Midol Dosages: Your GoodRx Guide

If you’re looking for an over-the-counter (OTC) remedy for menstrual period relief, you might be considering Midol. It’s a brand name for a line of products used to treat period symptoms like bloating, cramps, and fatigue.

Since there are several Midol products available, it’s important to know how to take the one you select. So let’s take a look at typical Midol dosages.

What’s the typical Midol dosage for adults?

Midol isn’t one medication. Rather, it’s a line of OTC products used for period symptom relief, each with a generic version available. Each product contains slightly different medications meant to treat various symptoms.

The typical Midol dosage for adults depends on the product you select. So it’s important to read the OTC medicine label carefully to find the list of ingredients and how to take it.

Midol Complete

Midol Complete comes as oral caplets. Each caplet contains:

• 500 mg of acetaminophen (a pain reliever)

• 60 mg of caffeine (to help combat fatigue and relieve bloating)

• 15 mg of pyrilamine maleate (an antihistamine that may help with fatigue or bloating)

The adult Midol Complete dosage is 2 caplets by mouth with water every 6 hours as needed. But don’t take more than 6 caplets in 24 hours.

Midol Complete Caffeine Free

Midol Complete Caffeine Free may be an option if you wish to avoid caffeine. Each caplet contains:

• 500 mg of acetaminophen

• 25 mg of pamabrom (a mild diuretic to help relieve bloating)

• 15 mg of pyrilamine maleate

The adult Midol Complete Caffeine Free dosage is 2 caplets by mouth with water every 6 hours as needed. Don’t take more than 6 caplets in 24 hours.

Midol Bloat Relief

Midol Bloat Relief only contains one medication: 50 mg of pamabrom per caplet. It’s labeled only for symptoms of water weight gain or bloating due to menstrual periods.

The adult Midol Bloat Relief dosage is 1 caplet by mouth with water every 6 hours if needed. Don’t take more than 4 caplets in 24 hours.

Midol Long Lasting Relief

Midol Long Lasting Relief also contains a single medication: 650 mg of acetaminophen. This product treats painful period symptoms, such as backache, headache, and cramps.

The adult Midol Long Lasting Relief dosage is 2 caplets by mouth with water every 8 hours as needed. Don't take more than 6 caplets in 24 hours.

What’s the typical Midol dosage for children?

Adolescents 12 years of age and older can follow the adult dosages for Midol products described above. For children younger than 12, contact your healthcare provider for recommendations on how to manage period symptoms.

Midol Teen

Midol previously sold a product containing acetaminophen and pamabrom, marketed as Midol Teen. Although Midol no longer makes this product, you can still find generic versions of it. It’s recommended for adolescents ages 12 years and older. Each tablet contains 325 mg of acetaminophen and 25 mg of pamabrom.

The dosage for generic Midol Teen is 2 tablets every 4 to 6 hours as needed. Don’t take more than 8 tablets in 24 hours.

Are there any dosage adjustments for medical conditions?

Midol is safe for most people to take. But there are some instances where you should speak to your healthcare provider first. Talk to your provider about Midol products if you:

• Take other medications that contain acetaminophen

• Have liver disease

• Have glaucoma

• Have a breathing problem, such as emphysema or chronic bronchitis

• Take warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven)

• Take medications that causes drowsiness, such as sleep aids

• Drink three or more alcoholic drinks per day

• Have kidney stones

• Follow a diet that limits the amount of calcium you consume

• Have had an allergic reaction to any of the ingredients of Midol in the past

What happens if you miss a dose of Midol?

Midol products are typically taken as needed when you’re having period symptoms. So missed doses shouldn’t be a problem. But it’s important to wait the minimum amount of time between each dose, usually 6 hours. However, this time may vary between products, so be sure to read the label on your selected Midol product carefully.

What should you do if you take too much Midol?

Taking too much Midol raises your risk of side effects. The types of side effects you could experience depend on which Midol product you’re taking. In severe cases, too much Midol could be harmful, particularly with products containing acetaminophen. Large amounts of acetaminophen can lead to liver failure, which can be fatal.

Be sure to speak to your pharmacist before combining Midol with other pain relief or OTC period relief products. Many products contain the same or similar medications. This could raise your risk of an unintended overdose.

If you suspect that you or someone you know has taken too much Midol, contact a healthcare provider, or call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222. If anything seems severe or life-threatening, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.

How to save on Midol

There are many ways to save on Midol, which is available as both brand-name and generic medications. By having your healthcare provider write a prescription for OTC Midol, GoodRx can help you save. Generic Midol's price at certain pharmacies is as low as $4.83 with a free GoodRx discount.

The manufacturer of Midol also provides a coupon for $1 off any brand-name Midol products. Just print this coupon and present it at the register while checking out.

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Written by:

Nicole E. Cieri-Hutcherson, PharmD, BCPS, NCMP

Nicole E. Cieri-Hutcherson, PharmD, BCPS, NCMP, has over a decade of experience as a pharmacist, professor, and researcher. She was a full-time clinical professor in the pharmacy practice department at D’Youville School of Pharmacy before subsequently joining the faculty of the pharmacy practice department at the University at Buffalo School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences.

Edited by:

Christina Aungst, PharmD

Christina Aungst, PharmD, is a pharmacy editor for GoodRx. She began writing for GoodRx Health in 2019, transitioning from freelance writer to editor in 2021.

Reviewed by:

Tegan Smedley, PharmD, APh

Tegan Smedley, PharmD, APh, has 10 years of experience as a pharmacist. She has worked in a variety of settings, including retail, hospital, and ambulatory care.

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