After a rather drunken evening, we are often tempted to swallow an analgesic to relieve our headache and nausea. But taking paracetamol can cause even more damage. Explanations.
- Paracetamol is not recommended for relieving hangover symptoms and may even cause liver damage.
- Instead, it is advisable to take ibuprofen and drink plenty of water.
Nausea, headaches, stomach aches, fatigue and difficulty concentrating… After an evening where you drank too much alcohol, the aftermath is often difficult. In question: the famous “hangover”, which occurs when the blood alcohol level approaches 0g/L.
Digested by the liver, alcohol is processed by enzymes called alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH), which then transform it into acetaldehyde. When the body contains too much, this metabolite of alcohol, very toxic and reactive, makes us nauseous and prone to vomiting. In high doses, acetaldehyde decreases the activity of enzymes, which leads to inflammation of the liver. When alcohol consumption continues for a long time, liver enzymes break down the liver. The production of collagen can also form fibrosis in the liver: this is called alcoholic steatohepatitis.
Alcohol and paracetamol, a toxic cocktail for the liver
To calm the symptoms linked to this concentration of acetaldehyde in the liver, one may be tempted to take paracetamol. But, as explained by Francisco Javier Otero Espinar, professor of the Department of Pharmacology, Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Technology at the University of Santiago de Compostela (Spain) in an article by The Conservationit is far from being a good idea!
Indeed, this analgesic is effective against pain and fever, but is not an anti-inflammatory. It will therefore be ineffective in combating inflammation of the liver due to alcohol consumption. In addition, once absorbed and passed into the bloodstream, it is then metabolized by the liver. However, in the event of a hangover, this organ is already very busy, busy eliminating alcohol and the toxic metabolites resulting from its absorption. By swallowing a paracetamol tablet, our liver converts an enzyme called CYP2E1 into a highly reactive metabolite, NAPQI, which leads to oxidative stress and cell death, which can cause liver damage. It is also not recommended to consume aspirin, since it increases the concentration of alcohol in the blood.
What to take in case of a hangover?
Professor Francisco Javier Otero Espinar advises instead to take ibuprofen, but to respect the prescribed doses. Indeed, this anti-inflammatory can reinforce the irritant effect of alcohol on the gastric level by altering the gastric barrier.
It is especially important to drink plenty of water and it is possible to take betaine citrate to facilitate digestion and therefore reduce stomach aches. But the best thing is still to limit your alcohol consumption.
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