- Written By: Sandi Johnson
- Edited By: John Allen
- Last Modified Date: 18 March 2012
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Copyright Protected:
2003-2012 Conjecture Corporation
As an over-the-counter diuretic, pamabrom is typically recommended to women to alleviate symptoms associated with menstrual cycles. Physicians also prescribe the use of such a water pill for other conditions involving water-weight gain. The medication works, as all diuretics, by pulling excessive water from throughout the body and increasing how frequently patients need to urinate. By flushing excess water from the system through increased urination, patients gain relief from the uncomfortable bloating and swelling associated with water-weight gain.
Although sold under numerous brand names, generic, and store labels, common brand names of pamabrom include Aqua-Ban® and Diurex®, to name just two. Variants are also available which include both pamabrom and acetaminophen. With the addition of a pain reliever, women have a means to alleviate both bloating symptoms and pain associated with menstrual cramps with one pill. For simple pamabrom-only medications, the typical dosage is one tablet every four to six hours or four times per day. Additional brands or formulas that also include acetaminophen may have slightly different dosing frequencies and medication strength.
In the case of pamabrom with acetaminophen, patients are not limited to just women experiencing menstrual symptoms. Many over-the-counter formulations help alleviate the pain associated with minor back injuries or strained muscles. Other indications for use are possible under the careful guidance of a medical professional. A prescription is not necessary, but doctors may prescribe pamabrom as part of an overall treatment regime as needed for menstrual symptoms, back pain, or other conditions.
A chemical compound known as 8-bromothephylline is the active ingredient in pamabrom. Pamabrom is known to cause few side effects, although patients with high blood pressure, kidney disease, or certain cardiovascular conditions should not take medications containing pamabrom. Severe allergic reactions, including hives, facial swelling, or breathing problems require immediate medical attention or a visit to the local emergency room. Pharmacists and medical professionals may have additional information regarding common side effects and what factors might influence troublesome side effects.
Certain prescription and over-the-counter medications can interact with pamabrom. It is important that users not take this medication with other diuretics, including those prescribed to help lower high blood pressure. Common diuretics include torsemide, indapamide, and ethacrynic acid, among others. Users should follow proper dosing instructions, making sure not to take more than four tablets in a single day. Physicians may have recommendations regarding other medications and herbal supplements to avoid or dietary adjustments required for some patients.
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Discuss this Article
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anon255306
Post 8 |
My mood seems to be affected in a positive way on Pamabrom! I take Diurex with caffeine, then a few hours later Diurex with Pamabrom. |
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aLFredo
Post 7 |
The first couple day before and during my menstrual cycle are really trying. I get severe abdomen pain and feel very bloated and overall uncomfortable. I don't notice my water retention, but I am sure I retain water too. I think taking pamabrom with the pain reliever would be the right one for me.
Should you consult a doctor before taking pamabrom, or is it okay to take without a doctor's recommendation? I would love to start taking this in a couple weeks, but I do not want to take something that I should consult a doctor for first. |
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sunshined
Post 6 |
My body often reacts to medications and I began having some pamabrom side effects after taking it for a few days.
I woke up one morning had my face was red and I was itching all over. This continued to get worse as the morning went on, and then I read the pamphlet that came with the medication.
Hives was listed as one of the side effects, so I quit taking it right away. As soon as I stopped, the hives began to go away.
I was disappointed because I was hoping to get rid of some water weight. I was able to find another diuretic that worked without having a reaction. |
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golf07
Post 5 |
I began taking a medication that included pamabrom a few years ago, and it has been a life saver for me.
I was getting tired of my body retaining fluid and the bloating and weight gain every month when I had my period.
I had been using some Pamprin to help with my symptoms. It did a good job of helping with my aches and cramps, but I was still bloated.
When I began using a combination of pamabrom and acetaminophen, I really noticed a big difference. My ankles are not swollen and I don't have to worry about my pants feeling too tight from being so bloated. |
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cloudel
Post 4 |
I take pills to relieve my menstrual anguish, and they contain pamabrom. Without them, I couldn’t function. I seriously missed work a few times because of my period before I discovered these pills.
When I first started taking them, I didn’t know that pamabrom was a diuretic. I noticed that I had to urinate a lot more often than usual. Then, I noticed the word “diuretic” on the label, and it all made sense.
Pamabrom makes my life bearable. My cramps and bloating aren’t as bad when I take this medicine, and it also improves my mood. I’m sure the acetaminophen in it has something to do with this. |
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StarJo
Post 3 |
@lighth0se33 - I think the reason people with high blood pressure are instructed not to take pamabrom is that it can actually lower it, but without the advice and supervision of a doctor, it could lower it too much. Also, if you are already on medication to decrease your blood pressure, you run the risk of making it dangerously low by taking pamabrom.
My mother is on a diuretic to treat her high blood pressure, but her doctor carefully monitors her dosage and adjusts it from time to time as needed. As a diuretic, pamabrom could do the same thing as her medication, which decreases the level of sodium and water in the body. Too much of this would not be a good thing. |
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lighth0se33
Post 2 |
Does anyone know what effect pamabrom has on high blood pressure? I know the article says people with high blood pressure shouldn’t take it. Does it increase blood pressure?
I am currently on medication for high blood pressure, but I would really love to take pamabrom during my period. I get very uncomfortable during that time, and I need some over-the-counter relief. I don’t want to take anything that is going to raise my blood pressure, though.
My pressure is under control because of my medicine. I don’t want to mess that up by taking something that will have undesirable side effects. |
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Oceana
Post 1 |
When I started taking an experimental clinical drug for my kidney disease, I had to stop taking my menstrual relief pills containing pamabrom. The kidney drug contains a diuretic, so the two together would probably dehydrate me.
I have to urinate about every thirty minutes on this drug. I remember that when I took pamabrom, I had to urinate just as frequently as this. It would be very dangerous to combine these.
The good thing is that I still get the relief from water retention with my diuretic. To mimic the effect of pamabrom, I just take acetaminophen separately. |
