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Is ibuprofen safe to take for a hangover?

Ibuprofen is safe to take for a hangover after the alcohol has left your system
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By | May 20, 2024 Medically reviewed by Josephine Bawab, Pharm.D.
A woman in bed with her hands on her head: Ibuprofen for hangover

Key takeaways

  • OTC NSAIDs like ibuprofen work for hangover symptoms as long as you wait until the alcohol is out of your system before taking it. 

  • The longer you wait to take ibuprofen after drinking alcohol, the safer it is since, together, they can exacerbate stress on the liver, kidneys, and stomach.

  • Hydration, healthy food, and rest make up a more comprehensive treatment plan for hangover headaches, nausea, fatigue, and other symptoms. If symptoms persist after that, ibuprofen can help.

  • Always follow the dosage directions when taking ibuprofen—up to 400 mg every four to six hours for adults.

In this article:

Last night may have seemed like a blur, but the morning has arrived in full force, and the countless drinks may be wreaking havoc on your head, stomach, and body. The dreaded hangover is a collection of symptoms that stem from the dehydration, gastrointestinal irritation, inflammation, and sleep disruption that alcohol use can cause. We’re talking about headaches, fatigue, nausea, upset stomach, heartburn, and more, all of which can seriously damper your plans for the following day.

Hangover symptoms may have you reaching into the medicine cabinet for ibuprofen. But, while this common pain reliever is good at relieving aches and pains, it might not always be the best option for a hangover cure.

Can you take ibuprofen for a hangover? 

Whether or not to take ibuprofen for a hangover depends on a matter of can versus should. Technically, you can take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like Advil, Motrin, generic ibuprofen, and naproxen the day after alcohol consumption, but should you? Not always, according to Dr. Robert Bassett, DO, FAAEM, FCCP, clinical assistant professor at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM). “Alcohol and ibuprofen mixed together can be particularly hard on the body, more specifically the liver, kidneys and stomach,” he says. “For example, ethanol is metabolized largely by the parts of the liver that also metabolize ibuprofen. When you take both together, it can overwhelm the liver’s ability to metabolize them both.”

However, it depends on when you take the ibuprofen. “If you are really, truly waiting until not only the next day but until the ethanol is no longer in your body, it’s generally regarded as safe,” says Dr. Bassett. For example, “There are a lot of people who will have a drink with dinner, and then the next morning they realize, ‘my chronic knee pain is flaring up, I’m going to take an ibuprofen,’ and that’s fine.”

Just remember that NSAIDs can also increase acid release, irritating the stomach lining and worsening gastrointestinal symptoms, according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. Plus, a recent study found that using NSAIDs and alcohol together may increase hepatotoxicity. So, it’s best to use ibuprofen sparingly when hungover, especially for people who have pre-existing liver or kidney disease or gastrointestinal problems.

Even then, stick to NSAIDs and stay away from Tylenol. Studies show that drinking alcohol can exacerbate liver damage from an acetaminophen overdose.

RELATED: 16 hangover cures that work

Is ibuprofen good for a hangover?

Many hangover symptoms involve pain and inflammation—two conditions that over-the-counter (OTC) NSAIDs are formulated to handle. As long as you wait until the alcohol is out of your system, it can work pretty well. In a 2020 study, ibuprofen and other OTC painkillers showed “strong efficacy” in treating mild-to-moderate migraines, and another study demonstrated that a particular NSAID called loxoprofen was more effective than a placebo at treating hangover headaches. However, that same study showed that NSAIDs didn’t relieve hangover-associated fatigue and nausea.

Some people might swear by a bedside bottle of ibuprofen after long nights of drinking, but it’s best to try other hangover remedies first—specifically water, food, and sleep. “Alcohol dehydrates our body,” says Dr. Ernie Vesta, M.D., medical director of Curally. “Dehydration without alcohol creates symptoms such as fatigue, headaches, and muscle aches,” he adds, so drinking water, Gatorade, or other sports drinks to rehydrate and replenish electrolytes can be helpful.

Even though nausea might make a big meal seem unappealing, eating some carbohydrates can help since drinking can lower blood sugar. Finally, get some rest. Some people think alcohol makes them sleep better since it knocks them out, but it actually reduces sleep quality, so a solid nap could work wonders.

Spending time on these methods also gives you a buffer between alcohol consumption and ibuprofen, per Dr. Bassett. “Spend some time doing these non-pharmaceutical therapies, like rehydrating, taking a nap, and making sure you’ve got some good nutritional intake,” he says. Taking that extra time will “even further mitigate some of the risks of adding ibuprofen to your treatment regimen.”

Ask a handful of regular drinkers, and you’ll probably get a range of other purported hangover cures, from certain supplements to pear juice to ginseng. According to a 2021 study, they won’t necessarily hurt, but they probably won’t help either. Some say a cup of black coffee can help sober you up, and while caffeine might give you some energy, it’s also a diuretic, which can cause further dehydration.

Just beware of the “hair of the dog” trick—having another drink in the morning to take the edge off. “Never, never, never, treat a hangover with a drink,” Dr. Vesta says. “We are creatures of habit, and that habit leads to habituation. Doctors and most people recognize this problem and call it alcohol dependence, maybe even alcoholism.”

RELATED: How to cure hangover nausea: Remedies that work

How much ibuprofen should you take for a hangover?

The recommended dosage is your best bet. For adults with mild or moderate pain, that’s up to 400 mg every four to six hours, up to 1,200 mg daily. Taking too much ibuprofen can cause side effects, gastrointestinal bleeding, and even overdose.

Ibuprofen may affect the liver, kidneys, stomach, and blood vessels and increase the risk of heart issues. So, people who have a history of stomach ulcers, high blood pressure, heart disease, liver cirrhosis, kidney disease, or stroke should talk to their healthcare provider before taking it for any condition at all, including hangovers.

How long should you wait to take ibuprofen after drinking?

There are a few variables here, so there’s not just one right answer. “Symptoms usually depend on a balance between how much you drank and how long since you stopped,” says Dr. Vesta. “So, if ibuprofen is the only anti-pain, anti-inflammatory you have on hand when facing a hangover, waiting at least until alcohol has left the stomach and you begin to think clearly is reasonable.”

Dr. Bassett says, “The longer you wait, to the point where the ethanol has been completely metabolized and is no longer in your body, the safer it is.” Alcohol can remain in the body for up to 24 hours—depending on the size of the person and the amount of alcohol—so some recovery centers recommend waiting a full day after drinking. Either way, it’s best not to make a habit of popping a few ibuprofen pills after every night out.

Taking ibuprofen before drinking generally presents the same risks. A standard dose of ibuprofen can take up to 24 hours to completely leave the body. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it should be fine if you wait a day and drink in moderation (two or fewer drinks per day for men or one drink per day for women). Otherwise, the alcohol could exacerbate common ibuprofen side effects, like stomach pain, or even serious ones, like liver and heart issues.

RELATED: How long after taking ibuprofen can you drink alcohol?

The bottom line

Anyone who’s been rendered couch-bound by a nasty hangover understands the desire for quick relief. If you take Ibuprofen or another NSAID after the alcohol has left your system, it’s usually safe. But, while it can help with headaches, it might not be the complete hangover cure you’re after. Instead, your best bet is hydration, eating a healthy meal, and rest.

Additionally, Dr. Bassett encourages anyone who sees signs of alcohol or ibuprofen toxicity to call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222. He explains, “[They are a] public-facing healthcare entity staffed with healthcare professionals 24 hours a day to be a resource for the public. They can help people make informed decisions without trying to be a lay health expert by doing a quick Google search.”