Hangover remedies: what actually helps, and what doesn't

Health advice ·Published 17 October 2026 ·Reviewed 17 October 2026

Written by the Priceline Pharmacy Pacific Fair team. Reviewed by Jason Markey, BPharmSci, MPharm, Owner and Pharmacist, Ahpra registration PHA0001976405.

General health information from a registered pharmacist. It doesn’t replace advice from your own pharmacist or doctor. How we write and check our articles.

There’s no quick fix for a hangover. Only time clears alcohol from your body, at a rate of about one standard drink an hour. What does help is drinking water or an oral rehydration drink, eating something simple, going back to sleep, and taking pain relief for a headache if it suits you. More alcohol, coffee, cold showers and “sweating it out” won’t speed anything up. And remember you could still be over the limit to drive the next morning.

Broadbeach and Surfers Paradise are some of the Gold Coast’s busiest nightlife spots, so here’s a pharmacist’s guide to getting through the morning after, and to staying safe on the night.

What causes a hangover?

A hangover is your body’s reaction to too much alcohol. The Better Health Channel explains that alcohol:

• makes you urinate more, which leads to dehydration;
• triggers an inflammatory response from your immune system;
• irritates your stomach lining;
• can make your blood sugar drop;
• widens your blood vessels.

As your body breaks alcohol down, it also produces acetaldehyde, a toxic chemical. Drinking on an empty stomach, sleeping badly, smoking and dark spirits such as rum or whiskey can all make a hangover worse. Some people get a hangover from just one drink. Most hangovers clear up within 24 hours.

What actually helps a hangover?

• Rehydrate. Sip water or fruit juice. An oral rehydration solution from the pharmacy or supermarket can help if you’re dehydrated. Skip sugary soft drinks and sports drinks, coffee and more alcohol. If you have diabetes, check with your doctor before using rehydration products.
• Eat something simple. Plain foods such as toast or soup are easier on a sore stomach.
• Sleep. Going back to bed is one of the best things you can do.
• Pain relief for a headache. A standard dose of paracetamol may ease a headache. Aspirin and anti-inflammatories such as ibuprofen can irritate a stomach that alcohol has already upset, and can cause stomach bleeding and ulcers when mixed with alcohol, so they’re best avoided after a big night.

Never take more than the dose on the label. If you drink heavily on a regular basis, or have liver problems, talk to a pharmacist before taking paracetamol. Our pharmacists can also help you choose a rehydration product. Always read the label and follow the directions for use.

What won’t sober you up faster?

• “Hair of the dog.” More alcohol will only make you feel worse.
• Coffee, cold showers or exercise. They may help you feel a bit better, but the Alcohol and Drug Foundation says they won’t clear alcohol from your body any faster or lower your blood alcohol level.

How can I avoid a hangover next time?

• Eat before and while you drink.
• Have a glass of water between alcoholic drinks.
• Count your drinks. A standard drink contains 10 grams of alcohol, which is about 285 mL of full-strength beer, 100 mL of wine or 30 mL of spirits. An average restaurant glass of red wine (150 mL) is about 1.6 standard drinks, and a 375 mL can of 5% premixed spirits is about 1.5 (stronger cans can be over 2).
• Know the guidelines. To reduce the risk of harm, Australia’s alcohol guidelines say healthy adults should drink no more than 10 standard drinks a week and no more than 4 on any one day. People under 18 shouldn’t drink alcohol.

Mixing alcohol with medicines

Alcohol can interact with prescription, over-the-counter and herbal medicines, and the effects can happen whenever there’s alcohol in your body. Some examples:

• Drowsy antihistamines, found in some allergy, cold and flu, and travel sickness medicines, can make you even drowsier.
• Sleeping tablets, anxiety medicines and strong pain relievers can be dangerous with alcohol and can lead to overdose.
• Some antibiotics can cause nausea, flushing, headaches and a racing heart when mixed with alcohol, and you may need to wait a few days after finishing the course before you drink. Read our guide to alcohol and antibiotics.

Whenever you start a new medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist whether it’s safe to drink.

Driving the morning after

In Queensland, open licence holders must be under 0.05. Learner, P-plate, probationary and restricted licence holders must have no alcohol at all, and so must taxi, rideshare, bus and truck drivers while they’re driving those vehicles. After a heavy night you could still be over the limit the next morning, and only time brings your blood alcohol down. If you’re in doubt, don’t drive.

Signs of alcohol poisoning

Alcohol poisoning is a life-threatening emergency. Call 000 if someone who has been drinking has:

• confusion;
• vomiting;
• seizures;
• slow or irregular breathing;
• pale or blue-tinged skin;
• a low body temperature;
• passed out and can’t be woken.

While you wait for the ambulance, if they’re breathing normally, put them in the recovery position. Don’t leave them alone, don’t make them vomit, and don’t give them food or drink. Don’t assume someone who isn’t responding is just asleep. Don’t let worry about the police stop you calling 000. Paramedics are there to help.

Drink spiking: know the signs

Drink spiking, when someone adds alcohol or drugs to another person’s drink without their consent, is a serious criminal offence in Queensland. Queensland Police list these warning signs:

• feeling dizzy, sick or much more affected by alcohol than you’d expect;
• sudden drowsiness, confusion or loss of coordination;
• waking up with little or no memory of what happened;
• a drink that tastes, looks or smells different.

Never leave your drink unattended, watch it being poured, and don’t accept an open drink from anyone. If you or a friend feel unusually drunk very quickly, tell a friend or venue staff straight away and don’t leave the person alone. Call 000 in an emergency, or Policelink on 131 444 to report it.

Broadbeach and Surfers Paradise are both Safe Night Precincts, a Queensland Government initiative to reduce late-night alcohol and drug-related violence, with ID scanners at many late-night venues.

Drinking overseas: watch for methanol

If you’re heading to Bali, Thailand or elsewhere in Asia, be careful with cocktails, jugs, buckets and shots. Smartraveller warns that methanol, a toxic alcohol sometimes found in counterfeit or homemade drinks, can kill: “As little as one shot can be fatal.” Methanol poisoning can feel like a bad hangover, but worse, and symptoms can take 12 to 24 hours to appear. A hangover that’s worse than it should be or gets worse over time, or any changes to your vision, need urgent medical care. Stick to branded, sealed drinks. See our vaccinations for Bali guide for more on travelling safely.

When to see a pharmacist or GP

Talk to our pharmacists about rehydration products, pain relief, or whether alcohol is safe with your medicines.

See a GP if you often feel unwell after drinking, if you’re worried about how much you drink, or if a hangover isn’t improving after a day. For free, confidential advice any time, call Adis 24/7 Alcohol and Drug Support on 1800 177 833. Call 000 for signs of alcohol poisoning or any emergency.

Frequently asked questions

What’s the best thing to take for a hangover?

Water or an oral rehydration drink, something simple to eat, sleep and, if you need it, a standard dose of paracetamol for a headache. Ask our pharmacists if you’re not sure what suits you.

Can I take ibuprofen for a hangover?

It’s best avoided. Anti-inflammatories such as ibuprofen and aspirin can irritate your stomach, and combined with alcohol they can cause stomach bleeding and ulcers. Paracetamol is usually the better choice, taken as directed.

Do electrolyte drinks help a hangover?

An oral rehydration solution can help if you’re dehydrated. Sugary sports drinks and soft drinks aren’t ideal when you’re dehydrated.

How long does a hangover last?

Usually up to 24 hours. If you still feel unwell after a day, see a GP.

Can I drive the morning after drinking?

Not if there’s any chance you’re still over the limit. Only time lowers your blood alcohol. If you’re on your L or P plates, the limit is zero.

Feeling rough after a big night? Pop in to Pacific Fair and ask our pharmacists. No appointment needed.

This article is general information only and isn’t a substitute for personal advice from your doctor or pharmacist. Always read the label and follow the directions for use. If symptoms persist or you’re worried, talk to your pharmacist or GP. In an emergency, call 000.