People who get migraines may experience worsening migraine attacks during a hangover. Hangover migraines can be severe and debilitating, but thankfully there are options available that may help you manage them.
This article is a practical guide for individuals who get migraines alongside hangovers and will discuss medications (both prescriptions and over-the-counter options), home remedies, and IV infusions.
Medications
Some medications can help treat migraine symptoms and may even prevent migraines.
Pain-relieving medications (sometimes called acute or abortive treatment) designed to reduce symptoms are most effective when taken as soon as you begin experiencing any signs or symptoms of a migraine.
Preventive medications are taken regularly – usually daily – to make migraines less frequent and severe. The type of medication most suitable for you may depend on factors, including the frequency and severity of your headaches, whether you have nausea and vomiting with your headaches, and any other medical conditions you have.
Prescriptions
Triptans are a pain-relieving prescription drug for migraines. Examples include sumatriptan (Imitrex, Tosymra) and rizatriptan (Maxalt, Maxalt-MLT).
They work by blocking pain pathways in the brain and can relieve many migraine symptoms. They are available as pills, injections, or nasal sprays. However, they may be unsafe for those at risk of a heart attack or stroke.
Dihydroergotamine (DHE 45, Migranal) is designed for migraines lasting longer than 24 hours and should be taken at the onset of noticeable symptoms. This medication is available as an injection or nasal spray. However, it can worsen migraine-related nausea and vomiting. This medication should be avoided by those with high blood pressure or coronary artery, liver, or disease.
Lasmiditan (Reyvow) is an oral supplement that treats migraines and significantly reduces headache pain. It’s important to avoid operating machinery or a vehicle for at least eight hours after taking lasmiditan, as it can have a sedative effect and cause dizziness.
CGRP antagonists like ubrogepant (Ubrelvy) and rimegepant (Nurtec ODT) are oral calcitonin gene-related peptide receptor antagonists approved to treat acute migraine with or without aura in adults. They help relieve pain and associated migraine symptoms, such as light sensitivity and nausea. Common side effects of these drugs include dry mouth, excessive sleepiness, and nausea. Neither of these drugs should be taken in combination with potent CYP3A4 inhibitor drugs.
Narcotic opioid medications may help you if you cannot take other migraine medications or if others have not helped you sufficiently. However, because they are highly addictive, your doctor will only prescribe them if no other treatments are effective.
Anti-nausea drugs like chlorpromazine, metoclopramide (Reglan), and prochlorperazine (Compro) may help you if you experience nausea and vomiting during a migraine with aura.
Over-The-Counter Options
Over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen (Advil, aspirin, or Motrin IB) can help manage migraine pain. However, these medications, when taken for an extended period, have the potential to cause medication-overuse headaches and ulcers, and bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract.
Excedrin Migraine (a combination of acetaminophen, aspirin, and caffeine) can reduce mild migraine pain but may not be suitable for everyone.
Home Remedies
You can try a few home remedies to manage hangover migraine pain.
Replenish low vitamin levels. Alcohol depletes your B vitamin levels and makes it difficult for your body to metabolize and eliminate alcohol.1 Getting extra vitamin B6 can help your body flush out alcohol faster. Taking vitamin B6 before or after you drink can help you avoid a hangover migraine. Foods rich in vitamin B6 include fruit, potatoes, and poultry.
Drink plenty of water. Migraines can be triggered or worsened by dehydration, and alcohol is a diuretic that can leave you dehydrated even if you drank a lot of fluids while drinking.
Drinking plenty of water throughout your day keeps your body nourished and functioning.
Restore electrolytes in your body. Sports drinks containing electrolytes can also help restore the balance of electrolytes in your system. However, be cautious of trendy drinks containing excessive amounts of sugar, which can upset your stomach and work to make you feel worse.
Try heat and cold. A cold compress on your neck or forehead can help reduce inflammation and constrict blood vessels contributing to your migraine. Heat compresses may also relieve pain by helping relax tense muscles.
IV Infusions
An IV infusion may help treat hangover migraines. The vitamins, minerals, medications, and hydration in a hangover IV drip are delivered directly into your bloodstream. As such, they can go to work immediately because, unlike oral remedies, they do not need hours to traverse through your digestive system before they can take effect. Your body is also able to absorb higher doses of the ingredients intravenously compared to orally.
A typical hangover IV treatment may include a blend of the following ingredients:
- Anti-inflammatory medication
- Anti-nausea medication
- B-complex vitamins
- Electrolytes
- IV fluids
- Vitamin B12
- Vitamin C
Additionally, you can receive a hangover IV infusion from the comfort of your home.
This in-home service saves you time and money because you will not need to commute to a doctor’s office or hospital to treat your hangover migraine. You can book an appointment online, and a trained medical professional can come to your home to administer the treatment.
A registered nurse prepares and administers treatment, inserts the IV line, and stays with you during the infusion to address any concerns or discomfort you may have.
Last Words
Migraines can be debilitating, but medications, vitamins and minerals, and hydration can help combat symptoms. Reducing your alcohol intake can also help avoid triggering a hangover migraine.
Never hesitate to speak to your doctor if you experience hangover migraines frequently or if they are particularly severe. They will be able to recommend additional treatment options specific to your needs.
Get Your Hangover IV
Recover from a big night out with our hangover IV. This treatment helps relieve hangover symptoms by rehydrating, restoring, and replenishing your body. Infusions take less than an hour and are administered by one of our licensed nurses.
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Book a Hangover IVHangover IV - Frequently Asked Questions
What is included in our hangover IV?
Our Hangover IV treatment contains a blend of IV fluids, electrolytes, vitamins and medication to restore the vitamins in your body and help your body battle with the unwanted hangover symptoms. Among the main ingredients are B-Complex vitamins, Vitamin B12, Toradol and Anti-Nausea medication.
Why is hangover IV much more effective than hangover drinks?
Hangover IV is more effective than hangover drinks because the IV solution is introduced directly into your blood without having to go through the digestive system which is already overloaded. This means you will feel the effects much faster and feel much better very quickly.
How long does it take for our Hangover IV to start working?
It usually takes between 30-60 minutes for you to feel the benefits of our Hangover IV drip.
What are the levels of hangover severity?
IV therapy in general is FDA approved. Our nurses are overseen by our Medical Director, Abe Malkin, and every nurse is registered and certified per state standards.
