From the Guidelines
For alcohol-induced hangover symptoms, the most effective pharmacologic treatment is not well established, but benzodiazepines, such as diazepam or lorazepam, may be considered for severe symptoms, as they are effective in reducing withdrawal symptoms and the risk of seizures and/or delirium tremens 1.
Treatment Options
- Over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen (400mg every 6-8 hours) or naproxen sodium (220mg every 8-12 hours) can help with headache and body aches, though acetaminophen should be avoided as it may stress the already taxed liver.
- Anti-nausea medications such as ondansetron (4-8mg) or over-the-counter options like dimenhydrinate (50-100mg every 4-6 hours) can address stomach upset.
- For rehydration, oral rehydration solutions containing electrolytes are more effective than water alone.
- Some people find relief with vitamin B6 (50-100mg) or a B-complex supplement.
- Antacids like calcium carbonate or famotidine can help with acid reflux and stomach discomfort.
Pharmacological Aids
- According to the French Association for the Study of the Liver and the French Alcohol Society clinical guidelines, pharmacological treatment must be considered for promoting the maintenance of alcohol consumption targets (abstinence or reduced consumption) in dependent patients 1.
- Five drugs have received marketing authorization for the long-term treatment of alcohol dependence: disulfiram, acamprosate, naltrexone, nalmefen, and baclofen.
- Topiramate and gabapentin have shown some effectiveness in the treatment of alcohol use disorder, but their tolerance profile is not considered harmless.
Important Considerations
- No medication can completely eliminate a hangover, and regular use of hangover remedies should not be used to enable excessive drinking.
- The most effective approach is prevention through moderate alcohol consumption, drinking water between alcoholic beverages, and avoiding drinking on an empty stomach.
- A careful assessment of the benefit-risk ratio is necessary when prescribing pharmacological treatments for alcohol dependence 1.
From the Research
Pharmacologic Treatments for Alcohol-Induced Hangover Symptoms
- The search for effective pharmacologic treatments for alcohol-induced hangover symptoms has been ongoing, with various studies examining the effectiveness of different compounds 2, 3, 4.
- Some studies have found that certain compounds, such as those inhibiting prostaglandin synthesis or accelerating alcohol metabolism, may be effective in reducing specific hangover symptoms like vomiting and headache 2, 4.
- However, these compounds may not be effective in reducing other common hangover symptoms like drowsiness and fatigue 2.
- Other studies have identified potential treatments, including polysaccharide rich extract of Acanthopanax senticosus, red ginseng antihangover drink, Korean pear juice, KSS formula, and the After-Effect©, which have been associated with significant improvement of hangover symptoms 3.
- Rehydration, prostaglandin inhibitors, and vitamin B6 have also been recommended as effective interventions for hangover symptoms 4.
- Additionally, ondansetron has been shown to be effective in reducing nausea and vomiting, although its use in the context of hangover symptoms is not well established 5.
Limitations and Future Research
- Despite the progress made in researching hangover symptoms, there is still a lack of scientific evidence for the effectiveness of many treatments 2, 6.
- Further research is necessary to develop clinically effective hangover treatments and to elucidate the pathology of alcohol hangover 2, 3.
- Studies have highlighted the need for more research on the causes, consequences, and treatment of alcohol hangover, as well as the importance of screening for hangover severity and frequency to detect early signs of alcohol dependency 6, 4.