Recently, a video was shared on social media of a woman buying paracetamol for her husband to take to relieve his headache after drinking. This is also the method many people apply when they have headaches after drinking alcohol.
Paracetamol is safe but can be harmful if used incorrectly - Photo: BVCC
However, high-dose or prolonged use of painkillers can impair liver function by increasing the production of toxic metabolites, overloading the liver and causing serious damage.
Headache from drinking, take painkillers?
Recently, a short video appeared on social media recording the image of a woman buying paracetamol for her husband to take because of a headache after drinking alcohol. This is also a very popular pain reliever today.
In the video, the woman shared that every time her husband had a headache after drinking alcohol, she would buy medicine to take immediately. The video quickly received great attention from the online community.
Below the clip, many people expressed that they also have similar habits and believe that taking paracetamol helps relieve headaches quickly.
However, some opposing opinions warn that this is a habit that leaves serious consequences for health, especially for the liver.
According to MSc. Doan Du Manh - member of the Vietnam Vascular Disease Association, the abuse of painkillers such as paracetamol after drinking alcohol is a major threat to liver health.
When alcohol enters the body, the liver must work at full capacity to process and eliminate the toxic ethanol. This puts a lot of pressure on the liver.
Meanwhile, paracetamol is also metabolized through the liver, causing increased burden, even severe liver toxicity, increasing the risk of hepatitis, liver failure and cirrhosis.
Why shouldn't you take painkillers after drinking alcohol?
According to Dr. Manh, when drinking alcohol, ethanol causes dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, dilation of blood vessels and headaches. Taking paracetamol immediately afterwards makes the liver work harder, while also irritating the stomach lining, which is especially dangerous for people with pre-existing liver disease.
Overuse of other pain relievers such as ibuprofen and naproxen makes the liver more susceptible to damage.
In addition to painkillers, many antibiotics can also damage the liver if used inappropriately. Liver damage caused by antibiotics often occurs silently, making the patient unaware until the disease progresses seriously.
Symptoms such as jaundice, abdominal pain, fatigue, and nausea can be signs of serious liver damage.
What to do to reduce headache after drunkenness?
Dr. Manh recommends that instead of taking painkillers after drinking alcohol, we should focus on solving the cause of headaches with healthier methods:
Drink plenty of water: Supplementing with filtered water, ginger water or electrolyte solution helps the body quickly eliminate alcohol.
Avoid drinking alcohol on an empty stomach: Eating a light meal before drinking alcohol or beer helps slow down the absorption of ethanol.
Eat thin porridge and hot soup: Helps supplement sodium and potassium, helping the body recover quickly.
In addition, the doctor also emphasized that painkillers should only be used when absolutely necessary and following the doctor's instructions. Arbitrarily buying drugs or using the wrong dosage can lead to serious health consequences.
"Instead of relying on painkillers to deal with headaches after drinking alcohol, people should apply natural methods to reduce the negative impact on the liver. Small changes in habits can help protect a healthy liver and avoid potential risks in the future," Dr. Manh recommended.
Source: https://tuoitre.vn/uong-paracetamol-giam-dau-dau-sau-khi-nhau-tac-hai-khon-luong-2025031116063813.htm
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