How many mg of ibuprofen for menstrual cramps

Some products contain a pain reliever by itself. These include ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), and acetaminophen (Tylenol). 

Cramping and pain around the time of your period is very common. More than half of those who have periods report pain for about 1 to 2 days per month. Usually, menstrual cramps happen just before or at the beginning of your period. Some people describe this as muscle cramps or a painful feeling in the lower belly or back.

Menstrual cramps help the body remove blood and tissue if a pregnancy doesn't happen. The feeling of cramps is caused by the release of certain substances in the body called prostaglandins. Menstrual cramps may happen along with other symptoms, like bloating, headache, or fatigue.

There are a few recommendations for treating menstrual cramps at home. Exercising regularly might help. Using a hot water bottle or heating pad on your lower back or abdomen may also relieve cramps. But there are also a few over-the-counter (OTC) medications that can help treat menstrual cramps.

Let’s compare some of the OTC options for menstrual cramps to help aid you in choosing the right one for you.

Can menstrual cramps be treated with OTC medications?

Yes, OTC pain relievers can help with menstrual cramps. And when pain relievers are started 1 to 2 days before your period, they seem to work best. It’s recommended to continue taking them during the first few days of your period.

What OTC medications are available for menstrual cramps?

Here, we’ll talk about the OTC medications available for menstrual cramps. Some of them have one active ingredient, while others have a combination of medications. We’ll also cover how they work, the symptoms they can relieve, and how to take them.

1. Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin)

Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that can relieve pain caused by cramps. NSAIDs, like ibuprofen, help block the production of prostaglandins in your body. So, they target the cause of menstrual cramps.

For menstrual cramps, you can take 1 to 2 pills (200 mg to 400 mg) by mouth every 4 to 6 hours, as needed. When using OTC ibuprofen, you shouldn't take more than 1,200 mg per day. Taking more than the recommended dose can raise your risk of side effects. 

2. Naproxen (Aleve)

Naproxen (Aleve) is another NSAID that treats cramps. It works similarly to ibuprofen, treating the cause of the pain.

For menstrual cramps, you can take 1 tablet (220 mg) by mouth every 8 to 12 hours, as needed. You shouldn't take more than 3 tablets (660 mg) of OTC naproxen per day. Similar to ibuprofen, taking more naproxen than recommended raises your risk of side effects.

3. Acetaminophen (Tylenol)

Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is also a pain reliever, but it’s not an NSAID. It stops pain by blocking chemicals in the brain that cause pain. Research suggests NSAIDs may work better than acetaminophen for menstrual cramps. But acetaminophen is still an effective pain reliever option for many people.

A typical dose of acetaminophen is 2 tablets (650 mg) by mouth every 4 to 6 hours, as needed. The largest dose you can take per day depends on the form of acetaminophen you’re using.

But in general, most adults and children, ages 12 and older, shouldn’t take more than 4,000 mg per day. Some groups of people are recommended to take no more than 3,000 mg per day. So be sure to double check what dose is right for you with your healthcare provider. Taking higher doses can raise your risk of liver damage.

4. Midol

Midol is a well-known brand that makes several medications. Midol products are marketed specifically for period symptoms. In many pharmacies, they’re found in the same aisles as pads and tampons, instead of in the pain relief section. Generic versions of Midol that contain the same ingredients are also available.

Some Midol products may contain only acetaminophen. But others may include acetaminophen combined with other medications, such as caffeine or an antihistamine (like pyrilamine). These other ingredients can relieve other common period symptoms, such as bloating and feeling tired.

The dose of Midol depends on the ingredients. But many Midol products recommend taking 2 caplets by mouth every 6 or 8 hours. They also typically warn not to take more than 6 caplets per day. Make sure to read the product’s OTC drug facts label carefully to see which ingredients it contains and how to take it.

5. Pamprin

Pamprin is another brand that makes medication products specifically targeted to period symptoms. Pamprin makes two combination menstrual cramp products: Pamprin Multi-Symptom and Pamprin Max Pain + Energy. There are generic versions available for Pamprin products as well.

Both Pamprin products have acetaminophen in them. This acts as a pain reliever for menstrual cramps. The directions are the same for both Pamprin products: 2 caplets by mouth every 6 hours. You shouldn’t take more than 8 caplets per day. 

Pamprin Multi-Symptom includes acetaminophen, pamabrom (a mild water pill) and pyrilamine (an antihistamine). This product may be helpful if you’re also experiencing bloating and fatigue.

Pamprin Max Pain + Energy includes acetaminophen, aspirin (an NSAID), and caffeine (to relieve bloating). The aspirin is added to provide more pain relief. But it should be avoided by people younger than age 19. Giving aspirin to adolescents and young adults can cause a serious condition called Reye’s syndrome.

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GoodRx Health information and resources is reviewed by our editorial staff with medical and healthcare policy and pricing experience. See our editorial policy for more detail. We also provide access to services offered by GoodRx and our partners when we think these services might be useful to our visitors. We may receive compensation when a user decides to leverage these services, but making them available does not influence the medical content our editorial staff provides.

What side effects can I expect from OTC menstrual cramp treatments?

There are different possible side effects depending on the OTC menstrual cramp medication you choose. Below are side effects that may occur with the pain relievers discussed above. Each medication has its own risks and interactions. So be sure to discuss them with your healthcare provider or pharmacist before taking it.

Acetaminophen

Side effects aren’t common with acetaminophen. But this medication can be hard on the liver. Taking more acetaminophen than recommended or taking it for long periods of time can cause liver damage.

If you experience yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice), right-sided stomach pain, or nausea after starting acetaminophen, contact your healthcare provider. These are potential signs of liver damage.

NSAIDs

Common side effects of NSAIDs include:

More serious NSAID side effects include:

Your risk of serious side effects is greater with higher doses and long-term use of NSAIDs.

Is one OTC medication better than the others?

Since there are so many OTC products available, you might be wondering which to choose. This depends on what symptoms you have and side effects you’re looking to avoid.

If you only have menstrual cramps, then a combination product might not be needed. In this case, an individual pain reliever, such as ibuprofen, naproxen, or acetaminophen, can be considered. If you’re looking to take the lowest number of pills per day, naproxen might be the right choice as it lasts longer than other OTC pain relievers.

If you have other symptoms besides cramps, such as bloating or fatigue, a combination product may be better. This way you can treat all your symptoms with a single product.

Some combination products contain caffeine. This is the same caffeine that’s in caffeinated drinks, like coffee and tea. So it could keep you awake if you take it too close to bedtime. On the other hand, products that contain an antihistamine could cause drowsiness. So keep that in mind if you’re looking for a product that you can take during the day.

When should I see a healthcare provider for menstrual cramps?

If OTC options haven’t relieved your menstrual cramps, you may need a prescription medication. If this is the case, speak to your healthcare provider about the painful symptoms that happen around the time of your period.

They may recommend hormonal medications, such as birth control pills. They could also recommend another treatment option that doesn’t use medications. 

If these don't relieve your pain, your healthcare provider may conduct an exam to check for other reasons for the pain.

The bottom line

Menstrual cramps may range from annoying to quite painful. There are many OTC options to choose from when it comes to treating menstrual cramps. Some products contain a pain reliever by itself. Others have a pain reliever combined with other medications.

If OTC menstrual cramp medications don’t seem to help, reach out to your healthcare provider. They can work with you to find a better option for treating your pain.

GoodRx Health has strict sourcing policies and relies on primary sources such as medical organizations, governmental agencies, academic institutions, and peer-reviewed scientific journals. Learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate, thorough, and unbiased by reading our editorial guidelines.

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