Ibuprofen vs Naproxen
National NHS prescribing compared (Prescription Cost Analysis)
Naproxen was dispensed 10.0× as often as Ibuprofen in May 2026 — 607,094 items versus 60,955 in England.
60,955items
Ibuprofen · May 2026
NHSBSA Prescription Cost Analysis
607,094items
Naproxen · May 2026
NHSBSA Prescription Cost Analysis
Figure 1. Ibuprofen versus Naproxen: national items dispensed by month
▬ Ibuprofen · ╌ Naproxen
Source: NHSBSA Prescription Cost Analysis, to May 2026
| Measure | Ibuprofen | Naproxen |
|---|---|---|
| Items, May 2026 | 60,955 | 607,094 |
| Items, last 12 months | 793,836 | 7,498,192 |
| Net ingredient cost, May 2026 | £198,279 | £1,708,614 |