Comment by kazinator
7 hours ago
The higher risk of GI bleeds is could be somewhat balanced by not having to take as many.
There are also slow release forms of naproxen. (Which make sense given its long action: lets people fade in the next one while the previous dose slowly fades out). That could also help make it easier on the GI tract.
> The higher risk of GI bleeds is somewhat balanced by not having to take as many!
Unless I am missing something, the data really doesn't back that up. naproxen is much more longer lasting and has a higher chance of causing ulcers. Hence why its not over the counter in the UK and is prescribed with omeprazole to reduce the risk of issues.
I'm reading about this in more detail. Indeed, it's not the contact between the medication and the digestive tract that is the problem, but simply its presence in the blood stream. By inhibiting those certain enzymes, it reduces the production of prostaglandings, causes problems for the lining.
Naproxen will be around longer due to its long half-life, so it creates more opportunity for this problem.