The 6 Best Hangover Supplements On Amazon (The Top Pills, Drinks and Patches)

(Ad) Hangover pills, drinks, and patches are all the rage at the moment. Designed to support your recovery after a bit too much drinking, these products have gained massive popularity as the quest for an elusive hangover cure is still alive and well.

With that said, you should be under no illusion that a real-life, 100 percent effective “hangover cure” actually exists. Instead, hangover supplements are a way of taking the edge off the night before by giving your body an antioxidant pick-me-up.

By utilizing a combination of vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and herbal extracts, these hangover supplements support your body’s natural ability to deal with the aftermath of drinking alcohol.

Hangover supplements are available in all different forms, including drinks, patches, shots, pills, and even IV drips, so choosing the best option from all the available products can be tricky.

Before taking any new supplement, it’s always important to check in with your doctor. This is the case if you have any medical conditions or are taking any medications as adverse interactions are possible.

With that said, let’s take a closer look at the best hangover supplements available on Amazon. We’ve picked the 6 most popular products available right now.

1) AfterDrink Pills

AfterDrink is one of the most popular hangover pills with 23 antioxidant ingredients packed into each capsule. It has a prophylactic approach: you take 3 capsules before drinking and another 3 after your last drink.

This remedy’s ingredients include high dose B vitamins, milk thistle, prickly pear and many more. Better still, all these ingredients are natural, the remedy is free from unwanted stimulants like caffeine, and it’s made in the USA. Because of this, AfterDrink has scored tons of rave reviews and is one of the best products on the market.

Amazon reviews:

“Hands down the best hangover ‘cure’ I've found. I've tried many different solutions, and AfterDrink is my new go-to.”

“I've tried numerous different hangover pills and this one works. It definitely softens the crippling effects of bad hangovers after a night of heavy drinking. Definitely recommend it to all (especially anyone above the age of 30).”

Get AfterDrink on Amazon or from their website now.

2) Liquid IV Rehydration Solution

Liquid IV is an Amazon best seller product for rehydration. Although it’s mostly used as a hydration boost for endurance sports and travel, people have figured out that it’s also fantastic for hangovers.

The exact cause of hangovers is still debated by scientists, but it’s unanimously agreed that dehydration is a key factor. That’s why investing in a rehydration supplement can be a game-changer. In fact, hangover prevention pros generally combine a rehydration solution, like Liquid IV, with one of the other hangover supplements mentioned in this list.

Amazon reviews:

“After using this product for the last 6 months, Liquid IV has become a staple or hangover prevention/relief! I drink this before I go to sleep after a night out and it has helped lessen the usual headaches I get in the morning.”

“This stuff will wipe out a hangover in no time!! Also if you play intense sports or sweat a ton in the gym, this will help you hydrate afterward. The taste is kind of like a saltier version of yellow Gatorade. Best way I can describe it. It’s not the best tasting stuff but it works a lot better than Gatorade or the other leading sports drinks out there”

Get Liquid IV hydration multiplier on Amazon or from their website now.

3) Morning Recovery Drink

Morning Recovery Drink by Morelabs contains a ton of beneficial nutrients that can support normal liver function. It contains all the ingredients you’ll find in hangover pills, but in a drink instead. So if you’re someone who struggles with swallowing pills, Morning Recovery may be the best option for you.

Amazon reviews:

“Excellent product. Expensive, but works!”

“Was very skeptical as I’ve tried just about every touted hangover cure on the market, but this stuff actually works. Felt noticeably better the next day.”

Get Morning Recovery Drink on Amazon or from their website now.

4) Flyby Pills

Flyby is one of the top selling hangover pills on Amazon, with loads of positive reviews. Like AfterDrink, you take 3 pills before and after drinking for best results. They do also have a drink version if you prefer getting your dose of goodness this way.

Amazon reviews:

“Tried this last night. I’m mid 40’s, and even two drinks can make for a miserable next day for me now. I took these pills, and I did not have trouble waking up the next morning and getting an early start on my Saturday. I also slept very well, which doesn't always happen after I’ve had a few drinks.”

Get the Flyby Hangover Pills on Amazon or from their website now.

