How does naproxen sodium work?

Question

How does the painkiller naproxen sodium work in comparison to ibuprofen and acetaminophen?

Answer 1

Naproxen and ibuprophen block the ability of cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes, which are responsible for synthesizing the various prostaglandins involved in inflammation.

Acetaminophen is not well understood, but it is thought to inhibit the ability of neurons in the brain that are involved in pain sensation.

Answer 2

From personal experience, I only need to take one naproxen versus 2 - 4 ibuprofens. For me it works wonders.

Answer 3

To get technical naproxyn (+)-(S)-2-
(6-methoxynaphthalen-2-yl)
propanoic acid is a non-steroid-anti inflammatory-drug (NSAID).

It's mechanism of action is described below:

Most NSAIDs act as non-selective inhibitors of the enzyme cyclooxygenase, inhibiting both the cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) isoenzymes. Cyclooxygenase catalyses the formation of prostaglandins and thromboxane from arachidonic acid (itself derived from the cellular phospholipid bilayer by phospholipase A2). Prostaglandins act (among other things) as messenger molecules in the process of inflammation. This mechanism of action was elucidated by John Vane, who later received a Nobel Prize for his work.

Answer 4

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naproxen
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acetominophen
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ibuprofen