How to Cure Stomach Pain After Drinking Alcohol

Some folk remedies for hangovers are so annoying that it’s almost like a prank on friends. Maybe it’s because in the old days people didn’t have a better way, not even a pharmacy. Fortunately, there are many soothing therapies that can actually help you feel better and cure morning sickness and indigestion.

Here are 10 effective remedies for stomach pain after drinking alcohol.

Table of Contents

Use stomach-soothing drinks

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Water, broth, sports drinks, or ginger tea may help. Feeling nauseous and a little upset after a night of drinking is often caused by an irritated stomach lining and too much acid in the stomach. ^{[1] X Research Source} The following drinks will help get your stomach back to normal:

Filtered water is usually enough to work without anything else. Take small sips as slowly as you like.
Vegetable broths or isotonic sports drinks help treat many problems at once by replacing some of the salt in the body.
Ginger tea is a folk remedy that has scientific evidence to support it, although some people have unfortunately had the opposite reaction. ^{[2] X Trusted Source PubMed Central Go to Source}

Sip on some light carbohydrates

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Plain bread or cookies can help you recover. These foods help to stabilize the stomach, and also help the body to reduce shivering and low energy due to low blood sugar. ^{[3] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source} You should eat slowly to avoid nausea or vomiting.

Drink carbonated water or sugary drinks only when needed to treat nausea and GERD

Take over-the-counter medications for heartburn or indigestion

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Antacids or acid-suppressing medications can provide quick relief and can be used safely for symptoms that last for several days. ^{[7] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to the source} As with all medications, don’t take more than one medicine at a time without consulting your doctor. Here’s a quick guide:

Antacids are widely available and work quite well. Drugs containing sodium bicarbonate (such as Alka-Seltzer) are less effective but have fewer side effects. ^{[8] X Research Sources}
H2 antihistamines (also called acid blockers) are a very good choice. Ask your pharmacist or look for generics with names such as cimetidine, ranitidine, nizatidine, or famotidine. ^{[9] X Research Source}
Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) such as omeprazpe are very effective for symptoms that last for several days but are not very effective at providing rapid pain relief. ^{[10] X Harvard Medical Schop Trusted Source Go to Source}
If these medications don’t help with your stomach upset or your symptoms don’t go away after a few days, see your doctor.

Try baking soda if you don’t have it

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Baking soda is not very effective at antacids, but it’s easy to find. If you can’t get to the pharmacy, try finding a solution in your kitchen at home. While not as effective as most other antacids, baking soda can help with heartburn or indigestion caused by increased stomach acid. ^{[11] X Research Source} Mix half a teaspoon (3 mL) of baking soda with half a cup (120 mL) of water. ^{[12] X Research Source}

Baking soda is only recommended as a short-term home remedy. This therapy is not safe for people who need to be on a low-sodium diet and may interfere with the absorption of other prescription medications.

Take vitamin B6 tablets

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Vitamin B6 can help, but it’s best taken the night before. One study found that people who took vitamin B6 overnight were able to avoid half of the symptoms of binge drinking. ^{[13] X Research Source} This isn’t a miracle cure if you’re already into the unfortunate morning, but it does help a bit. ^{[14] X Trusted Source PubMed Central Go to the source} Usually you will make up for the nutrients lost due to alcohol. ^{[15] X Research Source}

A dosage of 10mg is enough for most people. High doses can cause nausea, heartburn or more severe symptoms, but this is very rare unless you take 200+ mg, or take high doses daily for many months. ^{[16] X Trusted Source National Health Service (UK) Go to Source}^{[17] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source}

Choose acetaminophen over nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)

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Aspirin and ibuprofen can irritate the stomach. Many people turn to these pain relievers to help relieve a pounding headache after a day of drinking. But if you have an upset stomach, avoid irritants like aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, and other NSAIDs. Acetaminophen (also known as paracetamp or Tylenp) in low doses is a better choice when an upset stomach is present. ^{[18] X Trusted Source Harvard Medical Schop Go to Source}

Warning: acetaminophen can damage the liver, as can alcohol. If you often get drunk and feel uncomfortable the next day, this is not a good solution. Ask your doctor about treatments that can protect your stomach and make NSAIDs safer. ^{[19] X Research Source}

Avoid irritating foods if the pain persists for more than a day

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A gastritis diet can treat persistent stomach pain and bloating. Alcohol can cause acute gastritis, a painful inflammation of the stomach lining. A nagging or burning pain in the stomach, bloating or gas, and symptoms that get better or worse after eating can all be signs of gastritis. ^{[20] X Trusted Source National Health Service (UK) Go to Source} Changing your diet can help: ^{[21] X Trusted Source Cleveland Clinic Go to Source}

Stick to easy-to-digest foods like lean meats, rice, potatoes, and steamed vegetables for a few days.
Foods that trigger pain or indigestion can vary from person to person, but you should avoid spicy, fatty and acidic foods as well as caffeine and alcohol.
Try to avoid full meals, and don’t lie down for several hours after eating.

See a doctor if you have severe or persistent stomach pain

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Pain that lasts a week or more requires medical treatment. Sometimes, alcohol (along with stress and other factors) can damage the stomach lining to the point of ulceration or make it more susceptible to H. pylori infection. Your doctor can diagnose and prescribe antibiotics or other medications if needed. ^{[22] X Trusted Source National Health Service (UK) Go to Source}

Call your doctor right away if you vomit blood, have blood in your stools (especially black stools), or if the pain is severe. ^{[23] X Trusted Source National Health Service (UK) Go to Source}

Go to the emergency room right away if you have severe symptoms of pancreatitis

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Severe pain in the mid-abdomen and fever are danger signs. Heavy drinking has been linked to pancreatitis, and the illness can range from a few days of mild pain to life-threatening. ^{[24] X Research Source} Call your doctor if you have severe abdominal pain as described below: ^{[25] X Trusted Source National Health Service (UK) Go to source}

Pain (and sometimes tenderness or swelling) in the mid-abdomen, which worsens with back elevation
Pain that gets worse when lying flat or eating fatty foods ^{[26] XTrusted Source National Health Service (UK) Go to the source} (bends, sides or curls can help) pain) ^{[27] X Research Source}
Abdominal pain with fever, yellow eyes (or other signs of jaundice) and/or heart palpitations

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