Searching for the best hangover cure for a headache? The honest answer is that nothing switches a hangover off. The US National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) says plainly that only time can help. But fluids, food, rest and the right painkiller, used carefully, can take the edge off a pounding head.
Below: what helps, which painkillers need extra care, Thai pharmacy tips, and when a headache needs a doctor.
Why your head hurts the morning after
A hangover headache usually has several causes at once. Alcohol makes you pee more, so you lose fluid and salts. It also disturbs your sleep, and it can leave your blood sugar low.
In Krabi, heat adds to it. A day in the sun before a night out can leave you short of fluid before you’ve had a drink, and dehydration on its own can cause a headache.
The best hangover cure for a headache: start with the basics
Before reaching for tablets, cover these:
- Fluids, slowly. Water or oral rehydration salts (ORS), which every Thai pharmacy sells. The NHS headache advice starts with drink plenty of water. Sip steadily rather than gulping.
- Food. The NHS also advises not to skip meals when you have a headache. Something plain and a little salty, like rice soup or toast, is a good start.
- Rest somewhere cool and dark. Air conditioning and closed curtains help.
- Don’t drink more alcohol. It might numb things briefly, but it delays the hangover and the NHS lists alcohol as something to avoid with a headache.
Caffeine: a little care
Coffee is tempting, and a small cup might feel good. But the NIAAA notes that coffee won’t stop a hangover, and the NHS advises avoiding caffeinated drinks when you’re dehydrated. If you do have coffee, have it after water and food, and keep it to one cup. Skip energy drinks, which can be high in both caffeine and sugar.
Hangover cure tablets: paracetamol vs ibuprofen and aspirin
Over-the-counter painkillers can help a hangover headache, but alcohol changes the picture. Here’s what reputable sources say.
Paracetamol (acetaminophen)
The NHS says you can usually drink alcohol while taking paracetamol at normal doses. But the same page says paracetamol may not be suitable if you binge drink (drink heavily over a short period), are dependent on alcohol, or have liver problems. The NIAAA warns that the combination of alcohol and acetaminophen can be toxic to the liver.
If you take it, stick to the dose on the packet. For 500 mg tablets, the NHS says to leave at least 4 hours between doses and take no more than 8 in 24 hours. Don’t take it alongside other medicines that contain paracetamol, such as many cold and flu remedies.
Ibuprofen and aspirin
These anti-inflammatory painkillers are harder on the stomach. The NIAAA notes they can increase acid and irritate the stomach lining, which is already upset after drinking. The NHS advises taking ibuprofen and aspirin ideally with or after food, and to avoid or limit alcohol with them because it can increase the risk of side effects. Serious side effects listed include stomach ulcers and bleeding.
The NHS says ibuprofen isn’t suitable for everyone, including people who have had a stomach ulcer, some people with asthma, and those with heart, liver or kidney problems. Aspirin should never be given to anyone under 16.
Which is better?
There’s no single right answer. After heavy drinking both types have downsides, so be honest with a pharmacist about how much you drank. If you’re being sick, see our guide to hangover nausea and vomiting first.
Hangover cure over the counter: Thai pharmacy tips
Ao Nang has plenty of pharmacies, and many pharmacists speak some English. A few tips:
- Check the active ingredient, not the brand. Brand names in Thailand are often different from home. Look for the generic name on the box (paracetamol, ibuprofen) and the strength in milligrams.
- Don’t double up. Combination cold and flu products can contain paracetamol too.
- Tell the pharmacist how much you drank, plus any health conditions and medicines you take.
- Bring your usual medicine names. A photo of the box from home helps.
When a drip can help a hangover headache
If water and tablets aren’t working, or you’re too nauseous to keep either down, a drip may help. Our Hangover Rescue drip combines a litre of saline with electrolytes, B-complex and vitamin C. If the nurse assesses that it’s suitable, it can also include pain relief and anti-nausea medicine.
A registered nurse screens you first, including what you drank and any painkillers you’ve already taken, so nothing is doubled up. The drip helps with dehydration and headache, but it won’t make a hangover end sooner. You can come to the clinic or book a drip at your hotel.
When to go to hospital instead
Most hangover headaches fade by the end of the day. Based on NHS headache guidance, call 1669 or go to hospital straight away if the headache:
- Came on suddenly and is extremely painful
- Comes with a seizure, confusion or drowsiness
- Comes with difficulty speaking, walking, balancing or remembering things
- Follows a head injury (a fall or knock on a night out counts)
- Comes with a very high temperature, a stiff neck, or a rash that doesn’t fade when you press a glass on it
See a doctor soon if your headache comes with vision problems, keeps you vomiting, gets worse when you cough or bend, or isn’t improving after a day. The nearest hospitals are Wattanapat Hospital Ao Nang, Bangkok Hospital Krabi and Krabi Hospital.
Frequently asked questions
What is the fastest way to get rid of a hangover headache?
Nothing works instantly. Sipping water or ORS, eating something plain, resting somewhere cool and, if suitable for you, a painkiller at the right dose are the most sensible steps.
Can I take paracetamol after drinking alcohol?
The NHS says normal drinking is usually fine with paracetamol at standard doses, but it may not be suitable if you’ve been binge drinking or have liver problems. Never take more than the packet dose. If unsure, ask a pharmacist.
Is ibuprofen OK for a hangover?
It may irritate an already upset stomach. Take it with or after food, avoid more alcohol, and skip it if you’ve had a stomach ulcer.
When is a hangover headache something more serious?
If it’s sudden and severe, follows a knock to the head, or comes with confusion, a stiff neck, high fever, a rash or trouble speaking, get emergency help on 1669.
Ready to feel better?
A registered nurse can come to your hotel or villa in Ao Nang and nearby beaches, or visit our clinic.
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