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Google PlayA new hangover pill, which promises to help drinkers “wake up feeling refreshed”, has launched in the UK. Dubbed ‘Myrkl’, the pill is the “first product in history to break down alcohol effectively” and has been in development for more than 30 years.
Packed with bacteria Bacillus Coagulans, Bacillus Subtilis and amino acid L-Cysteine, which reduces alcohol into water and carbon dioxide, the supplement works by breaking down alcohol before it reaches the liver and uses vitamin B12 to ensure drinkers are left without a sore head.
According to scientists, two pills should be taken at least an hour before any alcohol is consumed for maximum effectiveness. The supplement is currently unavailable for UK residents to purchase in person but it can be ordered online at a cost of £30 for a packet of 30 capsules.
Research carried out by the supplement’s manufacturer along with Swedish pharmaceutical firm De Faire Medical and the Pfützner Science and Health Institute found taking the tablets reduced alcohol concentration in the blood by half within 30 minutes of having a drink, rising to 70% after an hour. However, not all experts are convinced by the efficacy of the product.
Speaking to the i newspaper, Joris Verster, principal investigator at the Division of Pharmacology at Utrecht University and founder of the Alcohol Hangover Research Group, said: “There is no scientific evidence that this product is effective against hangovers and it has never been investigated in this context.”
Dr. Dawn Harper, best known for TV show Embarrassing Bodies, said the pill would be better suited for moderate drinkers as opposed to those looking to reduce the effects of a heavy night out. The NHS GP said those who take the pill will still experience “some absorption and some of that jolliness that you experience when drinking alcohol.”
She added: “To be clear, this is not a product for people that want to get drunk. Taking Myrkl prior to alcohol consumption will make getting drunk much more expensive and will take significantly longer. Where I think Myrkl could be relevant, is for the huge number of moderate drinkers here in the UK.”
