycolate, stearic acid, and titanium dioxide. Magnesium stearate acts as a lubricant, preventing ingredients from sticking to manufacturing equipment. Povidone functions as a binder, holding the tablet’s components together.
Croscarmellose sodium is a superdisintegrant, helping the tablet break apart quickly in the gastrointestinal tract, ensuring prompt active ingredient release. Talc can serve multiple roles, such as a lubricant or glidant, improving powder flow during manufacturing. Dyes like FD&C Blue No. 2 aluminum lake provide color, while titanium dioxide acts as a white pigment and opacifier. Carnauba wax is often used as a coating, making tablets easier to swallow and providing a smooth, glossy finish.
Exploring Different Aleve Products
While standard Aleve products primarily use naproxen sodium as their active ingredient, the brand offers variations for specific needs. These formulations may combine naproxen sodium with additional active ingredients. An example is Aleve PM, formulated to provide pain relief and assist with sleep.
Aleve PM contains 220 mg of naproxen sodium for pain relief and 25 mg of diphenhydramine hydrochloride, an antihistamine known for its sedative properties and a nighttime sleep aid. Other Aleve products, such as Aleve Back & Muscle Pain or Aleve Liquid Gels, maintain naproxen sodium as their core active ingredient. Their differences often lie in their inactive ingredients, delivery methods, or specific marketing for certain types of pain, rather than a change in the primary therapeutic compound.