Menstrual Pain

22 drugs · 14 OTC · 8 Prescription

Pain relief for period pain and menstrual cramps

When to see a doctor

Seek care if you notice any of the following

Your menstrual pain is so severe that you cannot move or walk.
You have heavy bleeding that soaks through more than 2 pads or tampons per hour.
Your pain is accompanied by a fever above 38°C (100.4°F) or chills.
You experience severe vomiting that prevents you from keeping fluids down.
Your menstrual pain lasts for more than 3 days without any relief.

For guidance only: always consult a qualified healthcare provider.

Painkiller

NSAID: Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug

Aceclofenac

Prescription

Body pain, joint pain, arthritis (joint swelling and stiffness), back pain, toothache, muscle pain, menstrual pain, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis

23 Nigerian brands

Mefenamic Acid

OTC

Menstrual pain (period pain), headache, toothache, body pain, muscle pain, joint pain, mild to moderate fever, pain after surgery or injury

3 Nigerian brands

Painkiller and anti-inflammatory

NSAID + Analgesic combination

Aceclofenac; Paracetamol

Prescription

Body pain, joint pain, back pain, toothache, headache, muscle pain, arthritis (joint swelling and stiffness), menstrual pain, fever with body aches

6 Nigerian brands

Diclofenac Sodium; Paracetamol

OTC

Body pain, joint pain, back pain, toothache, headache, muscle pain, menstrual cramps (period pain), pain after surgery, arthritis, fever with body pain

13 Nigerian brands

Diclofenac; Paracetamol

Prescription

Body pain, joint pain, back pain, toothache, headache, muscle pain, menstrual pain (period pain), arthritis, mild to moderate pain with swelling, post-surgery pain, fever

4 Nigerian brands

Ibuprofen; Paracetamol

OTC

Headache, body pain, toothache, menstrual pain (period pain), back pain, muscle pain, joint pain, fever, cold and flu symptoms, mild arthritis pain

5 Nigerian brands

Painkiller and stimulant combination

analgesic

Acetylsalicylic acid; Caffeine

OTC

Headache, body pain, toothache, muscle pain, joint pain, menstrual pain (period pain), mild fever, back pain

5 Nigerian brands

Painkiller and fever reducer

analgesic/antipyretic combination

Acetylsalicylic Acid; Paracetamol; Caffeine

OTC

Headache, body pain, toothache, muscle pain, menstrual cramps, joint pain, mild fever, cold and flu symptoms

2 Nigerian brands

Painkiller and anti-inflammatory

Celecoxib

Prescription

Joint pain (arthritis), body pain, swelling and stiffness in joints, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, menstrual pain, acute pain from injuries or surgery

16 Nigerian brands

Painkiller and Anti-inflammatory

NSAID: Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug

Diclofenac Potassium

OTC

Body pain, headache, toothache, menstrual pain (period pain), joint pain, arthritis, muscle pain, back pain, mild to moderate pain after surgery, swelling and inflammation

145 Nigerian brands

Painkiller and anti-inflammatory

NSAID + analgesic combination

Diclofenac Potassium; Paracetamol

OTC

Body pain, joint pain, back pain, toothache, headache, menstrual pain (period pain), muscle pain, mild arthritis pain, fever, pain after minor surgery

3 Nigerian brands

Painkiller / Anti-inflammatory

Relieves pain and reduces inflammation

Diclofenac Sodium

OTC

Body pain, joint pain, arthritis (stiff and painful joints), back pain, toothache, menstrual pain (period pain), muscle pain, swelling after injury or surgery, gout

12 Nigerian brands

Naproxen

Prescription

Body pain, joint pain, arthritis, back pain, menstrual pain (period cramps), headache, toothache, muscle pain, swelling, mild to moderate fever, gout

5 Nigerian brands

Progestogen

Hormonal treatment

Dienogest

Prescription

Endometriosis (a condition where tissue from the womb grows outside it, causing serious period pain, heavy bleeding, and difficulty getting pregnant)

1 Nigerian brand

Antispasmodic

Relaxes muscles and stops cramps

Hyoscine Butylbromide

OTC

Stomach cramps, menstrual pain (period pain), abdominal pain, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), bloating, intestinal spasms, kidney stone pain, bladder cramps

15 Nigerian brands

Painkiller / Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug

Relieves pain and reduces inflammation

Ibuprofen

OTC

Headache, body pain, toothache, menstrual pain (period pain), joint pain, back pain, muscle pain, fever, mild arthritis, and swelling

82 Nigerian brands

Painkiller

analgesic / anti-inflammatory combination

Ibuprofen; Paracetamol; Caffeine

OTC

Headache, body pain, toothache, menstrual pain (period pain), muscle pain, joint pain, backache, fever, cold and flu symptoms

10 Nigerian brands

NSAID / Strong Painkiller

Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug

Indometacin

Prescription

Severe joint pain, arthritis, rheumatism, gout pain, back pain, muscle and bone pain, swelling of joints, menstrual pain, body pain that doesn't respond to milder painkillers

2 Nigerian brands

Painkiller

Ketoprofen

Prescription

Body pain, joint pain, arthritis, back pain, muscle pain, menstrual pain (period pain), toothache, pain after surgery, swelling and inflammation

4 Nigerian brands

Painkiller and Fever Reducer

Analgesic/Antipyretic

Paracetamol

OTC

Fever, headache, body pain, toothache, menstrual pain, joint pain, cold and flu symptoms, pain after surgery, malaria-related fever

99 Nigerian brands

Painkiller and fever reducer

analgesic/antipyretic with caffeine adjuvant

Paracetamol; Caffeine

OTC

Headache, body pain, toothache, menstrual pain (period pain), muscle aches, fever, cold and flu symptoms, mild to moderate pain

28 Nigerian brands

NSAID: Painkiller and anti-inflammatory

Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug

Piroxicam

OTC

Joint pain, arthritis, body pain, back pain, muscle pain, swelling of joints, menstrual pain, gout, pain after surgery or injury

41 Nigerian brands