acetaminophen / caffeine / pyrilamine
Midol Complete is a combination of three medications: acetaminophen (an analgesic), caffeine (a diuretic, or water pill), and pyrilamine (an antihistamine). It's used to treat symptoms related to menstrual periods. Midol Complete is available over the counter (OTC) and as a lower-cost generic. Side effects can include dry mouth, dizziness, and fast heart rate.
What is Midol Complete?
What is Midol Complete used for?
Short-term relief of symptoms associated with menstrual periods:
- Cramps
- Headache
- Bloating
- Weight gain from too much fluid in your body
- Muscle aches
- Backache
- Fatigue
How Midol Complete works
Midol Complete is a combination of three medications that work together to relieve symptoms of menstrual periods.
- Acetaminophen is an analgesic. The exact way it works is unknown, but it's thought to lower pain and aches in your body by acting on the brain and spinal cord.
- Caffeine is a diuretic or water pill. It helps your kidneys make and release more urine. This helps remove extra fluid in your body (such as with bloating).
- Pyrilamine is an antihistamine that blocks a natural substance in your body called histamine. By blocking histamine, pyrilamine decreases swelling.
Drug facts
Side effects of Midol Complete
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
- Drowsiness
- Dizziness
- Fast heart rate
- Dry mouth
Less Common Side Effects
- Constipation
- Changes in urination
- Nervousness
- Irritability
Midol Complete serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Severe dehydration: dry mouth, not urinating as much, lightheadedness, dizziness
- Liver damage: severe stomach pain, yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite
- Taking too much medication: dehydration, seizures, hallucinations, confusion, vision changes
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Pros and cons of Midol Complete
Pros
- Can treat a wide variety of menstrual period symptoms
- Available as a lower-cost generic
- More convenient to take three medications in one pill
- Available over-the-counter
Cons
- Might need to take multiple times a day when you have symptoms
- Can cause liver damage when combined with alcohol or too much acetaminophen
- More difficult to customize the dose since it's a combination of three medications
Pharmacist tips for Midol Complete
- You can take Midol Complete with or without food. If it upsets your stomach, try taking the medication with food.
- Midol Complete contains caffeine (which can keep you awake) and pyrilamine (which can make you sleepy). See how the medication affects your sleep. If it makes you sleepy or dizzy during the day, it can affect your ability to focus, think, or react. Don't drive until you know how the medication affects you.
- Stop using Midol Complete and contact your provider if you experience pain that worsens or lasts more than 10 days; fever that gets worse or lasts more than 3 days; redness or swelling; or any new symptoms. These might be signs that you need more medical attention.
- Tell your provider or pharmacist about all the medications you're taking, especially if you're taking warfarin (Coumadin) or medications that make you sleepy. Your providers can make sure Midol Complete is safe for you to take.
- Don't start any new medications while you're taking Midol Complete without talking to your provider or pharmacist first. In particular, be aware of other medications that have acetaminophen, diuretics (water pills), or antihistamines. Taking these medications with Midol Complete can raise your risk of overdose and severe side effects, including liver damage, sleepiness, and dizziness.
Common questions about Midol Complete
It's best to limit how many drinks with caffeine you consume while taking Midol Complete. This medication contains caffeine. Too much caffeine can lead to a racing heart, restlessness, irritability, headaches, trouble sleeping, and the need to urinate often. An 8-ounce cup of coffee has about 95 mg to 165 mg of caffeine, and each caplet of Midol Complete contains 60 mg of caffeine. With the typical dose of 2 caplets every 6 hours as needed, this means you could get up to 480 mg of caffeine per day from Midol Complete alone.
Avoid drinking alcohol while taking Midol Complete. This medication contains pyrilamine and acetaminophen. Drinking alcohol and taking pyrilamine at the same time can raise your risk for sleepiness and dizziness. Also, drinking alcohol and taking acetaminophen together isn't recommended either because doing so (especially on a regular basis) can raise your risk for liver problems.
If you're considering other pain medications to take in addition to Midol Complete, make sure you read the labels beforehand so you know what specific medications you're taking. Midol Complete contains acetaminophen, which is a common pain and fever medication that you can find over the counter. Acetaminophen is often found in combination medications for pain, the common cold, and the flu. For healthy adults, the maximum dose of acetaminophen is 4,000 mg in a day. But for people with certain health conditions, such as liver problems, the maximum recommended dose can be much lower. Taking too much acetaminophen can put you at risk for liver damage. If your pain isn't relieved by Midol Complete alone, ask your provider about other options to ease your symptoms.