5) Bytox Patch

Bytox is one of the most popular hangover patches around. Simply peel off and stick the patch on your arm before going out, and it will provide a continuous infusion of vitamins. The downside with patches is that the quantity of nutrients delivered is usually lower than in other hangover supplements. However, you may prefer this route compared to taking pills or hangover drinks.

Amazon reviews:

“Sounds too good to be true, but these patches work! I wear one every time I drink now! They have a strong vitamin/earthy smell, though. I wear mine on my lower back/hip and cannot smell it. 10/10 recommend.”

“Can’t drink without these anymore :)”

Get Bytox Patch on Amazon or from their website now.

6) Purple Tree Pills

Purple Tree pills are one of the best budget options on Amazon. At only $19.95 for 60 capsules, it’s probably the cheapest hangover supplement on the market. For that price, you still get a decent selection of vitamins and herbal extracts.

Amazon reviews:

“Pleasantly surprised, bought these for vacation and can say I had no hangovers at all. Still was a little tired, but NO headaches or nausea the next day! Worth trying for the price!!”

“These actually work. The key is really to pace and to drink water to stay hydrated, but these help process and maintain hydration.”

Get Purple Tree Pills on Amazon or from their website now.

How do hangover supplements work?

To be able to answer this question, we first need to understand how alcohol causes hangovers in the first place. And if you’re thinking it’s just dehydration, you may be surprised to learn there’s more to it.

Alcohol has a wide range of effects on your body, many of which contribute to hangover symptoms. The main factors include:

• Dehydration: Alcohol is a diuretic, which means it makes you pee more often. Hence dehydration is a well-known reason why we feel rough after drinking too much. No surprises here.
• Gastrointestinal effects: Alcohol may cause irritation and may increase acid production in your digestive system. It also slows down your stomach’s ability to empty into the small intestine (delayed gastric emptying). All of which can make you feel nauseated and have alcohol poops.
• Electrolyte imbalance: Alcohol intake affects your body’s electrolyte levels. Electrolyte imbalances may contribute to headaches and irritability.
• Immune system effects: Drinking alcohol may impair your immune system. A wide range of hangover symptoms, including nausea, decreased appetite, and inability to concentrate may be related to temporary changes in immune system function caused by alcohol.
• Low blood sugar: Drinking limits the production of sugar (glucose) in the body. Low blood sugar is associated with fatigue, dizziness, and irritability.
• Dilated blood vessels: When you drink, your blood vessels widen. This effect, known as vasodilation, is the reason you may feel hot after drinking or get red cheeks.
• Sleep Issues: How many times do you wake up in the night after you’ve had a few drinks? Although drinking can help you initiate sleep easily, its known to greatly reduces the quality of your sleep by making it light and easily disturbed.
• Inflammation: Some of the waste products that are pumped out of your liver after it’s worked hard to break down alcohol are toxic. These react with the cells in your body to cause inflammation, which contributes to muscle aches, headaches, and the general feeling of lethargy.

Complicated, right?

Hangover pills, drinks, and patches obviously can’t counteract, treat, or prevent these things from happening. Rather, they provide your body with a boost of antioxidants, electrolytes, and vitamins that support your body's metabolism and liver function.

All of that means that hangover supplements are not going to prevent or cure your hangovers.

The Key Hangover Supplement Ingredients To Look Out For

It’s important to know that the ingredients in hangover supplements have a limited amount of research behind them. As you can imagine, it’s not an area of science that is researched extensively.

As with the majority of dietary supplements on the market, most of the benefits are based on customer experience and reviews.

With this in mind, here are some of the most popular ingredients you’ll come across in hangover supplements:

Milk thistle

Milk thistle is a well-known liver health supplement and commonly used for hangovers. The active ingredient in milk thistle is silymarin and studies suggest that it may detoxify some of the harmful compounds that affect your liver. Plus, it acts as an antioxidant, neutralizing harmful free radicals. With that said, there isn’t much research to support milk thistle’s use as a hangover cure supplement.(1)

Vitamin B Complex

Almost all hangover supplement contains a selection of B vitamins. That’s because they are essential for the metabolism of the food and drink we consume, including alcohol. Vitamins B1, B3, and B6 are key metabolic cofactors. On the other hand, vitamin B12 is not involved in the metabolism of alcohol.(2)

