Does anything really give hangover relief?

However, hangover relief can be a challenge and everyone has their own theory...Irn Bru, non-fizzy Coca-Cola, strong coffee, raw eggs, fatty bacon, pizza, ginseng, cabbage, fresh air, (hair of the dog = more alcohol?), glutamine, milkshakes.... all said to be good for hangovers.

You may have your own favourite, but here's the list that stood the test of proper clinical research.

Tolfenamic Acid

It is an anti-inflammatory medicine which also works well in migraine. The first study in hangover dates back to 1983!

People who took tolfenamic acid 200mg just prior to starting to drink, and another 200mg just before retiring to bed after their drinking session were compared with people who did not take tolfenamic acid.

People who took tolfenamic acid were more likely to experience relief of hangover symptoms, specifically reduced amount of headache.

Tolfenamic acid is not available in the USA, but its close relation (pharmacologically speaking) mefanamic acid (Ponstan - registered trade mark)) is.

However, I cannot make a recommendation regarding use of mefanamic acid for the USA.

Borage Extract

Borage is a plant extract containing gamma-lineolic acid.

In a controlled trial, Borage extract seems to produce some hangover relief, probably through the anti-inflammatory action.

Other Hangover Remedies

• Propranolol
• Tropisetron
• Fructose or glucose
• Cynara scolymus (artichoke)
• Opuntia ficus-indica (prickly pear)
.

In the review of these preparations in the BMJ of Christmas 2005, none of these seemed to pass the test.

However, fructose, which is contained in honey and fruit juice does seem a reasonable intervention.

Fructose is a simple sugars, and simple sugars can help your body metabolise alcohol efficiently, which could reduce hangover symptoms.

What is the best way of preventing hangover?

Alcohol related disease is a major social problem, and excessive or prolonged alcohol intake puts you at risk of liver cirrhosis, head injury, and stroke.

Hangover Headache Relief References

Pittler M et al. Interventions for preventing or treating alcohol hangover: systematic review of randomised controlled trials British Medical Journal 2005;331:1515-8 (Free full text)

Lucey D. Hangovers. studentBMJ 2002;10:171-214 (Free full text)

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