Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Is Midol Complete?Dosing GuidelinesSide Effects and SafetyGuidelines for Safe and Effective UseAlternative Treatment Options

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

What Is Midol Complete?

Dosing Guidelines

Side Effects and Safety

Guidelines for Safe and Effective Use

Alternative Treatment Options

Midol Complete is an over-the-counter pain (OTC) pain reliever used to treatmenstrual-related symptoms.

It contains 500 milligrams (mg) of acetaminophen, 60 mg of caffeine (about as much as a cup of coffee), and 15 mg of pyrilamine maleate. These three active ingredients work together to help lessen symptoms of discomfort associated with menstrual periods.

Generally, two caplets of Midol Complete can be taken every six hours, but you should take at most six caplets daily.

This article will provide an overview of how to safely and effectively take Midol and a general overview of its side effects, forms of administration, and more.

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Person in a denim shirt sitting at a desk and holding a white pill in their hand

Midol Complete is used to treat the following menstrual-related symptoms in adults and adolescents 12 years and older:

Forms of Administration

Midol Complete is administered as an oral caplet.Alternatively, Midol Complete also exists in oral gel cap form.

Additionally, there are lower-cost, generic versions available.

Active Ingredients

Midol Complete contains three active ingredients: acetaminophen, caffeine, and pyrilamine.

Acetaminophen is the active ingredient found inTylenoland provides pain relief for pain-related symptoms.

Caffeine acts as a vasoconstrictor and adiuretic, or fluid pill, to help minimize headaches and bloating.

Finally, pyrilamine is anantihistaminethat also helps with fatigue.

Various Midol products are available.

For example, there are formulations that are caffeine-free (Midol Complete Caffeine Free), versions that contain the diuretic component only (Midol Bloat Relief), and versions that contain the extended-release (ER) version of acetaminophen (Midol Long Lasting Relief).

Pamprin vs. Midol for Menstrual Symptoms

Midol Complete caplets and gelcaps contain 500 mg of acetaminophen, 60 mg of caffeine, and 15 mg of pyrilamine maleate.

Up to two caplets or gelcaps of Midol Complete can be taken every six hours for menstrual period symptoms, including cramp relief, muscle aches, and headaches.

The total daily dose should not exceed six caplets or gelcaps daily.

How Quickly Will Midol Complete Work?

Pain-relieving effects of Midol Complete should not take longer than 45 minutes to begin working, regardless of the formulation of Midol Complete being used or the intended use of the medication.

A standard dose should last four to six hours.

How Long Does Midol Complete Stay in Your System?

Midol Complete is a short-acting medication that you may need to take multiple times daily for symptom relief.

The pain-relieving effect of Midol Complete may last from four to six hours in the body. This is important because it helps show how long additional intake of acetaminophen and caffeine should be avoided.

A medication’shalf-lifeis the amount of time it takes for the concentration of the drug in your blood to decrease in half.

A half-life breakdown of Midol Complete’s active ingredients:

A Word From VerywellMidol products are OTC combinations of medication used to relieve menstrual period symptoms. Each product contains different medications intended to treat various symptoms. The dosage depends on the type of Midol product, so it is important to read the label carefully to find the ingredients and learn how often to take it.—FEMI AREMU, PHARMD, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD

A Word From Verywell

Midol products are OTC combinations of medication used to relieve menstrual period symptoms. Each product contains different medications intended to treat various symptoms. The dosage depends on the type of Midol product, so it is important to read the label carefully to find the ingredients and learn how often to take it.—FEMI AREMU, PHARMD, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD

Midol products are OTC combinations of medication used to relieve menstrual period symptoms. Each product contains different medications intended to treat various symptoms. The dosage depends on the type of Midol product, so it is important to read the label carefully to find the ingredients and learn how often to take it.

—FEMI AREMU, PHARMD, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD

Femi Aremu, PharmD

Like all drugs, Midol Complete carries the potential to cause side effects of varying severity.

Therefore, be sure to monitor yourself or a loved one carefully for the emergence of side effects that appear severe, worsen over time, or fail to dissipate entirely.

Common Side Effects

Common side effects associated with the use of Midol Complete include:

Severe Side Effects

Severe side effects associated with the use of Midol Complete include:

Long-Term Side Effects

Long-term side effects associated with Midol Complete includesevere liver damage.

Midol Complete should be taken with water, as directed, and used as needed for symptom management. Avoid doubling up on doses and stay within the daily recommended dose.

Excess caffeine and alcohol consumption (three or more alcohol-containing drinks) should be avoided when taking Midol Complete.

Midol Complete should be taken short-term for period-related symptoms. Contact your healthcare provider if your pain worsens or lasts longer than 10 days or if you have a fever lasting longer than three days.

Who Shouldn’t Take Midol Complete?

While acetaminophen is generally safe, pregnant or breastfeeding people should contact a healthcare provider to determine the appropriateness of using Midol Complete.

You should not take Midol Complete if you have any of the following health conditions:

In addition to acetaminophen, other options for lessening symptoms include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs),hormonal contraception (birth control), or a combination of therapy.

Exercise and a heating pad to apply to the affected areas (lower back or lower stomach) are non-medical ways to minimize pain.

Ideally, treatment begins just before or at the start of the menstrual cycle and continues during the cycle while symptoms persist.

Pain levels and symptom involvement can vary among people with period-related pain and discomfort.

