No evidence
that hangover cures work
No compelling evidence exists to suggest that any
complementary or conventional intervention is effective for
treating or preventing alcohol hangover, say researchers in
this week's BMJ.
In Britain, alcohol hangovers account for about £2bn in lost
wages each year, mostly due to sickness absence, and a
plethora of "hangover cures" is on offer.
The team searched medical databases and the internet, and
contacted experts and manufacturers for randomised
controlled trials of any medical intervention for preventing
or treating alcohol hangover.
They found eight trials testing eight different agents:
propranolol (beta-blocking drug), tropisetron (drug for
nausea and vertigo), tolfenamic acid (painkiller), fructose
or glucose, and the dietary supplements borage, artichoke,
prickly pear, and a yeast based preparation.
Most trials reported no beneficial effects, although
encouraging findings existed for borage, a yeast based
preparation, and tolfenamic acid.
"We are confident that our search strategy located all
published trials on the subject," say the authors. "Our
findings show no compelling evidence to suggest that any
complementary or conventional intervention is effective for
treating or preventing the alcohol hangover."
The most effective way to avoid the symptoms of alcohol
induced hangover is thus to practise abstinence or
moderation, they conclude.
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