It's bad enough when prescription drugs like Vioxx and Celebrex turn out to have secondary effects that can kill you. But when a popular over-the-counter pill like Aleve (also known as naproxen) makes front-page news, linked to a 50% increased risk of heart attack, you've got to wonder what's going on. After all, most of us assume that any drugs sold over the counter--that is to say, without a doctor's prescription--must be pretty darn safe. And in general they are, when taken as directed--usually for just a few days--or in modest doses.
Aleve may yet get a clean bill of health....