Comparative Pharmacology
Head-to-head clinical analysis: NAPROXEN versus VOLTAREN.
Peer-Reviewed Evidence
Head-to-head clinical analysis: NAPROXEN versus VOLTAREN.
NAPROXEN vs VOLTAREN
Comparing the clinical profiles, pharmacokinetic behaviors, and safety indices of these two therapeutic agents.
Naproxen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that inhibits cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), thereby reducing the synthesis of prostaglandins involved in inflammation, pain, and fever.
Diclofenac inhibits cyclooxygenase (COX-1 and COX-2) enzymes, reducing prostaglandin synthesis, thereby providing anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antipyretic effects.
250-500 mg orally twice daily; maximum 1.5 g/day. For extended-release: 750-1000 mg orally once daily.
Oral: 50-100 mg every 8-12 hours; maximum 150 mg/day. IM: 75 mg once daily for up to 2 days. Topical gel: apply 2-4 g to affected area 4 times daily.
None Documented
None Documented
Clinical Note
moderateNaproxen + Gatifloxacin
"Naproxen may increase the neuroexcitatory activities of Gatifloxacin."
Clinical Note
moderateNaproxen + Rosoxacin
"Naproxen may increase the neuroexcitatory activities of Rosoxacin."
Clinical Note
moderateNaproxen + Levofloxacin
"Naproxen may increase the neuroexcitatory activities of Levofloxacin."
Clinical Note
moderateNaproxen + Trovafloxacin
"Naproxen may increase the neuroexcitatory activities of Trovafloxacin."
Terminal elimination half-life 12-17 hours (mean 14 hours); permits twice-daily dosing. Half-life prolonged in elderly and hepatic impairment.
Terminal elimination half-life is approximately 2 hours (range 1.2–2.5 hours) for diclofenac; this short half-life supports multiple daily dosing. The half-life is not significantly altered in renal impairment but may be prolonged in hepatic disease.
Primarily renal (95% as unchanged naproxen and 6-O-desmethylnaproxen); <5% fecal via biliary excretion.
Approximately 65% of a dose is excreted renally as unchanged drug and glucuronide conjugates, with about 35% eliminated via biliary/fecal routes as metabolites.
Category D/X
Category C
NSAID
NSAID