Popular analgesics are medications used to relieve pain. Two of the most well-known analgesics are ALEVE and ANACIN. ALEVE is a brand of naproxen sodium, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that works by blocking the production of certain chemicals in the body that cause inflammation and pain. ANACIN is a combination of aspirin and caffeine that works by reducing hormones that cause pain and inflammation. Both medications can be used to treat mild to moderate pain, such as headaches, muscle aches, and menstrual cramps.