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04th Jul 2022

A new £1 hangover prevention pill has gone on sale in the UK today

April Curtin

It claims to be ‘the first product in history to break down alcohol effectively’

Hangovers are often the consequence of every good weekend in summer, and largely there’s nothing you can do about them other than down a burger and a sports drink and stay in bed until the pain fades away. Well, now you can, apparently, take a pill for it. And it costs just £1. Scenes.

Myrkl is the name of the new pill, which suppliers claim is the first product in history to break alcohol down effectively. It was actually invented back in 1990 by scientist Johan de Fair, but has been “perfected over 30 years of research and design” by Swedish pharmaceutical firm De Fair Medical. Now, Brits can try it out for themselves.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CflTd-GMXIF/

Those thinking of testing them out will have to make sure you plan in advance, given that the pills are currently only available to order online.

Scientists also say two pills should be taken an hour before drinking for maximum effect, so hangovers after spontaneous drinking sessions might not be as fixable.

A pack of 30 capsules cost £30, which quick maths will tell you is £1 each.

How does it work?

The pills contain bacteria that rapidly break down bacterias named Bacillus coagulans and Bacillus subtilis, as well as two common vitamins (L-Cysteine and Vitamin B12). All the ingredients have been approved by the necessary food standards agencies and are safe for consumption, the manufacturer said.

The tablets are not classed as a medicine, so do not need MHRA approval.

In June, independent clinical trials of the pill took place. The trials found that taking the tablets before drinking reduced alcohol concentration in the blood by half within 30 minutes of having a drink, and by 70% after an hour.

Håkan Magnusson, CEO at Myrkl, said the trials “prove just how powerful this product is at breaking down alcohol”.

He said: “Moderate social drinking is a huge part of British culture, with the majority of British people heading out each week to enjoy a few drinks together. Myrkl’s purpose is, therefore, to help those regular moderate drinkers to wake up feeling their best the next day, whether they’re a busy working professional, young parents, or seniors who want to maintain an active social life.”

The CEO did note that the tablets are not way designed as “an excuse to drink beyond NHS guidelines”. But he said the company is convinced Myrkl is “a game-changing product”.

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