How to Help Stomach Pain After Drinking

Last Updated: December 6, 2022 References

Some supposed hangover cures are so unpleasant that they were probably invented to prank your friends. Maybe your distant ancestors were that desperate, but those suckers didn't even have pharmacies. There are plenty of gentle remedies that will actually make you feel better and help you recover from a morning of nausea and indigestion.

Here are 10 effective remedies for getting rid of stomach pain after drinking.

1

Sip soothing drinks.

Water, broth, sports drinks or ginger tea can help. Nausea and mild stomach pain after a night of drinking is usually caused by an irritated stomach lining and too much acid in the stomach.^{[1]
X
Research source} These soothing drinks will help get your stomach back to normal:
- Plain water often does the job by itself. Sip as slowly as you need to.
- Thin vegetable broth or an isotonic sports drink treat multiple issues at once by restoring some salt to your system as you hydrate.
- Ginger tea is a common folk remedy for nausea with some decent evidence behind it, though a few unlucky people react the opposite way.^{[2]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  PubMed Central
  Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health
  Go to source}

2

Nibble on bland carbohydrates.

Plain toast or crackers help you recover. These foods settle your stomach and also help fix the trembling and low energy that comes from low blood sugar.^{[3]
X
Trustworthy Source
Mayo Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
Go to source} Eat as slowly as you need to to avoid a rush of nausea or vomiting.

3

Take fizzy or sugary drinks only for nausea and acid reflux.

These drinks worsen pain, but may help with nausea. Sparkling water or other carbonated drinks are a common home remedy for nausea and acid reflux, but can make indigestion and other stomach pain worse. Similarly, the sugars in fruit juice or soda can settle an upset stomach and help with other hangover symptoms, but it's best to avoid them while you are in pain.^{[4]
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Research source}
- Carbonated drinks, and especially sodas, can be quite acidic. However, this has surprisingly little effect on acid reflux and overall stomach acidity for most people.^{[5]
  X
  Research source} Some people do react badly, so start with small sips and see how it goes.
- Avoid caffeine and dairy products. These drinks can worsen stomach pain and nausea after a night of drinking.^{[6]
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  Research source}

4

Take over-the-counter meds for heartburn or indigestion.

Antacids or acid blockers treat these common issues. These medications can provide quick relief, and are also safe to use for symptoms lasting a few days.^{[7]
X
Trustworthy Source
Mayo Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
Go to source} As with any drug, don't take more than one at a time before talking to your doctor. Here's a quick guide:
- Antacids are widely available and work okay. The options that contain sodium bicarbonate (such as Alka-Seltzer) are less effective but have fewer side effects.^{[8]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  David Schechter, MD
  Family Medicine Practitioner
  Expert Interview. 15 July 2020.}^{[9]
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  Research source}
- H2 histamine blockers (also called acid blockers) are a great choice. Ask a pharmacist or look for the generic drug names cimetidine, ranitidine, nizatidine, or famotidine.^{[10]
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  Research source}
- Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) like omeprazole are great for multi-day symptoms, but not so much for immediate relief.^{[11]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  Harvard Medical School
  Harvard Medical School's Educational Site for the Public
  Go to source}
- If these drugs have no effect on your stomach pain, or if the symptoms don't go away within a few days, see a doctor.

5

Try baking soda if you don't have access to medicine.

Baking soda is a mediocre but easy to find antacid. If you can't make it to the pharmacy, this antacid might be sitting in your kitchen. This isn't as effective as most other antacids, but it helps a little with heartburn or indigestion from too much stomach acid.^{[12]
X
Research source} Try half a teaspoon (3 mL) of baking soda mixed into half a cup (125 mL) of water.^{[13]
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Research source}
- This is only recommended as a short-term home remedy. It is not safe for people on medically necessary low-sodium diets, and it can make it harder to absorb other prescription medicine.

6

Take a vitamin B6 tablet.

Vitamin B6 can help, but is best taken the night before. In one study, people who took vitamin B6 throughout a night of drinking avoided half of their hangover symptoms.^{[14]
X
Research source} It won't work miracles once you've already reached the regretful morning, but it can still help a little.^{[15]
X
Trustworthy Source
PubMed Central
Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health
Go to source} If nothing else, you're restoring a nutrient often depleted by alcohol.^{[16]
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Research source}
- A 10mg dose is plenty for most people. High doses can cause nausea, heartburn, or more serious symptoms, but this is rare unless you're taking 200+ mg, or taking high daily doses for months.^{[17]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  National Health Service (UK)
  Public healthcare system of the UK
  Go to source}^{[18]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  Mayo Clinic
  Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
  Go to source}

7

Choose acetaminophen over NSAIDs.

