# Aleve the same as Vicodin? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [December 13, 2003, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aleve-the-same-as-vicodin/218839 "2003-12-13T22:44:17Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![chefIL11](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e36b37/32.png) [@chefIL11](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chefIL11)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2003, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aleve-the-same-as-vicodin/218839/1 "2003-12-13T22:44:17Z")
After receiving a deep cut on my hand I was told to take Aleve when someone interrupted that they will be making it illegal to purchase aleve over the counter because it is too powerful. I am quite skeptical. Is this true? If it is true, then why doesn’t it provide the same pain killing feelings as pain killers such as vicodin? ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2003, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aleve-the-same-as-vicodin/218839/2 "2003-12-13T23:01:08Z")
vicodin uses narcotics to kill the pain (hydrocodone). The narcotics are a controlled substance. There is already a prescription strength med that is the same as aleve. Naproxen is the generic(I believe) name. ---
**Author:** ![Eleusis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Eleusis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eleusis)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2003, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aleve-the-same-as-vicodin/218839/3 "2003-12-13T23:20:44Z")
Not true. They are two completely different molecules. Aleve is not illegal over the counter anywhere in the U.S. ---
**Author:** ![St.Urho](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8e7dd6/32.png) [@St.Urho](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/St.Urho)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2003, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aleve-the-same-as-vicodin/218839/4 "2003-12-13T23:24:18Z")
**Joey P** is correct. [Vicodin](http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic/hydrocod.htm) is actually a combination of hydrocodone and acetaminophen (Tylenol). Hydrocodone is an opiate painkiller and as such is a [Schedule III](http://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/schedules/alpha/alphag_l.htm) controlled drug (see hydrocodone combination products on that list). Aleve (generic naproxen sodium) does not contain any controlled substances. I’m curious, though, have any other drugs ever been sold over the counter, then made controlled substances? ---
**Author:** ![Eleusis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Eleusis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eleusis)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2003, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aleve-the-same-as-vicodin/218839/5 "2003-12-13T23:26:56Z")
Sorry I misread your OP. If there is a plan to make Aleve prescription only, it has not been reported in the news. (Check [news.google.com](http://news.google.com)) I highly doubt it. ---
**Author:** ![Eleusis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Eleusis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eleusis)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2003, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aleve-the-same-as-vicodin/218839/6 "2003-12-13T23:28:56Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by St. Urho \* > [BI’m curious, though, have any other drugs ever been sold over the counter, then made controlled substances? \*\* Well, cocaine for one. ---
**Author:** ![zabrain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/dbc845/32.png) [@zabrain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zabrain)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2003, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aleve-the-same-as-vicodin/218839/7 "2003-12-13T23:56:25Z")
Vicodin (Hydrocodone) is a combination of an opiate and an analgesic. Alleve is a brand name for the naproxen sodium compound. The key to the Alleve/Naproxen Sodium question is the dosing. Marketed and manufactured at lower dosages, naproxen sodium can be sold OTC but if intended for use at higher dosages or extended periods a prescription is required. IMHO naproxen sodium appears to be wonder drug with a short half-life. It works great for a few days then the effects diminish rapidly. I would love to say that the requirement of a prescription from ignoring this phenomena and overdosing to the point of toxicity searching for relief were for our health, but, I really believe it’s a marketing ploy.[/runon sentence] BTW Opiates are Schedule II drugs when pure and Schedule III when they are considered just ingredients in another drug. This lowered scheduling allows doctors and patients more access to opiate pain killers; The doctors aren’t scrutinized as much for prescribing hydrocodone over say, oxycodone, a narcotic being watched closely by the DEA and the patients can find relief without being considered a dope fiend hooked on hillbilly heroin. ---
**Author:** ![kimfair](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/278dde/32.png) [@kimfair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kimfair)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2003, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aleve-the-same-as-vicodin/218839/8 "2003-12-14T00:06:31Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by zabrain \* > \*\*Vicodin (Hydrocodone) is a combination of an opiate and an analgesic. Alleve is a brand name for the naproxen sodium compound. > > The key to the Alleve/Naproxen Sodium question is the dosing. Marketed and manufactured at lower dosages, naproxen sodium can be sold OTC but if intended for use at higher dosages or extended periods a prescription is required. > > \*\* \Quite true, my friend. Another example of this is Motrin IB or generic ibuprofen (or any of the other brand names of the drug). Available over the counter in 200mg strengths, it is a prescription item when given in 400mg or 600mg tablets. Now a bright person would just take 2 or 3 of the 200mg, but that would be more than the packaging tells you to take. ---
**Author:** ![Markxxx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5daacb/32.png) [@Markxxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Markxxx)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2003, 4:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aleve-the-same-as-vicodin/218839/9 "2003-12-15T04:32:15Z")
I believe Aleve is STILL prescription only in Canada. Actually I found the BEST OTC med for pain is ORUDIS. But you have to take a prescription dose to get that. The box says to take one pill (OTC). That does nothing. If you take 4 (the prescripton dose) it works better than anything I’ve ever taken… ---
