Man in his bed, grumpy and tired

What’s the Safest Medicine to Take for a Hangover?

If you’ve ever woken up after a night of drinking and tried to find relief from your hangover symptoms, then you’re probably familiar with the headache, nausea, vomiting, and overall misery that comes with the morning after an alcohol-fueled evening. Unfortunately, you might not know that the medications you might reach for to treat these symptoms can make things worse over time.

Hangover IV Treatment

A blend of IV fluids, electrolytes, vitamins, and medications to restore vitamins in your body and help you overcome your hangover symptoms quickly.

What causes hangovers

Hangovers are caused by two primary factors: dehydration and toxic buildup in your body. If you drink alcohol, your body begins to metabolize it by breaking it down into acetaldehyde—one of your body’s most toxic substances.

Then acetaldehyde becomes acetic acid and is broken down into water and carbon dioxide. This can happen over several hours as you drink more and more alcohol, leading to severe dehydration—the primary cause of hangovers.

Dehydration can cause headaches, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and dizziness. 

dizzy side effect efect

Alcohol also affects your central nervous system, which regulates your appetite and digestion—so you may suffer from dry mouth, abdominal cramps, or constipation. If you drink too much alcohol during a single sitting, you could end up with alcohol poisoning—an emergency requiring immediate medical attention.

Medicine For Hangover Symptoms

First and foremost, it’s important to determine whether you have, in fact, experienced nausea. The most common hangover side effect is headaches, and if you’re feeling nauseous along with your headache, then anti-nausea medication may be needed. If not, go ahead and skip anti-nausea.

Some medicines that treat post-drinking nausea are:

These medications can be found over the counter and don’t require a prescription.

If you have experienced nausea and vomiting from alcohol consumption, two main categories of medications are available. The first is anti-nausea, which works by suppressing your stomach acid production. The second category is called anti-emetics, which prevents your body from sending signals to your brain that cause nausea and vomiting.

Ibuprofen is probably your best bet for treating pain that results from a night of overindulgence. Advil’s NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug) can block prostaglandins, which are involved in sending pain signals from your brain to your body. And it can also help reduce inflammation and swelling. But don’t go overboard—taking too much ibuprofen can cause stomach ulcers and bleeding, so stick with the recommended dosage. And be sure to drink plenty of water when you pop these pills—ibuprofen reduces inflammation and swelling around injured tissue; if you don’t stay hydrated enough, it won’t work either.

In large hospitals and medical clinics, IV drips with saline (salt water) solution may be used to hydrate and rehydrate patients suffering from dehydration. Most major markets now have companies like Drip Hydration offering at-home hangover IVs. They are a blend of IV fluids, electrolytes, vitamins, and medications to detoxify your body. Hangover IVs are safe if you’re healthy enough to receive an IV. The procedure is not painful or invasive.

You get comfortable while a nurse inserts an IV needle into one of your veins in both arms. Afterward, you can return to your normal routine without worrying about missing class or work!

With at-home infusions, you just need to schedule a time with your local company and have them come to your home or office. You’ll receive a series of IV bags containing saline solution and detoxifying medications. You’ll be in a relaxing environment. No need to waste time, energy, and money going to a local clinic! You can get up and go about your day while they do their work!

It’s a great alternative to traditional hangover remedies like eating greasy food or taking painkillers that leave you feeling worse than before.

Home remedies for hangovers may not be as effective as some remedies, but many sufferers swear by them.

Start your morning with a glass of orange juice or two, and throw in an apple or two if you can stomach it. Drink plenty of water while avoiding sugar-rich foods like cookies and candy bars. While at it, keep drinking water throughout your day—at least eight 8-ounce glasses—to help stave off headaches later on.

It’s tough to know exactly what works and what doesn’t. Some home remedies like eating pretzels or drinking pickle juice may be effective—but no one knows why. Some people swear by foods like bananas or peanut butter, but there’s no scientific evidence that these foods can cure your hangover symptoms.

We only know that dehydration is a major cause of hangovers, so it’s important to replenish lost fluids with water and other non-alcoholic beverages throughout your day after drinking heavily. That’s why hangover IVs have grown in popularity.

Natural Remedies

Now, let’s take a look at some age-old remedies for tackling your hangover – ginger and herbal teas. For centuries, these have been go-to options for people seeking natural relief from nausea, headaches, and other symptoms.

Ginger and Herbal Teas

Ginger and herbal teas can help alleviate several of your hangover symptoms.

Studies have found that ginger can help relieve nausea and upset stomach. Add a few slices to a cup of hot water with some honey and lemon to help combat a sour stomach.

Similarly, peppermint tea can help combat nausea. There are few studies on chamomile for hangovers; however, this type of tea can help reduce inflammation and may help alleviate aches and pains.

Both chamomile and mint teas are hydrating because they do not contain caffeine, making them ideal options if the thought of drinking plain water turns your stomach.

Natural remedies can help with the symptoms of a hangover, but they won’t tackle the root cause – which is a bit of overindulgence in the alcohol department. Drinking in moderation and ensuring you drink water between alcoholic beverages can help prevent a hangover.

Vitamin and Electrolyte Supplements

Vitamin and electrolyte supplements can help replenish key components that your body may have lost due to a night of drinking. B-complex, potassium, and magnesium are all great ingredients to look for.

You can get vitamins and electrolytes in an oral over-the-counter pill. You can also obtain them as an oral rehydration solution – a packet of flavored, powdered ingredients that you can mix into a glass of water. The added benefit of this option is that it rehydrates you while replenishing vitamins and electrolytes.

If you have severe hangover symptoms or your symptoms do not improve, you may want to consult a healthcare professional. They can provide personalized guidance to help you recover quickly and effectively.

When is IV the best option?

Contact our offices and our team of medical professionals led by founders Dr. Abe Malkin and Dr. Neal Kumar, will answer your queries.

Be a part of the tribe

Get Membership Discounts of up to 50% OFF on Family, Event and Group packages.

Precautions and Contraindications

When it comes to finding the best way to handle a hangover safely, remember that your health history matters. If you have any existing health conditions, they should be on your radar before trying new remedies or supplements. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any supplements.

Even natural solutions like ginger or herbal teas can interact with medications or worsen existing health issues.

For example, ginger might not be suitable if you take blood thinners, as it may increase your risk of bleeding. Electrolyte drinks can be an excellent way to help overcome a hangover, but many contain sugar or artificial sweeteners. If you’re managing diabetes or another condition that involves watching your sugar intake, you need to be cautious about your intake. Always double-check ingredient lists, and don’t hesitate to reach out to a healthcare professional for personalized guidance.

When treating a hangover, remember to prioritize safety – especially for individuals with preexisting health conditions or those currently taking prescription medications. If you are unsure if a treatment option may interact with a health condition or medication, contact your doctor. They can inform you of the safest and most effective treatment options to get rid of your hangover symptoms fast.

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.

Make an appointment by clicking the button below!

Hangover 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.

Read more: Hangover IV FAQ