Compare meloxicam vs. naproxen
Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, ratings, and more.
Relieves pain and inflammation.
Mobic (meloxicam) works well for pain and inflammation and you only take it once a day, but you need a prescription.
●●●●●
3.8/ 5 average rating with 141 reviewsformeloxicam
Relieves pain, fever, and inflammation.
Aleve (naproxen) works well for treating mild to moderate pain or inflammation, and lasts longer than other NSAIDs.
●●●●●
3.9/ 5 average rating with 978 reviewsfornaproxen
Upsides
- Taken only once a day, while other NSAIDS need to be taken a few times a day for the same effect.
- Works well to relieve pain and inflammation due to osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.
- Causes less stomach upset than other NSAIDs.
- Relatively cheap compared to other prescription NSAIDS.
- Aleve (naproxen) is good for relieving pain from common conditions like menstrual cramps, toothaches, and arthritis.
- It lasts longer than other NSAIDS so you don't have to take it as often.
- Aleve (naproxen) is generally safe to use, cheap, and available over-the-counter.
- Aleve (naproxen) causes fewer stomach problems than its alternatives.
Downsides
- Mobic (meloxicam) does not kick in as fast as other NSAIDS.
- It's available by prescription only.
- Mobic (meloxicam) is not as safe as other alternatives for pregnant women and people who are age 60 or older.
- It can cause serious complications like stomach bleeding and kidney problems if taken for a long time.
- Aleve (naproxen) needs to be taken with food or millk to lower the chances of upset stomach.
- Like all NSAIDs, Aleve (naproxen) is as not safe for pregnant women and people who are age 60 or older.
- It can cause serious complications like stomach bleeding and kidney problems if taken for a long period of time.
- Like all NSAIDs, Aleve (naproxen) can raise your risk of getting blood clots, heart attack, or stroke.
Used for
Dosage forms
- Pill
- Suspension
- Pill
- Delayed-release pill
- Extended-release pill
- Suspension
Price
Lowest price
$864.23
Find instant savings near youLowest price
$40.03
Find instant savings near youWant to save even more money?
Sign up now for a 30-day trial and save up to 95% at CVS, Kroger, Albertsons, and other pharmacies.
Learn more
Reviews
141 reviews so far
64%
saidit'sworth it
54%
saiditworked well
13%
saidit'sa big hassle
Have you used Mobic (meloxicam)?
Leave a review978 reviews so far
78%
saidit'sworth it
48%
saiditworked well
5%
saidit'sa big hassle
Have you used Aleve (naproxen)?
Leave a reviewSide effects
15possible side effects
- Indigestion10%
- Upper respiratory tract infection8%
- Nausea7%
- Urinary tract infection7%
- Pain5%
- Abdominal pain3%
- Constipation3%
- Diarrhea3%
- Gas3%
- Vomiting3%
- Dizziness3%
- Headache3%
- Anemia3%
- Swelling2%
- Insomnia2%
The Aleve (naproxen) FDA package insert doesn’t have numbers about how common side effects are.
Risks and risk factors
- Heart attack and stroke
- History of heart problems
- Taking the medicine for a long period of time
- Stomach bleeding
- History of stomach bleeding
- Age 60 or older
- Taking aspirin, other NSAIDs, or blood thinners
- Drinking more than 3 alcoholic beverages a day
- Smoking
- Taking the medicine for a long time
- Severe allergic reaction
- Asthma
- Nasal polyps
- Aspirin allergy
- NSAID allergy
- Kidney damage
- Kidney disease
- Heart failure
- Liver disease
- Taking certain high blood pressure medications
- Age 60 or older
- Taking the medicine for a long period of time
- Harm to fetus (unborn baby)
- Women who want to or can become pregnant
- Pregnant women
- Heart attack and stroke
- History of heart problems
- Taking the medicine for a long period of time
- Stomach bleeding
- History of stomach bleeding or ulcer
- Age 60 or older
- Taking aspirin, other NSAIDs, or blood thinners
- Drinking more than 3 alcoholic beverages a day
- Smoking
- Taking the medicine for a long period of time
- Severe allergic reaction
- Asthma
- Nasal polyps
- Aspirin allergy
- NSAID allergy
- Kidney damage
- Kidney disease
- Heart failure
- Taking certain high blood pressure medications
- Age 60 or older
- Taking the medicine for a long period of time
- Harm to fetus
- Women who want to or can become pregnant
- Pregnant women