Prickly Pear

Prickly pear is a native Latin American cactus that is high in fiber, antioxidants, and carotenoids. Some research suggests that prickly pear cactus extract may reduce the unpleasant effects of a hangover, possibly due to its anti-inflammatory effects.(3)

Vitamins C and E

Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that can strengthen your body’s natural defenses. It works well in combination with vitamin E, which recycles used-up vitamin C so that it can actively function for longer.(4)

Dihydromyricetin (DHM)

This is the active ingredient extracted from the oriental raisin tree and has been used traditionally in the eastern world for centuries. Almost all of the hangover supplements on the market include DHM in their formulation. The reason is, there are a couple of studies that have shown DHM can promote alcohol clearance as well as reduce the withdrawal effects. But before anyone gets too excited by this, the study was performed in rats and, at the time of writing, there are no good human studies.(5)

Ginseng

The active ingredient in ginseng is called ginsenosides, which may have anti-inflammatory effects, according to experimental results in the Journal of Translational Medicine. One study found that taking red ginseng reduced blood alcohol levels, as well as hangover severity.(6)

L-Cysteine

L-cysteine is a semi-essential amino acid found naturally in the human body which is abundant in protein-rich foods. L-cysteine is a building block of the powerful antioxidant glutathione.(7)

Alpha-lipoic acid

Alpha-lipoic acid has gained a lot of attention in recent years. It’s an organic compound that acts as a powerful antioxidant and that’s why you’ll find it in most hangover supplements.(8)

L-Theanine

L-theanine is an amino acid found primarily in green and black tea and some mushrooms. It’s said to increase brain alpha waves and thus ease anxiety and stress.(9)

Ginger

There are several studies that have shown ginger to be effective as a natural remedy for nausea. It's been researched extensively in pregnant women with morning sickness and in chemotherapy-associated nausea. Although it's not been researched in hangovers, ginger is generally regarded as a suitable and safe natural nausea remedy.(10)

Black pepper extract

Black Pepper is a source of piperine, a molecule that does not do much on its own but can increase the absorption of other nutrients. You'll often see it in turmeric and vitamin B supplements because studies have shown it increases their absorption from the gut by several times. That means that products containing piperine can allow you to get the most out of your hangover supplement.(11)

Who Are Hangover Supplements Right For?

You may be thinking, do I really need a hangover supplement?

It’s an important question to consider before you invest your hard-earned money in any product.

We all know that the best way to avoid a hangover is to drink less alcohol. But for some of us, indulging in even a small amount of alcohol can leave us feeling less than 100%.

And as we get older and responsibilities increase, having “off days” become far from ideal.

Hangover supplements can supply your body with beneficial nutrients that could potentially support normal metabolism and liver function so that no days are wasted feeling rough.

We’ve already explained how the cause of hangovers is complex and involves alcohol disrupting many bodily functions, so a hangover remedy is not a total solution to the problem. But it could make a real difference for some people who need that little extra recovery help.

What To Expect From A Hangover Supplement

There’s no more frustrating feeling than waking up in the morning after a few drinks and knowing that your day is going to be a struggle. Especially if you've got grown-up commitments and general life to get on with and can't afford to sit in bed all day watching Netflix.

However, it’s important to keep your expectations realistic when it comes to hangover supplements. As we have already mentioned, there are no "miracle" supplements out there that will work wonders on their own.

So-called hangover supplements are intended to be combined with sensible drinking habits. In other words, you shouldn’t simply expect to be able to take a hangover supplement, do shots all night, and expect to wake up feeling fresh.

Perhaps the best way to describe the products on this page are as a "companion" that can complement your recovery efforts. Next up, we'll go over all the things you can do to get the absolute most out of hangover supplements.

How To Get The Most Out Of Hangover Supplements

We've already mentioned a few times now that hangover supplements are no magic bullet. There are lots of other things you can do to support your body's recovery after drinking. Obviously, the best way is to reduce your alcohol intake, but we're all human and sometimes having a couple of extra drinks is all it takes to leave us feeling rough the next morning.