Midol Complete vs. NSAIDsNSAIDs are recommended as a top treatment choice for period-related pain.However, acetaminophen is recommended as an alternative therapy for those who are unable to tolerate or can’t safely take NSAIDs.Therefore, while NSAIDs may be the more effective treatment option, acetaminophen-containing products may be better tolerated and have fewer side effects.For context, know that acetaminophen is the main pain-relieving ingredient in Midol Complete.

Midol Complete vs. NSAIDs

NSAIDs are recommended as a top treatment choice for period-related pain.However, acetaminophen is recommended as an alternative therapy for those who are unable to tolerate or can’t safely take NSAIDs.Therefore, while NSAIDs may be the more effective treatment option, acetaminophen-containing products may be better tolerated and have fewer side effects.For context, know that acetaminophen is the main pain-relieving ingredient in Midol Complete.

NSAIDs are recommended as a top treatment choice for period-related pain.

However, acetaminophen is recommended as an alternative therapy for those who are unable to tolerate or can’t safely take NSAIDs.

Therefore, while NSAIDs may be the more effective treatment option, acetaminophen-containing products may be better tolerated and have fewer side effects.

For context, know that acetaminophen is the main pain-relieving ingredient in Midol Complete.

Summary

NSAIDs are recommended as a top treatment choice for period-related pain. However, acetaminophen is recommended as an alternative therapy for those who are unable to tolerate or can’t safely take NSAIDs.

Midol Complete is an OTC pain reliever that contains three active ingredients: acetaminophen, caffeine, and pyrilamine. It helps relieve period-related pain and discomfort in adults and adolescents 12 years and older.

Midol Complete can be taken every six hours for symptom management if no other acetaminophen or caffeine-containing products are being taken simultaneously.

If you believe any preexisting conditions or ongoing prescription drug regimens may affect your or a loved one’s ability to tolerate Midol Complete, consult first with a healthcare provider.

10 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.DailyMed.Label: Midol Complete - acetaminophen, caffeine, and pyrilamine maleate tablet.DailyMed.Label: Midol Complete Gelcaps - midol complete tablet, coated.MedlinePlus.Acetaminophen.MedlinePlus.Caffeine.National Institute of Health - PubChem.Pyrilamine maleate.DailyMed.Label: acetaminophen, pamabrom, pyrilamine maleate tablet, film coated.DailyMed.Label: Midol Bloat Relief - pamabrom tablet.DailyMed.Label: Midol Long Lasting Relief - acetaminophen tablet, extended release.UpToDate.Dysmenorrhea in adult females: treatment.Nie W, Xu P, Hao C, Chen Y, Yin Y, Wang L.Efficacy and safety of over-the-counter analgesics for primary dysmenorrhea: A network meta-analysis.Medicine (Baltimore).2020;99(19):e19881. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000019881

10 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.DailyMed.Label: Midol Complete - acetaminophen, caffeine, and pyrilamine maleate tablet.DailyMed.Label: Midol Complete Gelcaps - midol complete tablet, coated.MedlinePlus.Acetaminophen.MedlinePlus.Caffeine.National Institute of Health - PubChem.Pyrilamine maleate.DailyMed.Label: acetaminophen, pamabrom, pyrilamine maleate tablet, film coated.DailyMed.Label: Midol Bloat Relief - pamabrom tablet.DailyMed.Label: Midol Long Lasting Relief - acetaminophen tablet, extended release.UpToDate.Dysmenorrhea in adult females: treatment.Nie W, Xu P, Hao C, Chen Y, Yin Y, Wang L.Efficacy and safety of over-the-counter analgesics for primary dysmenorrhea: A network meta-analysis.Medicine (Baltimore).2020;99(19):e19881. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000019881

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

DailyMed.Label: Midol Complete - acetaminophen, caffeine, and pyrilamine maleate tablet.DailyMed.Label: Midol Complete Gelcaps - midol complete tablet, coated.MedlinePlus.Acetaminophen.MedlinePlus.Caffeine.National Institute of Health - PubChem.Pyrilamine maleate.DailyMed.Label: acetaminophen, pamabrom, pyrilamine maleate tablet, film coated.DailyMed.Label: Midol Bloat Relief - pamabrom tablet.DailyMed.Label: Midol Long Lasting Relief - acetaminophen tablet, extended release.UpToDate.Dysmenorrhea in adult females: treatment.Nie W, Xu P, Hao C, Chen Y, Yin Y, Wang L.Efficacy and safety of over-the-counter analgesics for primary dysmenorrhea: A network meta-analysis.Medicine (Baltimore).2020;99(19):e19881. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000019881

DailyMed.Label: Midol Complete - acetaminophen, caffeine, and pyrilamine maleate tablet.

DailyMed.Label: Midol Complete Gelcaps - midol complete tablet, coated.

MedlinePlus.Acetaminophen.

MedlinePlus.Caffeine.

National Institute of Health - PubChem.Pyrilamine maleate.

DailyMed.Label: acetaminophen, pamabrom, pyrilamine maleate tablet, film coated.

DailyMed.Label: Midol Bloat Relief - pamabrom tablet.

DailyMed.Label: Midol Long Lasting Relief - acetaminophen tablet, extended release.

UpToDate.Dysmenorrhea in adult females: treatment.

Nie W, Xu P, Hao C, Chen Y, Yin Y, Wang L.Efficacy and safety of over-the-counter analgesics for primary dysmenorrhea: A network meta-analysis.Medicine (Baltimore).2020;99(19):e19881. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000019881

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