Zofran for Hangovers: Can It Help?

Last night’s fun celebration can all too often lead to an unpleasant hangover in the morning. While you can’t change how you got here (and would you really want to?), you can take action to limit the hangover fallout. Nausea and vomiting are two of the most common symptoms of a hangover. Fortunately, you may be able to ease your troubled tummy with a common medication called Zofran®.

Zofran for hangovers is growing in popularity. Though the drug wasn’t initially created as a hangover cure, it’s being used more and more for this purpose. Does Zofran really help a hangover? And if so, how does it work? Let’s find out.

What Is Zofran?

Zofran is the commercial name of ondansetron, a class of medications called antiemetics. Zofran works by blocking serotonin receptors in the brain. Serotonin, which we’ll discuss shortly, is the chemical responsible for telling your brain to feel nauseous and throw up.

Zofran was originally developed to help alleviate nausea and vomiting in cancer patients receiving chemotherapy and radiation treatment. It’s also often used to help patients deal with post-surgical nausea. If you’ve ever undergone a major surgery, chances are you’ve already received Zofran.

Can you take Zofran for a hangover? The answer is yes. While the medication was not specifically designed for hangover relief, there’s no contraindication to it. 

Why Drinking Too Much Makes You Nauseous 

To understand why you might want to take Zofran for a hangover, it helps to gain a little insight into why drinking one too many margaritas can lead to a revolt by your stomach. 

Surprisingly, considering that humans have been enjoying alcohol for thousands of years, researchers still don’t fully understand why heavy drinking leads to hangovers. What we do know is that alcohol consumption causes inflammation throughout the body. It can also cause dehydration and irritate the stomach lining, which may be responsible for the nausea you feel the next day. Other causes may relate to chemicals released as alcohol breaks down in the body. 

While the mechanisms of your hangover symptoms aren’t fully known, what is clear is that you can thank serotonin for the nausea and vomiting you experience in the morning.

How Serotonin Causes Nausea and Vomiting

You may know serotonin as a “feel good” chemical that can help you feel relaxed, happy, and even cheerful. What you may not know is that serotonin plays many different roles in the body. 

Known as a 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), serotonin is a neurotransmitter that also acts as a hormone. In a nutshell, serotonin works as a messenger between your central nervous system and the brain. Serotonin plays a role in

• Mood
• Sleep
• Wound healing 
• Bone health
• Sexual health
• And more

Another big role of serotonin? Your digestive health. In fact, 90% of the serotonin in your body is located in your gastrointestinal system. It shouldn’t be too surprising that when it comes to nausea, serotonin is at the center of the process.

Nausea happens when your stomach releases more serotonin than it can digest. The serotonin rushes to your brain, which triggers the feeling of nausea. These serotonin signals can also convince your brain to make you throw up. 

What’s incredible about Zofran is that it works by blocking serotonin receptors in the brain and interrupting this chemical messaging system. In other words, serotonin instructs your brain to make you feel queasy, but your brain doesn’t get the message.

How You Can Take Zofran for Hangovers

Zofran is a prescription drug, so you’ll need to get it through a healthcare provider. That can be difficult if you want to use Zofran to help cure a hangover. Zofran comes as both a tablet and a liquid. It can also be taken as an IV. The benefit of taking Zofran as an IV is that the medication will be absorbed directly into your bloodstream instead of going through your digestive tract.

Zofran is generally well tolerated but does have some side effects. Common side effects include

• Chest pain
• Irritability
• Constipation
• Headaches
• Fatigue
• Diarrhea

It can also interact with certain medications, so always check with a healthcare professional before taking Zofran for a hangover (or for any other reason).

The Benefits of IV Therapy for Hangovers

If you’re looking to recover quickly from a hangover, IV vitamin therapy could be an excellent option for you. At Lone Star IV Medics, we offer IVs that include Zofran. Getting rid of lingering nausea and vomiting is the first step toward getting back on your feet. But using Zofran for a hangover is just one of your treatment options.

Our IVs also include a hefty dose of hydrating saline solution and electrolytes. The saline can help eliminate your post-partying dehydration, while the electrolytes help balance your system. Next, you can also choose a treatment containing Toradol, which may help relieve your pounding headache and other aches and pains. 

If you did experience vomiting, you might benefit from an IV with vitamins and minerals to help address any vitamin and mineral deficiencies. At Lone Star IV Medics, we offer a range of IV treatments and different pricing packages to accommodate almost any budget. You can also create your own personalized IV using our add-in ingredients to create a customized solution based on your hangover symptoms. 

If you want to try Zofran for hangovers, IV therapy is one of the best ways. At Lone Star IV Medics, our team includes medical professionals who are fully licensed and registered to provide IV treatment. Our specialists will come to your home (or office or friend’s house) to provide your treatment in comfort and privacy. 

Can you take Zofran for a hangover? When you work with us, the answer is yes. Make an appointment, and one of our IV specialists will be at your door in no time.