Active Ingredients

The active ingredient in both Aleve® and Aleve Arthritis® is naproxen sodium, which is present in doses of 220 mg per pill.

Inactive Ingredients

Inactive ingredients are those that have no specific healing properties and are added as a binder, preservative or for other secondary purposes. Inactive ingredients in Aleve Arthritis® include magnesium stearate, talc, titanium dioxide and polyethylene glycol.

Pharmacology

Prostaglandins are chemicals responsible for causing inflammation, fever and pain throughout the body. Naproxen sodium stops the production of the enzymes (cyclooxygenase-1 and -2) that create prostaglandins, thereby relieving these symptoms.

Special Features

Because it is often used to treat arthritis pain, Aleve Arthritis® comes in a container with a special cap designed for patients with the condition. According to Aleve.com, the Aleve Easy-Open Arthritis Cap® has received recognition by the Arthritis Foundation for its easy-to-use design.

Warning

Like all NSAIDs, Aleve® increases the risks of gastrointestinal bleeding, heart attack and other serious health problems. To reduce these risks, talk to your doctor before taking Aleve® if you suffer from cardiovascular or gastrointestinal disorders.