East Region Formulary
NHS Scotland

Dysmenorrhoea

Treatment of dysmenorrhoea
Paracetamol
Paracetamol 500mg tablets

Adults >50kg: 1g every 4-6 hours; max 4g daily.
Adults <50kg: 500mg every 4-6 hours.

Paracetamol 500mg soluble tablets

Adults >50kg: 1g every 4-6 hours; max 4g daily.
Adults <50kg: 500mg every 4-6 hours.

Paracetamol 250mg/5ml oral suspension sugar free

Adults >50kg: 1g every 4-6 hours; max 4g daily.
Adults <50kg: 500mg every 4-6 hours.

Paracetamol 250mg suppositories

Adults >50kg: 1g every 4-6 hours; max 4g daily.
Adults <50kg: 500mg every 4-6 hours.

Paracetamol 500mg suppositories

Adults >50kg: 1g every 4-6 hours; max 4g daily.
Adults <50kg: 500mg every 4-6 hours.

Ibuprofen
Ibuprofen 200mg tablets

Initially 200-400mg 3-4 times daily; increased if necessary up to 600mg 4 times a day; maintenance dose of 200-400mg 3 times a day may be adequate.

Ibuprofen 400mg tablets

Initially 200-400mg 3-4 times daily; increased if necessary up to 600mg 4 times a day; maintenance dose of 200-400mg 3 times a day may be adequate.

Ibuprofen 600mg tablets

Initially 200-400mg 3-4 times daily; increased if necessary up to 600mg 4 times a day; maintenance dose of 200-400mg 3 times a day may be adequate.

Ibuprofen 100mg/5ml oral suspension sugar free

Initially 200-400mg 3-4 times daily; increased if necessary up to 600mg 4 times a day; maintenance dose of 200-400mg 3 times a day may be adequate.

Prescribing Notes:

  • For optimal effect, regular analgesics should be initiated just before anticipated onset of menstruation.
  • If contraception is required, then combined oral contraceptives should be considered since they may prevent the pain of dysmenorrhoea.
  • Patients with menorrhagia and also with dysmenorrhoea should be prescribed NSAIDs in preference to tranexamic acid.

History Notes

18/05/2022

East Region Formulary content agreed.