Period Pain Medication
Treatment Guide

This treatment plan reviews the risks and benefits of the treatment we are recommending. Please make sure to read it and the manufacturer's pamphlet that comes with the medicine. The manufacturer's pamphlet contains full information on potential medication interactions, side effects, and other important information you should know about the medicine before you start.

Instructions

You have stated that you wish to obtain treatment for management of menstrual cycle pain with prescriptive Ibuprofen 600mg. Take 1 600mg tablet of Ibuprofen every 6 hours (4 times a day) starting one day before your anticipated menstrual cycle and for the first 2 days of your menstrual cycle.

Women with painful cycles without alternative causes have high levels of prostaglandins, hormones known to cause cramping abdominal pain. Ibuprofen, a type of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) acts by blocking prostaglandin production. To avoid stomach irritation, it's best to take Ibuprofen with food. Research shows that 45-53% of women find moderate or excellent pain relief with NSAIDs like Ibuprofen.

We are providing prescriptive Ibuprofen to help manage your symptoms. If you continue to experience symptoms, please follow up with your healthcare provider. Chronic issues can require ongoing care, and it’s important to keep your provider informed to ensure you receive the best possible treatment.

Allergies

This medicine, like all medications, may cause an allergic reaction if you are allergic to similar medicines or components. If you are allergic to any of the following please do not take the medicine and call or message us or see your doctor in person.

• Ibuprofen
• Advil
• Other NSAID allergies:
  • Aspirin
  • Naproxen
  • Ketoprofen
  • Oxaprozin
  • Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
  • Indomethacin
  • Diclofenac
  • Ketorolac
  • Meloxicam
    
    

Conditions

We have evaluated your health history and the specific health information you provided us, however if anything changes and you develop one of these conditions, please stop taking this medicine and call or message us immediately.

• Pregnancy
• Unevaluated menstrual bleeding
• Heavy or prolonged bleeding
• Cancer of the uterus, ovary, or fallopian tubes
• Kidney disease
• Liver disease (not including non-alcoholic fatty liver disease)
• Gastrointestinal disease including:
  • History or active Inflammatory Bowel Disease
  • History or active gastrointestinal ulcers
  • History or active gastrointestinal hemorrhage
  • History or active gastrointestinal perforation
  • History or active gastritis
• Cardiovascular disease
• Surgical history of coronary artery bypass graft
• History of a stroke
• History of a blood clot
• History of a blood clotting disorder
  
  

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Use of NSAIDs, including ibuprofen, close to conception has been associated with an increased risk of miscarriage. Some studies have suggested a potential link between NSAID use during pregnancy and birth defects. However, data on this topic is conflicting, and more research is needed to fully understand these risks. NSAID use, particularly in the third trimester, may cause the premature closure of the ductus arteriosus, a blood vessel in the fetal heart that is crucial for proper circulation before birth. This can lead to serious complications for the fetus. You should stop this medication immediately if you become pregnant and speak with your healthcare provider.

Ibuprofen is deemed compatible with breastfeeding by health organizations and has a high safety profile due to its low levels in breastmilk. It is a preferred choice and suitable for pain management. It is advised to avoid NSAIDs if the infant has certain health conditions, such as platelet dysfunction or specific heart issues.

Medicines, Supplements, and Foods

We have evaluated the specific health information you provided us, however if you are taking any of the medicines, foods, or supplements listed below call or message us before you take the medicine. Some of these can cause dangerous interactions with the medicine we are prescribing you and we will help you evaluate that risk and decide on an appropriate treatment plan. Please ensure your chart is up to date with your current medications, allergies, and medical conditions so your provider can safely treat you as this list may not be all inclusive.

• Aspirin
• Anticoagulants
• Chronic steroid use
  
  

Emergency Side Effects

This medicine can cause dangerous and potentially life-threatening side effects. If any of the emergency side effects listed in the manufacturer’s pamphlet or those below happen to you please stop taking the medicine and call 911 or seek immediate medical help in person.

• Sudden onset of chest pain
• Shortness of breath
• Difficulty or painful swallowing
• Severe skin rash and/or itching
• Facial or throat swelling
• Blurred vision
• Severe bloody diarrhea
• New onset heart failure
• Exacerbation of high blood pressure
• Gastrointestinal perforation, hemorrhage, and ulcers
• Changes in heartbeat (too fast, too slow, fluttering, etc.)
  
  

Other Side Effects

This medicine can also cause other side effects including (this list is not all inclusive):

• Decreased hemoglobin
• Swelling
• Abdominal cramping and discomfort
• Bloating
• Constipation
• Decreased appetite
• Diarrhea
• Heartburn
• Passing gas
• Nausea
• Nausea and vomiting
• Dizziness
• Headache
• Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
  
  

Risks

Accurate Information

We have evaluated your health history and your specific health information you provided and determined it is safe to proceed with this treatment at this time. If your health history changes including diagnoses or medications please message or call us before you take the medicine to ensure it's safe to proceed. Some medications and conditions can cause dangerous interactions with the medicine we are prescribing and we will help you evaluate that risk and decide on an appropriate treatment plan.

Treatment Failure

This treatment is not guaranteed to be effective. It may not work or may only partially resolve the condition for which you are seeking treatment. If the treatment is not working, or if you are experiencing new or worsening symptoms, give us a call or message us anytime. If it is an emergency, call 911 or seek immediate medical help in person. You may need to seek alternative treatment such as those listed below or in the follow up plan.

Misdiagnosis or Delayed Diagnosis.

Through telehealth, there is also a risk that we misdiagnose or fail to diagnose conditions that you may have which could affect our recommendation for treatment. This risk exists with a doctor in person as well but they may have additional resources to aid their evaluation. We use evidence-based practice and guidelines as well as clinical decision-making to minimize these risks.

Accepting or Declining Our Recommendation

We have based our recommendation on your specific case and medical guidelines, but there may be alternative treatments or strategies that may be helpful to you. Some may be more or less effective than what we provide. Some treatments may require an in-person exam or procedure which we can’t provide. Message us or talk to your doctor in person to discuss alternative treatments.

Share with Your In-Person Healthcare Team

You can access your records anytime. We strongly recommend that you update your in-person doctor, pharmacist, and the rest of your healthcare team to let them know about any new medicines you are taking or other changes in your health.

You can also ask us questions anytime and we are happy to help you share any information about your health with your in-person healthcare team.