**Author:** ![Revtim](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/revtim/32/1042_2.png) [@Revtim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revtim)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2003, 4:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aleve-the-same-as-vicodin/218839/10 "2003-12-15T04:55:15Z")
Heroin was also sold over the counter, and ironically at that time you needed perscription for asprin. ---
**Author:** ![Derleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Derleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Derleth)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2003, 4:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aleve-the-same-as-vicodin/218839/11 "2003-12-15T04:59:08Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by St. Urho \* > \*\*I’m curious, though, have any other drugs ever been sold over the counter, then made controlled substances? \*\* The name `heroin’ was once a trademark of Bayer. Yes, it’s the same stuff. [It was a cough remedy.](http://www.a1b2c3.com/drugs/opi004.htm) ---
**Author:** ![danceswithcats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9e8a1a/32.png) [@danceswithcats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/danceswithcats)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2003, 5:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aleve-the-same-as-vicodin/218839/12 "2003-12-15T05:28:01Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by St. Urho \* > I’m curious, though, have any other drugs ever been sold over the counter, then made controlled substances? \*\* In addition to those mentioned, Paregoric was OTC when I was a little cat. Folk used to use it for numbing the gums of teething children, and also dealing with diarrhea. It’s now a component or Donnagel-PG and Parepectolin, both anti-diarrheal meds. ---
**Author:** ![SeekingTruth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/34f0e0/32.png) [@SeekingTruth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SeekingTruth)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2003, 5:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aleve-the-same-as-vicodin/218839/13 "2003-12-15T05:40:20Z")
Aleve is a prescription med in Canada? ---
**Author:** ![St.Urho](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8e7dd6/32.png) [@St.Urho](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/St.Urho)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2003, 6:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aleve-the-same-as-vicodin/218839/14 "2003-12-15T06:42:35Z")
Intersting. Thanks everybody. ---
**Author:** ![Nametag](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nametag/32/406_2.png) [@Nametag](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nametag)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2003, 7:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aleve-the-same-as-vicodin/218839/15 "2003-12-15T07:02:04Z")
And, more recently, PhisoHex (hexachloraphene skin cleanser) was made prescription-only, due to some safety issues. It was replaced with Phisoderm, which does not appear (to me) to do anything useful. ---
**Author:** ![Markxxx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5daacb/32.png) [@Markxxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Markxxx)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2003, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aleve-the-same-as-vicodin/218839/16 "2003-12-16T03:00:39Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by SeekingTruth \* > \*\*Aleve is a prescription med in Canada? \*\* I sent an email to Bayer (makers of Aleve) to ask and here is the response: > [@](#): > > \*\*\*Thank you for your recent e-mail concerning the product Aleve. > Specifically, you wish to inquire about the of availability of this product in > Canada. We regret to inform you that Aleve is not available in Canada. However, a product with the same active ingredient is available with a prescription. The active ingredient in our U.S. formulation is Naproxen Sodium 220mg. The prescription products in Canada contain either 275mg or 550mg. Please consult your physician to determine if this medication can be prescribed to you. > Thank you for taking the time to contact us regarding this matter and your > interest in Bayer Inc. products. > Sincerely, > Sarah Gable > Consumer Relations" > > * * * So that is what they say anyway ---
**Author:** ![HomerIU](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a88e4f/32.png) [@HomerIU](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HomerIU)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2003, 3:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aleve-the-same-as-vicodin/218839/17 "2003-12-16T03:21:09Z")
In a sense, prior to about the early 1900s all controlled substances were essentially “over the counter”. The idea of banned or controlled substances is largely a 20th century idea. ---
**Author:** ![Eleusis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Eleusis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eleusis)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2003, 6:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aleve-the-same-as-vicodin/218839/18 "2003-12-16T06:22:01Z")
Strange that Naproxen Sodium is prescription only in Canada but you can buy codeine OTC there. ---
**Author:** ![Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spectre_of_pithecanthropus/32/12343_2.png) [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spectre_of_Pithecanthropus)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2003, 6:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aleve-the-same-as-vicodin/218839/19 "2003-12-16T06:33:59Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Eleusis \* > \*\*Well, cocaine for one. \*\* Just about every controlled substance was once available over the counter, except for newer synthetic narcotics invented after the Controlled Substances Act took effect. ---
**Author:** ![Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spectre_of_pithecanthropus/32/12343_2.png) [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spectre_of_Pithecanthropus)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2003, 6:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aleve-the-same-as-vicodin/218839/20 "2003-12-16T06:37:37Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Spectre of Pithecanthropus \* > \*\*Just about every controlled substance was once available over the counter, except for newer synthetic narcotics invented after the Controlled Substances Act took effect. \*\* Well, actually that’s an oversimplification. I should have said, “after strict drug controls came into effect in whatever locality is under discussion”. It didn’t start with the Controlled Substances Act of 1970, or even the Harrison Narcotic Act of 1914, because some localities already had laws against certain drugs such as opium. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aleve-the-same-as-vicodin/218839.md?page=2)