Midol Side Effects: A Comprehensive Overview of Potential Risks

Midol is an over-the-counter naproxen medication used to treat symptoms of premenstrual syndrome. Despite its effectiveness, Midol poses a risk of side effects in some patients.

Common Side Effects

• Common side effects of Midol include ringing in the ears, heartburn, diarrhea, constipation, bloating, gas, dizziness, headaches, nervousness and blurred vision.

Drug Interactions

• When combined with blood thinners like Warfarin, Midol increases your risk of serious bleeding in your stomach. Antidepressants like Lexapro, Zoloft and Effexor cause easy bruising when taken with Midol.

Risks

• Some patients develop aseptic meningitis, a dangerous illness that causes swelling of the tissue that lines the brain and spinal cord while taking Midol. Others experience perforation of the intestines related to use of the drug.

Warning

• In some patients, use of Midol results in fatal heart attack or stroke. Women with a history of heart disease should not take Midol.

Considerations

• Smoking increases your risk of cardiovascular side effects from Midol. Because of potential complications, doctors do not recommend Midol for women who are pregnant.