Aleve is an over-the-counter medication containing the active ingredient naproxen. It is available in 250 mg, 500 mg, and 700 mg sustained release (SR) formulations. Aleve is commonly used to alleviate pain, reduce inflammation, and decrease swelling associated with joint and muscle conditions, such as arthritis, backache, and menstrual cramps. Manufactured by trusted companies, Aleve is also available under other brand names including Naprosyn and Proxidom.