Abstract
Hangovers resulting from alcohol intoxication can lead to adverse effects ranging from generalized discomfort and work-related absenteeism to emergency department visits from patients seeking symptomatic care. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a low dose (600–1800 mg) of N-Acetylcysteine (NAC) vs placebo on mitigating hangover symptoms. This was a randomized, double-blinded, placebo controlled crossover study involving 49 volunteers who consumed beer to obtain a breath alcohol content (BrAC) of 0.1 g/210L. The participants met on two separate occasions at which time they were given either NAC or placebo capsules. Opposing treatments were administered during the second encounter. The morning after the participant’s intoxication and treatment, a Hangover Symptom Scale Questionnaire was administered to determine subjective changes in hangover symptoms. Data was analyzed by self-control, comparing the participant’s hangover symptom severity when using NAC compared to placebo. No significant difference was found in the general distribution of total hangover scores (P = .45) (NAC = 10; Placebo = 13). There was also no significant difference found in the general distribution of specific hangover symptoms. However, a significant difference was found in the general distribution of total hangover difference scores based on gender (P = .04) (Female − 3.5; Male 2), specifically for nausea (P = .05) and weakness (P = .03). Although no difference was found in the general hangover scale scores, the study was suggestive of gender specific susceptibility with female participants having improved hangover symptoms after NAC use.
Highlights
Hangovers resulting from alcohol intoxication can lead to adverse effects ranging from generalized discomfort and work-related absenteeism to emergency department visits from patients seeking symptomatic care
Many of these negative effects are defined in the Hangover Symptoms Scale (HSS), which has been previously discussed as a way to evaluate hangover symptoms and is utilized in this study in an attempt to quantify drug effectiveness[3]
No significant difference was found in the primary outcome of general distribution of total hangover scores; NAC median = 10; Placebo median = 13 (P = 0.45)
Summary
Ethanol and its metabolites have been found to cause issues with the natural physiologic equilibrium of the human body causing many well-known hangover symptoms[2] Due to these effects, individuals who consume large amounts of alcohol can develop a multitude of unwanted side effects that include: nausea, headache, fatigue, apathy, vomiting, weakness, dizziness, and thirst[1]. Individuals who consume large amounts of alcohol can develop a multitude of unwanted side effects that include: nausea, headache, fatigue, apathy, vomiting, weakness, dizziness, and thirst[1] Many of these negative effects are defined in the Hangover Symptoms Scale (HSS), which has been previously discussed as a way to evaluate hangover symptoms and is utilized in this study in an attempt to quantify drug effectiveness[3]. A separate study found that rats pretreated with NAC prior to ethanol ingestion had decreased oxidative stress on the liver and that NAC provided a hepatic protective e ffect[8]
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