Midol substitute?

I can't find Midol here, and as I try to find some substitute on the Tesco Web site where I order groceries, I can't find anything that seems to fit the bill! I recently ran out of my last Midol from the states and thought I'd take acetemenophine instead, but it's not as good.

FYI, I need something that doesn't have ibuprofin because I also take prescription Mobic (an anti-inflamatory) during my period. So tylenol-type products are OK to take with that, but no other anti-inflamatories.

Has anyone found anything good, or should I just give up and have my mom send me Midol? I get killer cramps and it's no fun!

Feminax!  It's a good buzz, too. 

(although i dont know if it contains ibuprofen or not, as ive not used it for ages.)

Feminax contains paracetamol (acetaminophen) and codeine, so there is no ibuprofen or other NSAID in it. I believe that Feminax used to contain an extra ingredient for the cramping etc., but I think it's been taken out of the formula now.

If you don't want to take something with codeine, you can buy Paracetamol Extra strength from Tesco/Boots etc. which is paracetamol and caffeine (it's similar to Midol I think, but without the extra diuretic/muscle relaxant ingredients).

Thanks for both suggestions! The Feminax sounds good, and when I looked it up at boots and saw that two of its three ingredients were paracetamol and codeine, my hubby said "I have paracetamol with codeine," so I tried that and it helped! I'll try some Feminax (and extra strength paracetamol for times I don't want codeine) next time we get to Boots!

Actually.....midol really is just the combination of calcium and ibuprophen....so get some calcium tablets/capsules(i use coral calcium..a bit more pricey) and something like ibuprophen, and you are set!;-)

she stated that she cant have ibuprofen due to some other meds she's taking.

stick with the paracetemol with codeine, or the Feminax. 

Actually.....midol really is just the combination of calcium and ibuprophen....so get some calcium tablets/capsules(i use coral calcium..a bit more pricey) and something like ibuprophen, and you are set!;-)

I haven't taken Midol before, but I looked up the ingredients online - only one version of the tablets has ibuprofen in it (which presumably is not the one that the OP takes because she is already taking an anti-inflammatory) and I have not seen anything about calcium being an active ingredient in it. Calcium is listed in the ingredients of the ibuprofen version, but it is an inactive ingredient, so it's not likely to actually contribute to the pain relief.

she stated that she cant have ibuprofen due to some other meds she's taking.

stick with the paracetemol with codeine, or the Feminax. 

Just a quick tip for these: since Feminax has no other ingredients, it is just paracetamol and codeine, so in terms of cost, it's not really worth paying out for the brand name. In Boots, 20 Feminax tablets are £3.18, whereas 32 paracetamol and codeine tablets are £1.99!

Just a quick tip for these: since Feminax has no other ingredients, it is just paracetamol and codeine, so in terms of cost, it's not really worth paying out for the brand name. In Boots, 20 Feminax tablets are £3.18, whereas 32 paracetamol and codeine tablets are £1.99!

ive not taken feminax for at least 10 years, but when i used to take it there was something else in it... some sort of muscle relaxer.   that's why i recommended it... i didnt realise that had been taken out.  What a swizz! 

Another tid bit of information to pocket for when I go shopping.  I also brought over a stock of American drugs, but am learning there isn't always an equivalent. I am glad this was brought up, thank you!

ive not taken feminax for at least 10 years, but when i used to take it there was something else in it... some sort of muscle relaxer.   that's why i recommended it... i didnt realise that had been taken out.  What a swizz! 

Yeah, it's stupid - they took out the other ingredients (caffeine and hycosine) in February 2006, so now I just recommend that customers buy the plain old co-codamol instead of paying out for the Feminax.

Yeah, it's stupid - they took out the other ingredients (caffeine and hycosine) in February 2006, so now I just recommend that customers buy the plain old co-codamol instead of paying out for the Feminax.

The picture of the Feminax box on the Boots Web site says it has "hyoscine." I didn't know what that was; guess it was the muscle relaxant? So maybe some version of Feminax still has that? If not, you're right, it's exactly the same as paracetamol and codeine and not worth any extra money.

The picture of the Feminax box on the Boots Web site says it has "hyoscine." I didn't know what that was; guess it was the muscle relaxant? So maybe some version of Feminax still has that? If not, you're right, it's exactly the same as paracetamol and codeine and not worth any extra money.

The Boots site probably has an older box in the picture, because hyoscine was definitely not listed in the ingredients on the box I sold to a customer on Wednesday . Hyoscine is the muscle relaxant and a form of it is also used in some travel sickness tablets.

Have a look at this site - the first link gives info about the original version and the second about the new one. It says that the original (with the extra ingredients) was discontinued in early 2006 so I don't think you can still get hold of it.

http://www.mypharmacy.co.uk/medicines/medicines/f/feminax/feminax.htm

http://www.mypharmacy.co.uk/medicines/medicines/f/feminax/feminax_period.htm

How irritating.  I've been buying Feminax regularly for years, and was never told that the formula had changed.  Maybe Boots should add that sort of thing to their pop-ups instead of grilling me with silly questions. 

Thanks for pointing that out, ksand24.  I think I'll stick to paracetamol and codeine from now on.

I'd complain to Boots. False advertising.