Below we've listed a few tips which you should always consider doing when drinking alcohol

1. Hydrate properly

   As long as alcohol is in your system, your kidneys will continue to flush out more fluid than you are consuming. This results in a net loss of fluid and dehydration which we've explained earlier in this article. One of the best things you can do is to drink a glass of water between every drink. This not only supports hydration levels but also increases the time interval between your alcoholic drinks. A longer time period between each alcoholic drink gives your liver a chance to clear more alcohol from your bloodstream. To support hydration even further, you could consider investing in a hydration mix like Liquid IV which contains sugar and electrolytes that enhance water absorption.

2. Eat before drinking

   Drinking alcohol on an empty stomach is a bad idea. The reason is, alcohol is absorbed much faster when your stomach is empty. And this is a problem when it comes to hangovers because rapid spikes in blood alcohol concentration put added pressure on your body. In fact, studies have shown that the rate of alcohol metabolism plays an important role in hangover severity. The higher the peaks in blood alcohol concentration and the longer alcohol is in your system, the worse hangovers usually are. Food in your stomach massively slows down how fast alcohol is absorbed into your bloodstream so it's always a good idea to eat something before drinking. It's also the same reason why doing shots of alcohol is a bad idea as it increases blood alcohol concentration more rapidly than if you were sipping on a gin and tonic.

3. Avoid caffeinated mixers

   Caffeine has the opposite effect to alcohol on the body because it's a stimulant that makes you more alert. This is a problem when combined with alcohol because studies have shown that people feel less drunk and, therefore, drink more. Aside from this, it keeps your mind alert and disrupts the quality of your sleep after a night out. That's why caffeine combined with alcohol is a "perfect storm" when it comes to hangovers. Lots of mixers such as coke and red bull contain very high amounts of caffeine so they should ideally be avoided.

4. Choose drinks with low congener concentration

   What are congeners you're probably asking? Well, they are important to know about because they've been shown in studies to make hangovers much more severe. Congeners are the natural biological compounds that are formed when drinks like wine, tequila, and whiskey are made. These drinks are usually aged in barrels for many years and are not distilled in any way so that unique aromas and flavors are created. Unfortunately, these organic compounds are highly reactive and interact with the normal biological processes of your cells. As a rule of thumb, darker-colored drinks contain more congeners. Whereas drinks that are clear such as vodka are distilled and contain much fewer congeners. That doesn't mean that drinking vodka alone all night means you won't get a hangover. It's just one factor in a complex process!

Hangover prevention myths

There are a few hangover-related myths that we also thought it important to mention

• Caffeine speeds up alcohol metabolism - There are several reviews that have been said that caffeine has NO effect on blood alcohol concentration. We believe it 100% does not sober you up.
• Drinking milk lines your stomach - Milk does not contain special powers that prevent alcohol intoxication. It's true that it's better than having an empty stomach, but eating a standard dinner before going out is probably better.
• Doing exercise helps "sweat out" a hangover - There is no plausible scientific reasoning behind the idea that alcohol or its by-products can be cleared more effectively if you do some exercise. In fact, it's probably more dangerous to do exercise when drunk or hungover in terms of accidents and also adding unnecessary stress to an already recovering body.
• Hair of the dog cures hangovers - You may have heard that a bloody mary is the best remedy for a hangover. As great as that sounds, it's unfortunately not true. Hangover symptoms start when your blood alcohol levels drop to zero. Drinking a bloody mary tops up your blood alcohol levels so it makes you feel like your hangover symptoms are dissipating. But this only delays your hangover by a few hours.

Things Consider When Choosing A Hangover Supplement

Hangover supplements aren’t all made the same. The products you come across online can vary greatly in standard. Ultimately, the most important things to bear in mind are the selection and quality of the ingredients. More often than not, the branding and messaging are just distracting and may not reflect the product's true value.

Below, we've listed how we ranked the hangover supplements in this article and the key things to look out for.

Quality

Look out for herbal extract ingredients that are “standardized.” What does this mean?

Let’s use milk thistle as an example to illustrate “standardization.” The active ingredient in milk thistle is called silymarin. Different supplements will either contain standard milk thistle, which may contain a negligible amount of silymarin, or a ”standardized” version of milk thistle, which will usually contain at least 80% silymarin concentration.

That’s why the key to the quality and effectiveness of your supplements is all in the ingredients.

