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Could a patch have spared her from this hangover? Image Source/Getty ImagesPreparing for a night of celebration or a bar-hopping adventure? Consider grabbing a hangover patch to avoid the dreaded, unpleasant hangover the following day.
Several brands, such as Bytox and RallyPatch, offer patches that should be applied to clean, dry skin before drinking. However, it’s hard to believe that a simple adhesive solution can effectively ward off the pounding headache, queasiness, and overall discomfort typically associated with a hangover.
The Science Behind the Patch
Hangovers occur when excessive alcohol consumption depletes essential nutrients. Alcohol acts as a diuretic, increasing urination and flushing out vital nutrients, leading to dehydration that can be uncomfortable or even harmful.
The depletion of nutrients, such as the vitamin B complex, adversely affects the central nervous system. Hangover patches aim to replenish the body with essential vitamins and minerals, helping to maintain nutrient levels during and after drinking. For instance, RallyPatch is a transdermal patch designed to be applied before drinking, though instructions suggest it can also be used during or after alcohol consumption.
The patch is "infused with natural vitamins that release gradually over 24 hours to alleviate hangover symptoms," explains Brad Parker, co-founder of RallyPatch, in an email interview. It contains Vitamins A, C, D, E, B1 (thiamine), B2 (riboflavin), B3 (niacin), B6, B9 (folate), B12, B5 (pantothenic acid), green tea extract, milk thistle, and more. "This unique blend effectively combats headaches and nausea, with milk thistle providing liver and brain protection during alcohol consumption," Parker adds.
Do They Actually Work?
The effectiveness of hangover patches remains uncertain, as no clinical studies have been conducted on them, to the best of our knowledge.
"The components in these patches are typically found in multivitamins," explains Richard Honaker, M.D., chief medical officer at Your Doctors Online, via email. "From a medical research perspective, there’s no scientific proof supporting their efficacy. Additionally, there’s limited evidence that vitamins can be absorbed through the skin. Therefore, the concept of delivering them via a patch likely relies more on a placebo effect, in my view."
While not a formal scientific experiment, Mytour asked our social media manager, Khiry Clements, to test a RallyPatch sample. He applied the patch before consuming alcohol on a work night, totaling two shots and one drink, equivalent to 9 ounces (266 milliliters) of alcohol.
"The experience felt typical—like any other night of drinking and waking up the next morning. It appeared to work," Clements shared. "If I anticipate a night of heavy drinking, I’d likely use it again."
It’s also worth noting that such products aren’t subject to the same rigorous FDA scrutiny as medications. "Since RallyPatch isn’t designed to prevent, diagnose, cure, or treat any medical condition, the FDA doesn’t evaluate its claims," the company’s website explains. "However, RallyPatch is produced at an FDA-regulated pharmaceutical facility that follows strict quality control standards."
Minimizing Hangover Symptoms
Regardless of whether hangover patches work for you, there are several strategies to alleviate next-day discomfort.
- Drink alcohol in moderation and stay hydrated by consuming plenty of water to offset alcohol’s dehydrating effects.
- Avoid drinking on an empty stomach, and ensure your pre-drinking meal includes fats or carbohydrates, which slow alcohol absorption.
- Be selective with your drinks. Dark-colored alcohols like red wine, whiskey, and brandy contain compounds called congeners, which are associated with worse hangovers. Opt for lighter options like white wine, vodka, or gin, which lack congeners.
- The following morning, eat a nutritious breakfast to stabilize blood sugar levels. Include antioxidant-rich foods like berries, spinach, nuts, or dark chocolate to help repair alcohol-related damage. While some recommend rehydration drinks like sports beverages, their effectiveness remains scientifically unproven.
Certain medications, such as those for stomach discomfort or ibuprofen for inflammation, are safe to use as directed during a hangover. However, avoid any product containing acetaminophen (like Tylenol), as it can cause severe liver damage when combined with alcohol.
