WASHINGTON, Feb. 10 (UPI) -- U.S. medical experts this week are considering whether pain-killers containing naproxen carry less heart risk than other anti-inflammatory drugs.
A Food and Drug Administration panel meeting Monday and Tuesday is expected to make a recommendation on whether naproxen, sold as Aleve by Bayer, may present little, if any, danger to the heart. Such a declaration could give naproxen a marketing edge over competing drugs, such as ibuprofen -- sold as Advil, Motrin and generic versions -- and the prescription-only Celebrex, the Wall Street Journal reported.
The drugs are used by millions of people for joint pain, arthritis, other aches and injuries.
While the advisory panel could recommend label changes that would benefit the marketing of Aleve, the Journal noted the FDA isn't required to adopt the panel's suggestions. While the committee will vote Tuesday, the FDA decision will come later.
