FDA Weighs Heart Risks of Naproxen

U.S. drug regulators are considering whether to dial back warnings about increased heart-attack risk for the pain reliever naproxen. But an advisory panel voted this week against the idea. Naproxen (Naprosyn, Aleve and others) is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). Others in this group include aspirin, ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil and others) and the prescription drug celecoxib (Celebrex). They relieve pain and inflammation and reduce fevers. But in the last 10 years evidence has built up that these drugs also may increase the risk of heart attack. The drug labels carry warnings about this risk. But a research analysis published last year suggested there was a lower risk of heart problems with naproxen than with other NSAIDs. So the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said it would consider a label change for naproxen.