[?] Update with RSS Here

Does anything really give hangover relief?

Preventing a hangover may be obvious - do not drink. 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

Tolfenamic Acid is an anti-inflammatory medicine which also works well in migraine. The study 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 extract containing gamma-lineolic acid also seemed to reduce general hangover symptoms, but does not seem to specifically reduce hangover headache. In a controlled trial, Borage extract seems to produce some hangover relief, probably through the anti-inflammatory action.

"Morning Fit"

Morning Fit - a combination of yeast extract, thiamine, pyridoxine and riboflavin - was a widely used supplement in Scandinavian countries. The ingredients of this supplement should not cause harm, as they are naturally occurring vitamins or supplements. I have tried to find out if it is still available, but cannot find a listing. You could ask a local health food shop for advice, as this is not a medicinal or pharmaceutical product.

Other Hangover Remedies

Other medicines or extracts tested scientifically include:

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?

Well, the best way is, of course, not to drink alcohol. 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.

Go Back from Hangover Relief to Hangover Headache

Hangover Headache references

Wiese JG et al The Alcohol Hangover. Annals of Internal Medicine 2000;132:897-902 (Free full text)

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)

Go Back from Hangover Relief to HomePage