Difference Between Naproxen And Celebrex

Both Naproxen and Celebrex are NSAID s. Naproxen sodium is an over the counter and a cox-1 inhibitor, whereas Celebrex is available only by prescription and is a cox-2 inhibitor. Both of these medications treat the symptoms of arthritis and are used for acute or chronic pain relief. However, individuals who are unable to take NSAIDS such as naproxen should be advised to take Celebrex due to lesser side effects. The major difference in both of these medications is the side effect it causes. Naproxen has been indicated to cause GI bleeding. It is a better choice of medication for people who have a higher risk of heart attacks or stroke. Studies show that positive aspect of taking naproxen is that it does not increase the risk of these conditions (The nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs: treating osteoarthritis and pain, 2013).
It is an expensive medication and not sold over the counter. According to research article, “celecoxib (Celebrex), is the only COX-2 selective NSAID available in the U.S., and has consistently shown an advantage in lowering the risk of serious ulcer complications in the short-term (six months or less) compared with other NSAIDs” (The nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs: treating osteoarthritis and pain, 2013, p.19). In addition, Celebrex is effective at reducing the risk of ulcers with longer-term use. However, because it is an NSAID, it has been found to increase the risk of heart disease conditions, liver/kidney disease, and blood clotting