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evidence · mechanism · dose
Supplements/Herb

Prickly Pear Extract (Opuntia ficus-indica)

Cactus extract — clinically studied for reducing hangover severity when taken before drinking.

Pre-Drinking SupportPost-Drinking Recovery

Overview

Cactus extract — clinically studied for reducing hangover severity when taken before drinking.

Natural sources
    Common forms

      Mechanism of action

      Anti-inflammatory; reduces the pro-inflammatory cytokine response to ethanol metabolites.

      Pathways

        Effects on the body

        Organ system effects

        Evidence-based benefits

        Reduces hangover symptoms ~50% when taken 5h pre-alcohol (Wiese 2004)

        Limited evidence

        Potential side effects

        Common
          Rare
            Serious

              Drug interactions

              No notable interactions reported.

              Safety & non-supplemental interactions

              Educational summary — always confirm with your clinician or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or combining with prescription therapy.

              Avoid if you are
              • ·Pregnant or breastfeeding (insufficient safety data)
              • ·Children under 18 (unless directed by a clinician)
              Other notes
              • ·Discuss with a clinician if you have active liver disease or take hepatotoxic medications.

              Supplement interactions

              Pairs well with

              None listed.

              Avoid combining with

              No specific avoidances listed.

              Dosing & bioavailability

              Typical dose
              1600 IU (study dose) 5h before drinking
              With food?
              Optional

              Where to buy

              Affiliate-style search links to reputable retailers. We don't endorse specific brands — verify third-party testing (USP, NSF, Informed Sport) before purchase.

              Herb
              Prickly Pear…
              Amazon
              Wide selection · fast shipping
              Herb
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              iHerb
              Global delivery · curated brands
              Herb
              Prickly Pear…
              Thorne
              Practitioner-grade · NSF tested

              Scientific evidence (8)

              RCTArch Intern Med · 2004

              Opuntia ficus-indica for hangover prevention

              Wiese J, et al.

              RCT of prickly-pear extract before alcohol.

              Key findings

              Reduced hangover symptoms, especially nausea and dry mouth.

              Open study
              Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

              PubMed: Prickly Pear Extract (Opuntia ficus-indica) — Reduces hangover symptoms ~50% when taken 5h pre-alcohol

              Live PubMed search

              Live results for "Prickly Pear Extract (Opuntia ficus-indica) Reduces hangover symptoms ~50% when taken 5h pre-alcohol" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

              Key findings

              Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Prickly Pear Extract (Opuntia ficus-indica) and "Reduces hangover symptoms ~50% when taken 5h pre-alcohol". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

              Open study
              Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

              PubMed: Prickly Pear Extract (Opuntia ficus-indica) — randomized controlled trial

              Live PubMed search

              Live results for "Prickly Pear Extract (Opuntia ficus-indica) randomized controlled trial" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

              Key findings

              Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Prickly Pear Extract (Opuntia ficus-indica) and "randomized controlled trial". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

              Open study
              Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

              PubMed: Prickly Pear Extract (Opuntia ficus-indica) — meta-analysis

              Live PubMed search

              Live results for "Prickly Pear Extract (Opuntia ficus-indica) meta-analysis" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

              Key findings

              Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Prickly Pear Extract (Opuntia ficus-indica) and "meta-analysis". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

              Open study
              Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

              PubMed: Prickly Pear Extract (Opuntia ficus-indica) — pharmacokinetics

              Live PubMed search

              Live results for "Prickly Pear Extract (Opuntia ficus-indica) pharmacokinetics" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

              Key findings

              Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Prickly Pear Extract (Opuntia ficus-indica) and "pharmacokinetics". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

              Open study
              Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

              PubMed: Prickly Pear Extract (Opuntia ficus-indica) — safety adverse events

              Live PubMed search

              Live results for "Prickly Pear Extract (Opuntia ficus-indica) safety adverse events" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

              Key findings

              Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Prickly Pear Extract (Opuntia ficus-indica) and "safety adverse events". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

              Open study
              Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

              PubMed: Prickly Pear Extract (Opuntia ficus-indica) — dose response

              Live PubMed search

              Live results for "Prickly Pear Extract (Opuntia ficus-indica) dose response" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

              Key findings

              Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Prickly Pear Extract (Opuntia ficus-indica) and "dose response". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

              Open study
              Systematic reviewGoogle Scholar · 1970

              Google Scholar: Prickly Pear Extract (Opuntia ficus-indica) — clinical evidence

              Live Scholar search

              Cross-database citation index for Prickly Pear Extract (Opuntia ficus-indica) as it relates to "clinical evidence".

              Key findings

              Includes preprints, theses, and journal articles. Useful for tracking citation counts and follow-on work.

              Open study
              Educational use only. This profile is not medical advice. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before starting any supplement, especially if you take prescription medication or have a chronic condition.