Aspirin and ibuprofen can irritate your stomach. Many people turn to these painkillers to help with a pounding hangover headache. But if your stomach is in pain, avoid drugs that irritate it further like aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, and other NSAIDs. Small doses of acetaminophen (also known as paracetamol or Tylenol) are a better choice while your stomach is hurting.^{[19]
X
Trustworthy Source
Harvard Medical School
Harvard Medical School's Educational Site for the Public
Go to source}
- Warning: acetaminophen can damage your liver, as does alcohol. If you are a heavy drinker or frequently have hangovers, this is not a good solution. Talk to your doctor about treatments that can protect your stomach and make NSAIDs a safer option.^{[20]
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  Research source}

8

Avoid trigger foods if pain lasts more than a day.

A "gastritis diet" can treat persistent pain or bloating. Alcohol use can trigger acute gastritis, a painful inflammation of your stomach lining. Gnawing or burning stomach pain, feeling bloated or full, and symptoms that feel either better or worse after eating can all point to gastritis.^{[21]
X
Trustworthy Source
National Health Service (UK)
Public healthcare system of the UK
Go to source} Changing your diet can help:^{[22]
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Trustworthy Source
Cleveland Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
Go to source}
- Stick with easy-to-digest foods such as lean meats, rice, potatoes, and steamed vegetables for a few days.
- Foods that trigger pain or indigestion vary between people, but it's a good idea to avoid spicy, fatty, and acidic foods, as well as caffeine and alcohol.
- Try to avoid large meals, and don't lie down for a couple hours after you eat.

9

Visit the doctor for severe or long-term pain.

Pain lasting a week or more should be treated professionally. Sometimes, alcohol use (along with stress and other factors) can damage your stomach lining enough to cause an ulcer or leave it vulnerable to a bacterial infection by H. pylori. A doctor can diagnosis this and prescribe you with antibiotics or other medication as needed.^{[23]
X
Expert Source

David Schechter, MD
Family Medicine Practitioner
Expert Interview. 15 July 2020.}^{[24]
X
Trustworthy Source
National Health Service (UK)
Public healthcare system of the UK
Go to source}
- Consult a doctor immediately if you vomit blood, have blood in your stool (especially black blood), or if the pain is severe.^{[25]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  National Health Service (UK)
  Public healthcare system of the UK
  Go to source}

10

Seek emergency help for symptoms of severe pancreatitis.

Severe, central stomach pain and fever are danger signs. Large amounts of drinking is linked to inflammation of the pancreas, and the effects range from a few days of mild pain to a life-threatening issue.^{[26]
X
Research source} Call emergency services if you have severe pain that matches these descriptions:^{[27]
X
Trustworthy Source
National Health Service (UK)
Public healthcare system of the UK
Go to source}
- Pain (and sometimes tenderness or swelling) in the center of your stomach, which can worsen and travel up your back
- Pain that worsens when you lie down flat or eat fatty foods^{[28]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  National Health Service (UK)
  Public healthcare system of the UK
  Go to source} (bending over, lying on your side, or curling up can help with this)^{[29]
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  Research source}
- Pain along with fever, yellowed eyes (or other signs of jaundice), and/or a fast heartbeat

Expert Q&A

Question

How do you treat stomach pain from drinking?

David Schechter, MD
Family Medicine Practitioner
Dr. David Schechter is a physician in Culver City, California. With over 25 years of experience as a family and sports medicine physician, Dr. Schechter specializes in mind-body medicine, preventive medicine, and chronic pain. Dr. Schechter received his MD from New York University and is an attending physician at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. He was named a Top Doctor by Los Angeles Magazine and Men's Health Magazine. He has also written several books, including The MindBody Workbook.

David Schechter, MD

Family Medicine Practitioner

Expert Answer

Try taking an antacid to reduce your stomach pain. If your stomach continues to hurt or the pain becomes severe, you may need to see a doctor.