Is aleve back and muscle different from regular aleve?

As someone who has suffered from the occasional muscle ache or painful backache, I am no stranger to the pain relief aisle at my local drugstore. So when I stumbled upon Aleve Back and Muscle while searching for an over-the-counter solution for my aches and pains, I couldn’t help but wonder: is it any different than regular Aleve? After conducting some in-depth (okay, not really) research, here’s what I found.

What is Aleve?

Let’s start with the basics. If you’re reading this article, chances are you have heard of Aleve before. In case you’ve been living under a rock (or avoiding pharmacies altogether), let me give you a brief overview.

Aleve is an over-the-counter pain reliever whose active ingredient is naproxen sodium (aren’t big words fun?). It belongs to a class of drugs called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Other popular NSAIDs include ibuprofen (Advil) and aspirin.

How does Naproxen sodium work?

Before we dive into how that specific type of Aleve differs from other products made by the company Bayer Pharmaceuticals, let’s quickly explore why naproxen sodium – or any NSAID – works in the first place.

Basically, our bodies contain enzymes called COX-1 and COX-2 that produce prostaglandins when we experience pain signals. Prostaglandins cause inflammation (so they’re kind of like little troublemakers) which can lead to swelling or soreness at affected areas.

When we take an NSAID like naproxen sodium (say that five times fast), it essentially blocks those troublesome COX enzymes so that inflammatory responses are reduced. Voila! Pain diminishes!

Enter ‘Aleve Back & Muscle’

Now that we understand what Aleve is and how it works on a basic level, let’s move on to the main topic at hand.

Aleve Back & Muscle (which Bayer Pharmaceuticals claims provide all-day pain relief) contains 220mg of naproxen sodium compared to regular Aleve tablets that have 200mg. According to the product label, this small bump up in milligrams makes them specifically formulated for “back and muscle pain.”

So are they different?

The short answer? Yes! They contain more medication per tablet than regular Aleve which seems pretty beneficial if you’re suffering from back or muscle strain.

Compared with Regular Aleve

Comparisons Aleve Tylenol
Uses Pain Relief (‘Arthritis’, ‘Headache’…) – Skip ‘Cold sore treatment’ by mistake!), Fever-Reduction Pain Relief (backaches, headaches)
Active Ingredients Naproxen Sodium – NSAID
Strengths 220mg / pill

But there’s more…

Since its name is very clear about what kind of discomfort it aims to target (unlike Regular-Aleve), the user themselves can’t be blamed for any confusion while browsing through drugstore aisles. And who knows? Just mentally seeing the words “Back & Muscle” might even give your brain an extra boost in relieving stress in those areas – similar to a placebo effect!

But what about side effects?

As with any medication ever created, there are always potential side effects. In fact, according to Mayo Clinic,do not take them close together cause these drugs affect how blood clots form; taking both types could increase one’s risk of bleeding or bruising.

The possible common symptoms experienced after consuming naproxen sodium as listed by Drugs.com include:

  • Upset stomach
  • Mild heartburn
  • Diarrhea
  • Constipation
  • Bloating, gas
  • Dizziness, headache

It’s no fun to experience those symptoms (trust me I’ve been there) but they should go away relatively quickly.

Conclusion

So if you’re experiencing some muscle or back pain and are in the market for an over-the-counter option, Aleve Back & Muscle seems like it could be worth a shot. Just remember that any medication – including even our beloved naproxen sodium – has potential side effects. It is always best to consult with a healthcare professional if you’re unsure of what course of action will work best for you!

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