Women typically experience extreme pain during their menstrual cycle, necessitating the use of medications. People frequently choose Midol or a similar medication.
People may frequently feel pain from overuse injuries to their muscles, deep cuts that itch throughout their bodies, or from jogging too much. In such cases, pain relievers like Advil and Paracetamol are administered.
While Midol has active chemicals that can treat more of your monthly symptoms, Advil is meant to ease mild to moderate pain, including toothache, migraine, and period pain. It can ease bloating, cramping, exhaustion, and water retention.
Although painkillers alleviate pain, if their unique functions are carefully examined, they can be found to differ. Each painkiller targets a specific organ or disease, though some treat several.
Keep reading to learn more about Midol and Advil in detail and to understand their benefits, side effects, and differences extensively.
What Is Midol?
Midol (Ibuprofen) is an ingredient in the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication Midol. It functions by preventing your body from producing molecules that cause inflammation.
This pill alleviates pain or inflammation induced by minor injuries, arthritis, menstrual cramps, headaches, backaches, and toothaches.
It must be taken exactly as your doctor has advised. This tablet overdose might result in liver failure or perhaps death.
For adults and children over the age of 12, 6 pills of Midol per day is the recommended dosage.
Midol’s effects continue for roughly 6 to 8 hours. For prolonged comfort, it is therefore advised to take the tablet every 6 hours.
Side Effects Of Midol
If you take too many of these little pills of Midol, it can kill you or cause liver failure. Don’t take any additional medications that include APAP; just take the prescribed dosage.
Possible side effects of Midol include:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Dizziness
- Internal Bleeding
- Headache
Does Midol Help With Period Cramps?
By preventing the formation of prostaglandins, Midol reduces menstrual cramps.
Menstrual cramps are brought on by uterine contractions caused by these chemicals. Ibuprofen, a component of Midol, is used to relieve aches and pains brought on by menstrual cramps.
In addition to relieving period discomfort, it can last up to 6 hours. For up to 8 hours, Midol Long-Lasting Relief can relieve period discomfort.
Take two Midol caplets with water as needed every eight hours; do not take more than six caplets per day.
What Is Advil?
Advil works by stopping the body from producing a chemical that promotes inflammation, treating fever, swelling, pain, and redness. It is a particular class of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication.
Advil has an impact on the body’s cyclooxygenase pathway, which is a mechanism involved in inflammation. The COX pathway aids in the production of chemicals that contribute to fevers, discomfort, and edema.
Advil reduces temperature, discomfort, and edema by preventing COX-1 and COX-2 from operating throughout the body. Direct effects of Advil on the COX pathway.
For most adults, 1,200 mg of OTC Advil daily maximum is advised. For some medical disorders, such as rheumatoid arthritis, a doctor may recommend higher doses of Advil.
Possible Side Effects Of Advil
Taking too many dosages of Advil can lead to the following side effects:
- Upset Stomach
- Dizziness
- Heart Burn
Advil makes stomach discomfort worse. As was already said, Advil’s primary target is the COX pathway because it directly affects the COX enzymes.
The kidneys are worsened by it. The protective lining of the stomach contains COX-1, as was previously described. The function of COX-1 in the kidneys’ production of urine is also important. This aids in the body’s elimination of waste.
Ibuprofen and other NSAIDs may raise blood pressure if used for an extended period of time (hypertension). This could make some medicine used to treat high blood pressure less effective.
What Is The Difference Between Midol And Advil?
Advil and Midol are NSAIDS since they are members of the ibuprofen family. These are well-known analgesics that reduce discomfort, fever, and inflammation.
While Midol is an analgesic medicine that treats minor pain and is typically used for premenstrual syndrome, Advil is recognized for its anti-inflammatory characteristics that reduce pain and inflammation.
Advil seems to have a few side effects; however, Midol tends to have a higher likelihood of them.
Body ache-causing COX enzymes are directly impacted by Advil, whereas Midol works by preventing your body from making certain naturally occurring compounds that induce inflammation.
Let’s take a closer look at the table below which summarizes the difference between Midol and Advil.
| Difference | Midol | Advil |
| Usage | Reduce Inflammation | Menstrual Pain |
| Availability | Over the Counter | Prescription and Over the Counter |
| Dependency | No | Yes |
| Drug Class | Analgesic | Non-Steroidal and Anti-Inflammatory |
| Side Effects | Nausea and Headache | Upset Stomach and Heart Burn |
Which Is Better Midol Or Advil?
Both Advil and Midol are analgesics that treat various types of pain and are uniquely different from one another.
225 users have rated Advil on a scale of 0 to 10, with an average rating of 7.3. 20% of reviewers noted a negative effect, while 63% noted a favorable one. A total of 3 ratings for Midol have resulted in an average rating of 5.0 out of 10.
Advil is frequently prescribed to alleviate minor pain caused by inflammation, fever, and other conditions, whereas Midol is given to women to ease menstrual cramps. Advil, therefore, is used by many to treat common pain symptoms.
Why Is Midol Not Helping With Period Cramps?
Some women have severe and more frequent cramps during the first day or two of menstruation because they produce more prostaglandins or are more sensitive to them than other women, or they may find that the typical painkillers don’t work.
Your doctor may prescribe stronger variations of NSAIDs like Advil or Naproxen if OTC medications don’t help you.
Medications function best when used as soon as symptoms appear and for the first day or two of your period. Birth control tablets also lessen cramping and heavy bleeding during the menstrual cycle.
Try using a heating pad or portable heat pack or wrap as a natural remedy. Heat aids in the relaxation of muscles and functions in mysterious ways as an analgesic.
Alternatives To Midol And Advil
Tylenol
Tylenol works best for fever, aches, and pains, but it won’t help much if the pain is brought on by inflammation.
When inflammation is the source of these symptoms, Advil is more effective than Tylenol. Examples of inflammation include arthritis and menstruation pains.
Tylenol’s adverse effects can include anemia, a decrease in platelets in the blood, hypersensitivity reactions, skin reactions, renal damage, and kidney problems.
Tylenor has been demonstrated to be safe for mothers who are expecting or nursing. Although it is not advised, Advil is safe for breastfeeding mothers.
Pamprin
Pamprin is used to alleviate the bloating, headache, cramping, and muscle pain associated with premenstrual syndrome.
In contrast to Pamprin, Midol is used to treat headaches, muscle pains, cramps, and exhaustion. Furthermore, bloating and water retention can be treated with it.
Both medications act by preventing the synthesis of prostaglandins, which are hormones released during pain and have a range of different functions in the body.
Conclusion
- Painkillers made specifically for PMS include Midol and Advil. These can ease the discomfort and make it easier for you to get through the day. They differ in terms of how they impact pain symptoms.
- Advil will be your first pick if you’re looking for the fastest pain and inflammation relief. But if you take into account the cost and the number of times you can take a painkiller, Midol is the best option.
- Advil is preferred more than other OTC medications since it is frequently used to relieve pain associated with fever, colds, and injuries, whereas Midol is typically prescribed for menstrual cramps.
- Everything is determined by a person’s preferences and level of suffering. If they can handle it at home, they don’t make much of an effort to go out and get OTC medication, but if it becomes intolerable, there is no other option than OTC painkillers to consider.