naproxen sodium is the generic ingredient in aleve and several other brands of pain medication naproxen is in a class of drugs called non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs nsaids which work by blocking the production of prostaglandins substances in the body that play a role in pain and inflammationnaproxen has been used in the united states since 1980aproxen is in a group of drugs called non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs nsaids nsaid medicines may increase the chance of a heart attack or stroke that can lead to death this chance increases with longer use of nsaid medicines in people who have heart disease