6 Side Effects of Pamprin for Menstrual Pain Relief - GoodRx (2024)

Menstrual periods can cause uncomfortable or painful symptoms. Some of the most common are cramps, bloating, and fatigue. There are several over-the counter (OTC) menstrual relief products that can help relieve these unpleasant symptoms. Pamprin is a common choice.

But Pamprin isn’t just one medication. It’s a brand name for a line of products. Of these, Pamprin Multi-Symptom (acetaminophen / pamabrom / pyrilamine) is a popular option.

Knowing what to expect after taking Pamprin is essential to taking it safely. This includes being aware of potential side effects. Because different Pamprin products contain different active ingredients, side effects can vary. Your pharmacist is an excellent resource for more details about the Pamprin product you’re considering.

Note: Below, we focus on side effects for Pamprin Multi-Symptom. But for ease of reading, we’ll use the term “Pamprin” to refer to it throughout this article.

Pamprin side effects at a glance

Pamprin side effects typically are mild and resolve on their own. If you experience any severe side effects, you should stop taking it and contact your healthcare provider.

Common Pamprin side effects include:

• Drowsiness

• Dizziness

• Dry mouth

• Constipation

• Increased urination

Rare but serious side effects include:

• Excessive drowsiness or dizziness

• Worsening of glaucoma

• Liver damage

• Trouble urinating

Below, we’ll cover six of these Pamprin side effects in more detail.

1. Drowsiness

Drowsiness is a common Pamprin side effect. It happens because of the pyrilamine component. Pyrilamine is a first-generation antihistamine, similar to diphenhydramine (Benadryl). These antihistamines cause drowsiness because they pass into the brain after you take a dose.

Drowsiness from Pamprin should only last for a few hours after you take a dose. But keep in mind that drowsiness and fatigue commonly accompany menstrual periods. So it can be hard to tell if Pampin is causing this symptom or not.

Taking Pamprin in the evening or at bedtime can help prevent daytime sleepiness. But if you do need to take it during the day, you may want to avoid driving or other tasks that require alertness.

You shouldn’t take Pamprin if you take other medications that cause drowsiness, such as opioids. You should also avoid taking other oral antihistamines or drinking alcohol while taking Pamprin. These combinations can worsen drowsiness, possibly to a dangerous degree.

If drowsiness becomes too bothersome, ask your pharmacist about alternatives. There are menstrual cramp relief products available that don’t contain antihistamines.

2. Dizziness

Dizziness is another common Pamprin side effect caused by pyrilamine. Similar to drowsiness, dizziness should be fast-passing and resolve within a few hours. You may be more prone to this side effect if you have other health conditions that cause dizziness, such as Ménière’s disease, a disorder of the inner ear.

If you feel dizzy, find somewhere safe to sit or lie down. And be careful when changing positions, such as standing up from a sitting position. Staying hydrated and eating a small meal or snack can sometimes improve dizziness.

If you experience severe dizziness, contact your healthcare provider. This isn’t a typical Pamprin side effect, and it should be evaluated.

3. Dry mouth

Dry mouth is another Pamprin side effect caused by — you guessed it, pyrilamine. Antihistamines such as pyrilamine block a chemical in the body called acetylcholine. When medications block acetylcholine, they can cause a group of side effects known as anticholinergic side effects. Dry mouth is a common anticholinergic side effect.

As with other Pamprin side effects, dry mouth should be mild and resolve as the medication wears off. Some at-home tips to relieve dry mouth include drinking more fluids and sucking on ice chips or sugar-free candy. If these remedies don’t work, stop taking Pamprin and contact your healthcare provider to discuss next steps.

4. Constipation

Constipation is another example of an anticholinergic side effect you may experience while taking Pamprin. As with dry mouth, pyrilamine is the cause of this side effect.

If you tend to experience diarrhea during your period, less frequent bathroom trips may be a welcome side effect. But it can become uncomfortable if your constipation continues or your stools become hard to pass. Stopping Pamprin should relieve constipation.

Other ways to relieve constipation include:

• Increasing water or fluid intake

• Increasing fiber intake

• Exercising if you can (this can also help relieve cramps)

• Trying an OTC constipation medication, such as a laxative or stool softener

Let your healthcare provider know if these tips don’t seem to help or if your constipation continues for more than a few days after stopping Pamprin.

5. Changes to urination

Pamprin can change how you urinate (pee). Usually, it makes you urinate more often. But in rare cases, Pamprin may make it more difficult to urinate.

More urination

Pamprin contains pamabrom, a mild diuretic (“water pill”). Pamabrom helps relieve bloating. But this extra fluid leaves your body through your urine. So you may need to urinate a bit more than usual while you’re taking Pamprin.

This Pamprin side effect is common. It should be mild and go away once the medication wears off. If this side effect is bothersome, ask your pharmacist about other menstrual cramp products. There are alternatives that don’t include a diuretic.

Trouble urinating

Trouble urinating (urinary retention) is a serious Pamprin side effect. Rarely, antihistamines such as pyrilamine can make it harder to urinate.

Most people don’t experience this Pamprin side effect. But some people may have a greater risk. This includes people with certain health conditions, such as uterine fibroids. Your risk may also be higher if you take other medications that can cause urinary retention, such as amitriptyline.

If you start having trouble urinating while taking Pamprin, contact your healthcare provider. Urinary retention can be harmful and may require further treatment.

6. Liver damage

Liver damage is a rare but serious Pamprin side effect. It can happen because of Pamprin’s acetaminophen component. In most cases, taking acetaminophen isn’t harmful. And the risk of liver damage is low as long as you follow the recommended dosages on Pamprin’s label. But liver damage could happen if you take large doses of acetaminophen or take it chronically for a long time.

Acetaminophen is included in many different prescription and OTC medication products. So it can be easy to mistakenly take too much. Popular medications that contain acetaminophen include:

• Tylenol (acetaminophen)

• Excedrin Migraine (acetaminophen / aspirin / caffeine)

• Midol Complete (acetaminophen / caffeine / pyrilamine)

• Advil Dual Action (acetaminophen / ibuprofen)

• NyQuil (acetaminophen / dextromethorphan / doxylamine)

Before taking Pamprin, it’s a good idea to have your pharmacist review your medication list. They can make sure you’re not taking too much acetaminophen from other sources. You should also avoid drinking alcohol while taking Pamprin. This combination can raise your risk of liver damage.

If you believe or know you’ve taken too much Pamprin or acetaminophen, contact your healthcare provider. You can also contact Poison Control online or at 1-800-222-1222. Depending on how much total acetaminophen you’ve taken, you may need treatment in a healthcare setting to prevent liver damage.

When should I contact my healthcare provider about Pamprin side effects?

Mild Pamprin side effects typically can be managed at home or will resolve on their own. Stopping Pamprin should bring side effects to a halt. If it doesn’t, or your side effects seem severe, contact your healthcare provider. You can also reach out to them for general questions about Pamprin, even if you’re not currently experiencing side effects.

If you start having trouble urinating after taking Pamprin, contact your healthcare provider. Urinary retention is a serious Pamprin side effect that should be addressed right away. You should seek emergency help if you notice potential symptoms of liver damage, which can include:

• Yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice)

• Stomach pain or swelling

• Dark-colored urine

• Nausea and vomiting