Interventions for preventing or treating alcohol hangover: systematic review of randomised controlled trials.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the clinical evidence on the effectiveness of any medical intervention for preventing or treating alcohol hangover.


METHODS
Systematic searches on Medline, Embase, Amed, Cochrane Central, the National Research Register (UK), and ClincalTrials.gov (USA); hand searches of conference proceedings and bibliographies; contact with experts and manufacturers of commercial preparations. Language of publication was not restricted.


METHODS
All randomised controlled trials of any medical intervention for preventing or treating alcohol hangover were included. Trials were considered if they were placebo controlled or controlled against a comparator intervention. Titles and abstracts of identified articles were read and hard copies were obtained. The selection of studies, data extraction, and validation were done independently by two reviewers. The Jadad score was used to evaluate methodological quality.


RESULTS
Fifteen potentially relevant trials were identified. Seven publications failed to meet all inclusion criteria. Eight randomised controlled trials assessing eight different interventions were reviewed. The agents tested were propranolol, tropisetron, tolfenamic acid, fructose or glucose, and the dietary supplements Borago officinalis (borage), Cynara scolymus (artichoke), Opuntia ficus-indica (prickly pear), and a yeast based preparation. All studies were double blind. Significant intergroup differences for overall symptom scores and individual symptoms were reported only for tolfenamic acid, gamma linolenic acid from B officinalis, and a yeast based preparation.


CONCLUSIONS
No compelling evidence exists to suggest that any conventional or complementary intervention is effective for preventing or treating alcohol hangover. The most effective way to avoid the symptoms of alcohol induced hangover is to practise abstinence or moderation.
Pittler
Max H
MH
Complementary Medicine, Peninsula Medical School, Universities of Exeter and Plymouth, Exeter EX2 4NT. M.H.Pittler@exeter.ac.uk
Verster
Joris C
JC
Ernst
Edzard
E
D000435:Alcoholic Intoxication / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000529:Complementary Therapies; D006801:Humans; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / Q000517:prevention & control*