You can’t cure a hangover instantly, but you can take a few safe things that ease symptoms while your body clears the alcohol.

Quick Scoop

1. What you can safely take

These are common, generally safe options for most healthy adults (always check labels and your own medical conditions):

  • Water and electrolytes
    • Big sips of water or diluted juice through the morning help with headache, dry mouth, and dizziness.
* Electrolyte drinks (sports drinks, oral rehydration solutions) can help more if you’ve been vomiting or sweating a lot.
  • NSAID painkillers for headache and body aches
    • Ibuprofen, aspirin, or naproxen can help with pounding head and muscle pain.
* Take the **lowest** effective dose, with food, because they can irritate your stomach and affect your kidneys.

* Avoid if you have ulcers, kidney disease, are on blood thinners, or your doctor has told you not to take them.
  • Antacids for nausea / acid stomach
    • Over‑the‑counter antacids (chewable tablets or liquid) can calm heartburn and sour stomach.
* Small, frequent sips of water and bland food plus antacids often work better together than any one thing alone.
  • Bland carbs and light food
    • Toast, crackers, bananas, plain rice, or broth help raise low blood sugar and are gentle on the stomach.
* Avoid super-greasy “hangover breakfast” if you’re very nauseated; it can actually make you feel worse.
  • Rest and sleep
    • Alcohol wrecks sleep quality, so extra rest is one of the best “treatments” for fatigue, brain fog, and irritability.

2. What you should avoid taking

  • Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
    • Skip this after heavy drinking: combined with alcohol it can be harder on your liver.
  • “Hair of the dog” (more alcohol)
    • Drinking more only delays symptoms and can worsen dehydration and inflammation.
  • Random “miracle” pills or shots
    • Many marketed hangover cures have little solid evidence; some combo supplements can interact with meds or stress your liver or kidneys.

3. Simple plan for today

  1. Drink a large glass of water right away, then keep sipping water or electrolyte drink all morning.
  1. Eat something light: toast, crackers, fruit, or broth; avoid heavy fried meals if your stomach is off.
  1. If you’re otherwise healthy, consider an ibuprofen‑type painkiller with food for headache/body aches (not acetaminophen).
  1. Use an antacid if you’re refluxy or have a burning stomach.
  1. Rest in a dark, quiet room; nap if you can.

4. When a “hangover” might be dangerous

Call emergency services or go to urgent care now if you notice:

  • Confusion, trouble staying awake, or seizures.
  • Repeated vomiting, chest pain, slow or irregular breathing, bluish or very pale skin, or very low body temperature (feels cold and clammy).
  • Vomit with blood or black, tarry stool.

These can be signs of alcohol poisoning, internal bleeding, or another condition that needs urgent treatment.

TL;DR: Take water/electrolytes, an NSAID (not Tylenol) if you can safely use it, antacids for stomach, bland carbs, and lots of rest; avoid more alcohol and watch for any severe symptoms.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.