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Medications for Period Pain (Dysmenorrhea)

Difficult and painful menstruation.

Drugs used to treat Period Pain

The following list of medications are in some way related to or used in the treatment of this condition.

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Drug name Rating Reviews Activity ? Rx/OTC Pregnancy CSA Alcohol
naproxen 8.3 125 reviews for naproxen to treat Period Pain
Rx/OTC C N X
Generic name:
naproxen systemic
Brand names:
Aleve, Naprosyn, Midol Extended Relief, Naprelan, Anaprox-DS, Aflaxen, All Day Pain Relief, All Day Relief, EC-Naprosyn, Flanax Pain Reliever
Drug class:
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
ibuprofen 7.7 46 reviews for ibuprofen to treat Period Pain
Rx/OTC C N X
Generic name:
ibuprofen systemic
Brand names:
Advil, Motrin, Advil Liqui-Gels, Motrin IB, IBU-200, Midol IB, Nuprin, Proprinal, A-G Profen, Addaprin, Advil Children's, Genpril
Drug class:
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
mefenamic acid 5.9 78 reviews for mefenamic acid to treat Period Pain
Rx C N X
Generic name:
mefenamic acid systemic
Drug class:
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Aleve 9.1 19 reviews for Aleve to treat Period Pain
Rx/OTC C N X
Generic name:
naproxen systemic
Drug class:
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
diclofenac 8.2 73 reviews for diclofenac to treat Period Pain
Rx D N X
Generic name:
diclofenac systemic
Brand names:
Cataflam, Voltaren, Lofena
Drug class:
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Advil 0.0 1 review for Advil to treat Period Pain
Rx/OTC C N X
Generic name:
ibuprofen systemic
Drug class:
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Motrin 9.0 3 reviews for Motrin to treat Period Pain
Rx/OTC C N X
Generic name:
ibuprofen systemic
Drug class:
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Celebrex 9.0 3 reviews for Celebrex to treat Period Pain
Rx C N
Generic name:
celecoxib systemic
Drug class:
cox-2 inhibitors
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Cataflam 8.1 27 reviews for Cataflam to treat Period Pain
Rx D N X
Generic name:
diclofenac systemic
Drug class:
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Naprosyn 7.0 1 review for Naprosyn to treat Period Pain
Rx/OTC C N X
Generic name:
naproxen systemic
Drug class:
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Advil Liqui-Gels 8.6 7 reviews for Advil Liqui-Gels to treat Period Pain
Rx/OTC C N X
Generic name:
ibuprofen systemic
Drug class:
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
celecoxib 9.0 4 reviews for celecoxib to treat Period Pain
Rx C N
Generic name:
celecoxib systemic
Brand name:
Celebrex
Drug class:
cox-2 inhibitors
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
ketoprofen 10 1 review for ketoprofen to treat Period Pain
Rx/OTC C N X
Generic name:
ketoprofen systemic
Drug class:
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Midol Extended Relief 9.5 2 reviews for Midol Extended Relief to treat Period Pain
Rx/OTC C N X
Generic name:
naproxen systemic
Drug class:
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
Motrin IB 7.0 2 reviews for Motrin IB to treat Period Pain
Rx/OTC C N X
Generic name:
ibuprofen systemic
Drug class:
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Voltaren 9.0 2 reviews for Voltaren to treat Period Pain
Rx D N X
Generic name:
diclofenac systemic
Drug class:
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
IBU-200 Rate Add review
Rx/OTC C N X
Generic name:
ibuprofen systemic
Drug class:
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
Midol IB Rate Add review
Rx/OTC C N X
Generic name:
ibuprofen systemic
Drug class:
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
Naprelan 10 1 review for Naprelan to treat Period Pain
Rx/OTC C N X
Generic name:
naproxen systemic
Drug class:
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Nuprin Rate Add review
Rx/OTC C N X
Generic name:
ibuprofen systemic
Drug class:
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
Proprinal Rate Add review
Rx/OTC C N X
Generic name:
ibuprofen systemic
Drug class:
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
A-G Profen Rate Add review
Rx/OTC C N X
Generic name:
ibuprofen systemic
Drug class:
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
Addaprin Rate Add review
Rx/OTC C N X
Generic name:
ibuprofen systemic
Drug class:
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
Advil Children's Rate Add review
Rx/OTC C N X
Generic name:
ibuprofen systemic
Drug class:
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Anaprox-DS 6.5 2 reviews for Anaprox-DS to treat Period Pain
Rx/OTC C N X
Generic name:
naproxen systemic
Drug class:
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects

Frequently asked questions

View more FAQ

Alternative treatments for Period Pain

The following products are considered to be alternative treatments or natural remedies for Period Pain. Their efficacy may not have been scientifically tested to the same degree as the drugs listed in the table above. However there may be historical, cultural or anecdotal evidence linking their use to the treatment of Period Pain.

Legend

Rating For ratings, users were asked how effective they found the medicine while considering positive/adverse effects and ease of use (1 = not effective, 10 = most effective).
Activity Activity is based on recent site visitor activity relative to other medications in the list.
Rx Prescription only.
OTC Over-the-counter.
Rx/OTC Prescription or Over-the-counter.
Off-label This medication may not be approved by the FDA for the treatment of this condition.
EUA An Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) allows the FDA to authorize unapproved medical products or unapproved uses of approved medical products to be used in a declared public health emergency when there are no adequate, approved, and available alternatives.
Expanded Access Expanded Access is a potential pathway for a patient with a serious or immediately life-threatening disease or condition to gain access to an investigational medical product (drug, biologic, or medical device) for treatment outside of clinical trials when no comparable or satisfactory alternative therapy options are available.
Pregnancy Category
A Adequate and well-controlled studies have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus in the first trimester of pregnancy (and there is no evidence of risk in later trimesters).
B Animal reproduction studies have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women.
C Animal reproduction studies have shown an adverse effect on the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use in pregnant women despite potential risks.
D There is positive evidence of human fetal risk based on adverse reaction data from investigational or marketing experience or studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use in pregnant women despite potential risks.
X Studies in animals or humans have demonstrated fetal abnormalities and/or there is positive evidence of human fetal risk based on adverse reaction data from investigational or marketing experience, and the risks involved in use in pregnant women clearly outweigh potential benefits.
N FDA has not classified the drug.
Controlled Substances Act (CSA) Schedule
M The drug has multiple schedules. The schedule may depend on the exact dosage form or strength of the medication.
U CSA Schedule is unknown.
N Is not subject to the Controlled Substances Act.
1 Has a high potential for abuse. Has no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. There is a lack of accepted safety for use under medical supervision.
2 Has a high potential for abuse. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States or a currently accepted medical use with severe restrictions. Abuse may lead to severe psychological or physical dependence.
3 Has a potential for abuse less than those in schedules 1 and 2. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to moderate or low physical dependence or high psychological dependence.
4 Has a low potential for abuse relative to those in schedule 3. It has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to limited physical dependence or psychological dependence relative to those in schedule 3.
5 Has a low potential for abuse relative to those in schedule 4. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to limited physical dependence or psychological dependence relative to those in schedule 4.
Alcohol
X Interacts with Alcohol.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.