A simple patch to get rid of hangover; critics call it ‘a licence to drink’

Cheers to the new Bytox hangover prevention patch! It claims to put an end to the morning-after hangover from a night of alcohol merriment. Invented by a US plastic and reconstructive surgeon Dr Leo

By: Editorial Team | | Updated: November 1, 2012 7:19 pm

Cheers to the new Bytox hangover prevention patch! It claims to put an end to the morning-after hangover from a night of alcohol merriment. Invented by a US plastic and reconstructive surgeon Dr Leonard Grossman, the patch has gone on sale in the UK. It was launched in New York late last year, the Daily Mail reported. Also Read - Dry January: Why giving up on alcohol in 2021 is a good idea?

According to the instructions, users need to attach the body patch, which costs £12.99 for a pack of five, 45 minutes before drinking. The patch refills the vitamins and acids lost when consuming alcohol. Grossman has claimed that the ingredients – acai berry, vitamins A, B, D, E and K and folic – are delivered continuously to the bloodstream by the patch. On the contrary, the ingredients from a pill are discharged relatively quickly. Also Read - 5 common nutrients that you may be deficient in

‘The rationale for this ‘game changing’ body patch is to stop hangovers before they start. Easily applied, it is infused with a powerful blend of vitamins, nutrients and antioxidants which are absorbed whilst imbibing, meaning a faster recovery time,’ Firebox, which is selling the patch in the UK, said on its website. Also Read - Vitamin B12 can prevent irreversible nerve damage in diabetics: Get this nutrient from these 6 foods

Though the patch has not received any official medical backing, it has received good reviews from consumers.

But critics believe that the Bytox patch which is similar to a nicotine patch is either an expensive con, and is no less than a license that encourages drinkers to ‘take it up a level’ – without the side effects.

‘I’d be very surprised if this product did what it says it does. It’s hard to imagine how those ingredients would stop a hangover. And I have never seen any published material on this at all. If they are making health claims of this kind, they should be open to public scrutiny,’ said Prof David Nutt, former chief drugs adviser to the government.

‘It is highly irresponsible to be selling this sort of product,’ Dr Sarah Jarvis, medical adviser to the alcohol advisory charity Drinkaware, told Metro. ‘Look, we’d never usually encourage excess partying, but the Firebox team are definitely intending to take it up a level this Christmas. If the patch means more productivity at work, then bingo,’ Ben Redhead from Firebox said.

Published : November 1, 2012 4:21 pm | Updated:November 1, 2012 7:19 pm

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