Comparative Pharmacology
Head-to-head clinical analysis: ADVIL versus ALEVE PM.
Peer-Reviewed Evidence
Head-to-head clinical analysis: ADVIL versus ALEVE PM.
ADVIL vs ALEVE PM
Comparing the clinical profiles, pharmacokinetic behaviors, and safety indices of these two therapeutic agents.
Non-selective cyclooxygenase (COX-1 and COX-2) inhibitor, reducing prostaglandin synthesis, thereby reducing pain, fever, and inflammation.
Diphenhydramine is a histamine H1 receptor antagonist that competes with histamine for binding at H1 receptor sites, reducing symptoms of allergic reactions and causing sedation. Naproxen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that inhibits cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes, decreasing synthesis of prostaglandins, which reduces pain and inflammation.
200-400 mg orally every 4-6 hours as needed; maximum 1200 mg/day (OTC). For prescription: 400-800 mg orally 3-4 times daily; maximum 3200 mg/day.
1 tablet (220 mg naproxen sodium / 25 mg diphenhydramine HCl) orally at bedtime as needed. Maximum: 2 tablets in 24 hours.
None Documented
None Documented
2-4 hours (terminal elimination half-life in adults; prolonged in overdose or renal impairment: up to 8-12 hours)
Naproxen: 12-17 hours (mean 13.6 hours); sufficient for twice-daily dosing; prolonged in renal impairment. Diphenhydramine: 2.4-9.3 hours (mean 5.5 hours); longer in elderly, hepatic impairment.
Renal: ~95% (hepatic metabolites and conjugates, <1% unchanged); biliary/fecal: ~5%
Naproxen: renal (95% as unchanged drug and metabolites, primarily as naproxen and 6-O-desmethyl naproxen). Diphenhydramine: renal (50-60% as unchanged drug and metabolites, primarily as diphenhydramine and nor diphenhydramine); small amounts in feces.
Category C
Category C
NSAID
NSAID/Antihistamine Combination