Midol Complete is generally safe to take, but it's not the best choice for everyone. If you're taking other medications that make you sleepy, this medication can raise your risk for falls because of the antihistamine pyrilamine it contains. In addition, if you have certain medical conditions, such as liver problems, glaucoma, an enlarged prostate, or breathing problems, ask your provider if Midol Complete is safe for you.
Ask your provider whether it's safe to use Midol Complete if you don't get fluid buildup (e.g., bloating, water weight gain) during menstrual periods. Each caplet of Midol Complete contains 60 mg of caffeine. You can consume up to 480 mg of caffeine per day from the medication if you take the typical dose of 2 caplets every 6 hours. Caffeine is a mild diuretic, meaning that it can possibly make you urinate more to get rid of fluids in the body. But having more than 400 mg of caffeine per day might put you at risk for dehydration (low fluids in the body). You're risk is higher if you're already dehydrated to begin with. Speak to your provider about your symptoms so they can help you choose the best treatment option.
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Risks and warnings for Midol Complete
Midol Complete can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Liver damage
- Risk factors: Drinking 3 or more alcoholic beverages a day | Taking other medications containing acetaminophen | Taking too much Midol Complete | History of liver problems
Midol Complete contains acetaminophen, a common pain reliever. Taking too much acetaminophen can cause permanent and life-threatening liver damage. For most adults, the maximum amount of acetaminophen is 3 or 4 grams in a 24-hour period, depending on your provider's instructions. For children, ask your child's provider.
Speak to your provider before using Midol Complete if you have liver problems, since it can cause further damage to your liver. Avoid drinking alcohol while taking this medication to prevent harm to your liver.
Signs of liver problems include dark urine, feeling tired, upset stomach, stomach pain, or yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes. If you notice any of these symptoms, call your provider right away.
Accidental overdose
Midol Complete contains an analgesic (acetaminophen), diuretic (caffeine), and an antihistamine (pyrilamine), which can be found in many other over-the-counter and prescription products. Using more than one medication containing acetaminophen, a diuretic, and an antihistamine can lead to an accidental overdose and cause serious side effects. These serious side effects include liver failure, dehydration, distress, and possibly seizures.
Tell your provider or pharmacist about the medications you're taking before starting Midol Complete to make sure it's safe for you. Don't start any new medications while taking Midol Complete without talking to your provider or pharmacist. To prevent an accidental overdose, read package labels carefully. If you're not sure if a product has any similar ingredients, ask your pharmacist. If you or your loved one experiences an accidental overdose, get medical help right away or contact a poison control center at 1-800-222-1222.
Dehydration
- Risk factors: Already dehydrated
Midol Complete contains caffeine, which is a water pill that helps remove excess fluid in your body by making you urinate more often. Each caplet of Midol Complete contains 60 mg of caffeine, and you can get up to 480 mg of caffeine per day from the medication if you follow the typical dosing of 2 caplets every 6 hours. Having more than 400 mg of caffeine per day might put you at risk for dehydration (low fluids in the body). Contact your provider if you feel dehydrated (e.g., dry mouth, not urinating as much, lightheadedness, dizziness).
Worsening of medical conditions
- Risk factors: Liver problems | Glaucoma | Breathing problems (e.g., emphysema, long-term bronchitis) | Urinary or prostate conditions
Don't take Midol Complete if you have any of the risk factors listed above unless your provider said it's safe to do so. Taking Midol Complete can worsen your condition(s) and cause serious side effects. Make sure your provider knows about all medical conditions you have or have had in the past before starting Midol Complete.
Severe skin or severe allergic reactions
Although rare, Midol Complete can cause serious skin reactions, such as rash, blisters, skin reddening, or skin peeling. It's also possible to have an allergic reaction to the medication, including facial swelling and wheezing. If you notice unusual changes in your skin, swelling in the face, or trouble breathing, stop using Midol Complete and get medical attention right away.
Midol Complete dosage
Typical dosage for Midol Complete
Each caplet contains 500 mg of acetaminophen, 60 mg of caffeine, and 15 mg of pyrilamine.
- Adults and children 12 years and older: The typical dose is 2 caplets by mouth every 6 hours as needed. Don't take more than 6 caplets in a 24-hour period.
- Children under 12 years old: Ask your child's provider.
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How much does Midol Complete cost?
$9.24
What are alternatives to Midol Complete?
Short-term relief of symptoms associated with menstrual periods:
