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Best Hangover Cures Ranked: IV, Pedialyte, Hair of the Dog & More
The fastest, most reliable hangover cure is IV hydration therapy, which delivers fluids, electrolytes, B vitamins and anti-nausea medication straight into your bloodstream for relief that usually starts within 30-60 minutes. Everything else, from Pedialyte to “hair of the dog,” helps in smaller ways or not at all. Below we rank 10 popular remedies from evidence-backed to mostly myth, so you know what to reach for the morning after.
A hangover is not one problem, which is why one fix rarely covers it. Alcohol dehydrates you, triggers inflammation, floods your system with a toxic byproduct called acetaldehyde, tanks your blood sugar, wrecks sleep quality and irritates your stomach lining. The best remedies address several of those at once.
What actually causes a hangover?
- Dehydration from alcohol’s diuretic effect, which also depletes electrolytes.
- Inflammation as your immune system reacts to heavy drinking.
- Acetaldehyde buildup, the toxic compound your liver makes while processing alcohol.
- Blood sugar swings that leave you shaky and foggy.
- Poor sleep, since alcohol fragments deep, restorative rest.
- Stomach irritation that fuels nausea and queasiness.
Best hangover cures ranked (1-10)
1. IV hydration therapy — 10/10
IV therapy hits nearly every driver of a hangover at once: a full bag of fluids and electrolytes for dehydration, B vitamins for energy, and anti-nausea medication like Zofran for the stomach. Because it bypasses your gut, absorption is close to 100% and relief typically begins within 30-60 minutes. DripWell’s Hangover Cure drip is $199, administered by a licensed RN at our Bedford studio, your home, or your hotel.
2. Electrolyte drinks (Pedialyte, Liquid IV) — 7/10
Pedialyte and similar mixes genuinely help by replacing the sodium, potassium and magnesium alcohol flushes out. The catch is speed and dose: you are drinking through a queasy stomach, and it works gradually over 2-4 hours. A solid first move, but slower and less complete than an IV.
3. Sleep — 7/10
Rest is when your body finishes metabolizing alcohol and repairs the damage. It is genuinely restorative, but it is passive and slow, and not always an option when you have a day to get through.
4. B vitamins + NAC — 6/10
Alcohol depletes B vitamins, and NAC (N-acetylcysteine) may support the liver as it clears acetaldehyde. Helpful as support, though oral supplements absorb inconsistently on an upset stomach.
5. Food (carbs and protein) — 5/10
A balanced meal stabilizes blood sugar. Eggs are a smart pick thanks to cysteine, which may aid acetaldehyde breakdown. Useful, but it does nothing for dehydration.
6. Coffee — 4/10
Caffeine can dull a headache by constricting blood vessels and may sharpen your focus, but it is also a diuretic that can deepen dehydration. Fine in moderation with plenty of water alongside.
7. Pain relievers — 4/10
Ibuprofen (an NSAID) tackles inflammation and headache better than acetaminophen, which taxes an already-busy liver. Use sparingly and never combine acetaminophen with alcohol still in your system.
8. Greasy food — 3/10
The classic greasy breakfast is comfort, not medicine. Eaten before drinking it may slow alcohol absorption, but the morning after it mostly just sits there.
9. Hair of the dog — 2/10
Drinking more alcohol simply delays withdrawal by re-numbing your system. You are postponing the hangover, not curing it, and setting up a worse one later.
10. Detox supplements — 1/10
“Detox” and “cleanse” blends lean on marketing language with little evidence-based backing. Your liver and kidneys already detox you; save your money.
How to actually beat a hangover
Match your strategy to the situation:
- Prevention: eat before you drink, alternate each drink with water, and take B vitamins before bed.
- Mild hangover: electrolyte drink, B vitamins, bland food and rest will usually get you there.
- Severe or time-sensitive hangover: IV therapy is the fastest reset; if that is not available, layer electrolytes, sleep and bland food.
When you cannot afford to lose the day, IV therapy is worth it. DripWell brings a licensed RN to you across Bedford, Manchester, Nashua, Concord and southern New Hampshire, usually with confirmation within an hour and a visit that runs about 45 minutes door to door. It is also FSA/HSA eligible.
Explore the full IV drip menu and vitamin injections, or see where we serve on our locations page. Ready now? Book your Hangover Cure drip.
Frequently asked questions.
What is the fastest hangover cure?
IV hydration therapy is the fastest option. It delivers fluids, electrolytes, B vitamins and anti-nausea medication directly into your bloodstream, so most people feel relief within 30-60 minutes. DripWell's Hangover Cure drip is $199, administered in-home or at our Bedford studio by a licensed RN.
Does Pedialyte really help a hangover?
Yes. Pedialyte replaces the sodium, potassium and magnesium alcohol depletes, which can ease headache and fatigue. It works gradually over a few hours, so it is a good first step but slower and less complete than an IV.
Why doesn't hair of the dog work?
Drinking more alcohol only masks symptoms by delaying withdrawal. It postpones the hangover rather than curing it and typically leads to a worse crash later, plus more dehydration.
Is IV therapy worth the cost for a hangover?
If you need to be functional fast, yes. For time-sensitive mornings, a $199 Hangover Cure drip can restore hydration and settle nausea in under an hour, and it is FSA/HSA eligible. DripWell can often confirm within an hour and be at your door across southern New Hampshire.
Feeling it? Book a drip.
Licensed RN, FSA/HSA eligible, at your door or our Bedford studio.