Although marketed only as a generic "painkiller and fever reducer", Aleve has both drawbacks and benefits over more common painkillers such as Tylenol (acetaminophen) and Advil (ibuprofen). For starters, Aleve is formulated to last 8-12 hours, instead of the usual 4 for most other painkillers. It does take a bit longer to kick in, so for a minor headache it's by no means the best bet. Also, if not taken with enough water, it can lend itself to minor stomach upsets, so for small aches and fevers, try another pill. (And although uncleozzy recommends taking this pill with milk, this upsets some people's stomachs further or occasionally leads to a feeling of nausea, especially when taken for cramps.)

What Aleve is better at, though, than its companions are worse problems such as "minor arthritis pain, headache, muscle/body aches, menstrual Pain, backache, aches & pains of common cold". Many women find this product works far better and longer on menstrual cramps than any other painkiller out there, even those marketed specially as "menstrual formula" products. The fact that it's eight hours also allows for a full night's sleep, as some people are awoken in the night from cramps when shorter-term painkillers wear off. It's also gotten excellent recommendations from doctors as being a effective tool against arthritis, again both for its potency and its staying power. SOME but not nearly all find it's effective on minor--not chronic--migraines, as well.It's not a "one pill wonder" for everything, but for killer headaches and pains a bit worse than usual, or when you really need something that won't wear off an hour after it kicks in, Aleve may bear consideration.


aleve.com