Despite the clear need for an effective hangover treatment, only a limited number of potential hangover treatments have been scientifically investigated. These studies were often based on currently outdated theories on the pathology of the alcohol hangover. It is therefore not surprising that these studies showed that products comprised solely of electrolytes and vitamins were not effective in the treatment of hangovers.
A study on tolfenamic acid, an inhibitor of prostaglandins (lipid compounds that control processes such as inflammation), found significant reductions in headache, nausea, vomiting, and irritation. Other studies revealed that prickly pear (Opuntia ficus indica, nopal powder extract) reduces some of the hangover symptoms and prevented severe hangovers. Its effect is presumably caused by counteracting the inflammatory response produced by alcohol consumption. That is, the findings were supported by assessments of biomarkers of immune functioning in the blood (c-reactive protein), which was highly elevated in the hangover state, but remained unchanged after prickly pear was administered. These studies support the idea that the immune system is involved in the pathology of the alcohol hangover, and that products that modulate the inflammatory response to alcohol consumption may be effective hangover treatments.