What an Aleve Tablet Looks Like

Aleve tablets are small, round, and orange or orange-brown in color. The most common form is a standard tablet about the size of a small pea. On one side, you will see the word "ALEVE" stamped or imprinted into the tablet. On the other side, there is usually a number or code that identifies the specific product and strength.

The orange color is consistent across most Aleve products sold in the United States, which makes them straightforward to spot in a bottle or blister pack. The tablet has a smooth surface and is not coated, though some formulations may have a slightly different finish. If you are holding a tablet and cannot see clear markings, it may not be Aleve.

Aleve comes in different formats beyond the standard tablet. Aleve Liquid Gels are soft capsules that are also orange but are shaped like a capsule rather than a round tablet. Aleve PM, which combines naproxen with a sleep aid, comes in a blue caplet. If you are looking specifically for the original Aleve, the round orange tablet is what you will find in most drugstores.

Key Takeaways

  • Standard Aleve tablets are small, round, and orange or orange-brown, with "ALEVE" printed on one side.
  • The reverse side of the tablet contains a number or code that identifies the product strength and formulation.
  • Aleve Liquid Gels are orange capsules, not tablets, and have a different shape than the standard round tablet.
  • Aleve PM tablets are blue, not orange, so they look distinctly different from the original Aleve product.
  • The orange color and clear markings make Aleve tablets straightforward to distinguish from other over-the-counter pain relievers in your medicine cabinet.

How Aleve Markings Help You Identify the Right Dose

The imprint on the back of an Aleve tablet tells you the strength and sometimes the specific product line. Most standard Aleve tablets contain 220 milligrams of naproxen sodium, which is the active ingredient. The imprint code varies depending on the manufacturer and when the tablet was made, but it will always include identifying information.

If you have multiple pain relievers in your medicine cabinet, the markings become important for safety. You should never take a tablet from a bottle without a label, and you should always check the imprint before taking any medication. If the tablet does not match the label on the bottle, do not take it.

Comparing Aleve to Other Orange Tablets

Several other medications come in orange or orange-brown tablets, which can cause confusion. Ibuprofen, another common pain reliever, sometimes comes in orange tablets but is usually smaller and has different markings. Aspirin tablets are often white or round but rarely orange. Acetaminophen tablets vary widely in color and size depending on the brand.

The most reliable way to tell Aleve apart from other tablets is to look for the word "ALEVE" printed directly on the tablet. If you cannot read clear markings, the tablet is not Aleve. Store all medications in their original bottles with labels intact so you always know what you are taking.

What to Do If Your Aleve Tablets Look Different

Aleve tablets can look slightly different depending on when they were manufactured and which facility produced them. The color may be slightly lighter or darker orange, and the size may vary slightly. However, the word "ALEVE" and the imprint code should always be present and clear.

If you have a bottle of Aleve and the tablets look very different from what is described here — for example, if they are a different color entirely, have no markings, or the markings are unclear — check the label on the bottle first. If the label says Aleve but the tablets do not match, contact the pharmacy where you purchased them. Do not take tablets you cannot identify with certainty.

Aleve Liquid Gels and Other Formats

Aleve also sells Liquid Gels, which are soft capsules rather than tablets. These are orange and oval-shaped, similar in size to the round tablet but with a different form. Liquid Gels contain the same active ingredient as the standard tablet and work the same way, but some people find them easier to swallow.

Aleve PM is a different product entirely and comes in a blue caplet. This version combines naproxen with diphenhydramine, a sleep aid, and is meant to be taken at night. The blue color makes it very straightforward to distinguish from standard Aleve. If you are taking Aleve PM, make sure you are not mixing it with other sleep aids or pain relievers.

Storing and Organizing Your Aleve

Keep Aleve tablets in their original bottle with the label attached. The label tells you the strength, the number of tablets in the bottle, and the expiration date. If you transfer tablets to a pill organizer or another container, write the name, strength, and expiration date on that container so you always know what you are taking.

Store Aleve in a cool, dry place away from moisture and direct sunlight. Do not store it in the bathroom medicine cabinet, where humidity from showers can damage the tablets. Keep all medications out of reach of children and pets, and never leave loose tablets where they can be confused with other medications.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I tell the difference between Aleve and generic naproxen sodium by looking at the tablet?

Not always. Generic naproxen sodium tablets may be the same size and color as Aleve, but the imprint will be different. Generic versions will have a different code or company name on the tablet. Always read the label on the bottle, not just the tablet itself, to know what you are taking.

What if I find an orange tablet in my medicine cabinet and cannot read the markings?

Do not take it. Throw it away or take it to a pharmacy for disposal. If you need pain relief, take a tablet directly from a labeled bottle so you know exactly what you are taking. Unmarked or unclear tablets should never be consumed.

Are all Aleve tablets orange?

Standard Aleve tablets are orange or orange-brown. Aleve Liquid Gels are also orange but are capsule-shaped. Aleve PM is blue. If you are looking for the original Aleve, orange is the color you should see, but always check the label to be certain.

Do Aleve tablets change appearance over time?

Aleve tablets may fade slightly if exposed to light or moisture, but they should not change color dramatically while stored properly. If your tablets look significantly different from when you first opened the bottle, check the expiration date. If the tablets are expired or look damaged, do not take them.

How do I know if my Aleve tablet is counterfeit?

Buy Aleve only from reputable pharmacies and retailers. The tablet should have clear, sharp markings and be the correct orange color. The bottle should have a safety seal and a clear label with the manufacturer's information. If you have any doubt about where a tablet came from, do not take it.