Ibuprofen vs Naproxen
National NHS prescribing compared (Prescription Cost Analysis)
Naproxen was dispensed 9.7× as often as Ibuprofen in March 2026 — 635,908 items versus 65,888 in England.
65,888items
Ibuprofen · March 2026
NHSBSA Prescription Cost Analysis
635,908items
Naproxen · March 2026
NHSBSA Prescription Cost Analysis
Figure 1. Ibuprofen versus Naproxen: national items dispensed by month
▬ Ibuprofen · ╌ Naproxen
Source: NHSBSA Prescription Cost Analysis, to March 2026
| Measure | Ibuprofen | Naproxen |
|---|---|---|
| Items, March 2026 | 65,888 | 635,908 |
| Items, last 12 months | 809,706 | 7,541,183 |
| Net ingredient cost, March 2026 | £214,814 | £1,673,757 |