Dosage

It’s always a good idea to take a closer look at the product ingredients formula. You may notice that some supplements boast an extensive formulation with only tiny doses of each ingredient. It will be hard to know which ingredients are dosed properly if you don't know your supplements inside out. One way to know is by looking at the percentage daily value (% DV) on the label. This is presented as a percentage of the recommended nutrient intake. You won't see % DV listed for the herbal extracts as they don't have any daily recommended amounts as they are not essential to your diet. In this case, you may want to compare the labels of different hangover supplements to see how they've dosed their ingredients.

Proprietary blend

Way too many supplements contain interesting ingredients, but don’t tell you how much of each ingredient they actually contain. Proprietary blends group ingredients together, which conceals the exact doses. Therefore it's impossible to know how much of the ingredient is included.

Price

Is your choice of hangover supplement good value for money? The best way to compare is by calculating how much each full serving costs. In other words, how much does it cost you every time you drink? Anything under $5 is usually a fair amount (and certainly, a lot less than a drink will cost you at your favorite bar).

With all that said, you can’t go wrong with the hangover pills, patches, and drinks in this article.

What type of hangover supplement works best?

We've picked out a range of different hangover supplements in this article from pills, patches, drinks, and rehydration salts. But which one should you go for?

To be honest, most of that decision comes down to personal choice. And these are some of the questions you should be asking yourself to see what product is right for you.

• Do I fancy/ will I remember to take 4-6 pills before and after drinking?
• Will I like the flavor of hangover drinks or rehydration mixes?
• Which one is easiest to travel with?
• Can I easily take this supplement on holiday?
• Is my skin going to react to this patch (for those with sensitive skin)?

All the hangover supplements in this article have lots of happy customers, so it all comes down to your own personal choice. Also, you may get the most benefit by combining one of the hangover pills or drinks with a rehydration salt as they address different aspects of recovery.

Frequently asked questions

How do you use hangover supplements?

You may notice that there’s a running theme here about hangover supplements and how you’re meant to use them.

Whether it’s a hangover pill, drink, or patch you end up with, you are advised to use them before and/or immediately after you’ve been drinking.

In other words, they won’t be effective if you already have the symptoms of a hangover.

Following the instructions is essential if you want to get the most out of hangover supplements.

Will supplements prevent me from getting a hangover?

A lot of people pin their hopes on hangover pills and drinks preventing their symptoms completely. Unfortunately, that is not going to happen.

The best hangover supplements are designed to boost antioxidant levels and replace what’s lost after drinking to support recovery. That means they are not designed to replace sensible drinking habits.

If any product tells you otherwise, for example, by claiming to be a magic cure that will help you wake up “hangover-free,” be very wary.

Are they safe?

The 6 best hangover supplements we’ve listed in this article are all made from natural ingredients. Having said that, you can still have a reaction or allergy to the ingredients in them.

Most commonly, the high-dose B vitamins and herbal extracts can sometimes cause a stomach ache. If you do get any adverse symptoms, you should stop using the product and check in with your doctor to make sure all is OK.

If you take prescribed medication, have any medical conditions, are pregnant or breastfeeding, speaking to a doctor before taking a new supplement is always recommended.

Best Hangover Supplements - The Verdict

Remember, hangover supplements need to be used judiciously and in conjunction with healthy drinking habits and a sensible recovery routine.

If you are trying to prevent a hangover, your best strategy should be drinking less alcohol. Drinking a glass of water between every drink can also have a big impact.

Adding a hangover supplement to your routine could further support your recovery.

Whether you decide to go for a hangover pill, drink, or patch as your chosen supplement, the most important thing to look out for is the quality of the ingredients list.

With that in mind, you can’t go wrong with the 6 best hangover supplements we've reviewed. They’re all available on Amazon so check out the reviews for yourself!

Of course, not drinking too much in the first place is the best way to avoid a hangover. Also, hangover supplements do nothing to help you sober up.

*This article is provided by an advertiser. Statements made are not meant to offer medical advice nor to diagnose any condition. Any studies cited here may be preliminary, and may or may not be peer reviewed, and may or may not have sufficient participants to be statistically relevant. Anecdotal accounts should not be taken as scientific results. Products discussed in this article are not designed to diagnose, treat, prevent, or cure any disease. The FDA does not evaluate dietary supplements. Consult your doctor about possible interactions, allergies, and if you are considering using a natural and/or dietary supplements for any condition. Individual results will vary.