Not Hootie, but Alka-Seltzer's Combo of Aspirin, Caffiene and Antacid

A hangover is a collection of symptoms that emerge when alcohol’s intoxicating effects start to wear off. Research on hangover treatments is scarce, but alcohol is thought to trigger an inflammatory response – a process blocked by non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like aspirin. The inflammatory response is similar to the body’s defense against flu, and is linked to lethargy – an energy lull boosted by caffeine. Finally, the chemicals produced by the body to break alcohol down are hard on the stomach – collateral damage tempered by an antacid.

On a more basic level:

Water - replacement of the dehydrating effect of alcohol.
NSAID pain reliever - Aspirin or ibuprofen . . . not acetamenophen
Coffee, taken with the pain reliever


A researcher suggests that the timing of the pain relievers depends on how much you drank. Taking them right away works if you've only had a little to drink . . . but if you've consumed more, then wait (4 -6 hours) since you want to match the time of the maxiumum pain relief with the acetate which causes the headache from the alcohol in your system