NSAID brand and generic names
Common NSAID pairs
| Brand name | Generic name | Class or type |
|---|---|---|
| Advil / Motrin | ibuprofen | NSAIDs |
| Aleve / Naprosyn | naproxen | NSAIDs |
| Mobic | meloxicam | NSAIDs |
| Voltaren | diclofenac | NSAIDs |
| Celebrex | celecoxib | NSAIDs |
| Bayer Aspirin | aspirin | Analgesics / antiplatelets |
Aspirin has antiplatelet activity at low doses; it is grouped here for NSAID name recognition.
Understanding NSAIDs
Most traditional NSAIDs inhibit cyclooxygenase (COX). Celecoxib is a selective COX-2 inhibitor. Ibuprofen and naproxen appear in many OTC brands—learn one anchor brand per generic.
Naming patterns and memory tips
Meloxicam, diclofenac, and celecoxib do not share one suffix; rely on brand pairing rather than spelling rules.
Commonly confused NSAID names
Ibuprofen and naproxen
Advil–ibuprofen and Aleve-associated naproxen are both OTC NSAIDs but different ingredients.
Celebrex and Celexa
Celebrex–celecoxib is an NSAID; Celexa–citalopram is an SSRI.