Myrkl Review: Does This Supplement Cure Your Hangover?

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It may sound too good to be true—a pre-drinking pill that helps you wake up hangover-free the next morning—but dietary supplements like Myrkl promise to do just that. The dreaded hangover often comes with a host of unwanted symptoms, like headache, dry mouth, anxiety and overall fatigue. While you may have been told to stay hydrated with water during alcohol consumption to help avoid next-day sickness, hangover pills are the latest hangover prevention strategy.

Still, do they actually work? And what exactly are hangover supplements like Myrkl made out of? To get to the bottom of the purported benefits of this pre-drinking pill, we’ve tested Myrkl to see if it helps alleviate hangover symptoms, or allows us to walk away completely hangover-free the next day. We also asked registered dietitians and medical doctors to weigh in on its ingredients.

Our in-depth Myrkl review will dive into everything there is to know about this pre-drinking pill, including its pros and cons, who it’s best for and how to use it safely. Keep reading for more information about Myrkl hangover pills and what we thought of our own Mykrl experience.

This content is meant to be informative, but should not be taken as medical advice. It is not intended for use as diagnosis, prevention or treatment of health problems. Always speak with your doctor before starting any new supplement or exercise regimen.

Myrkl At a Glance

• Contains probiotics, L-cysteine and vitamin B12
• Two-capsule dose to be taken two hours before drinking
• 30-day money-back guarantee
• 100 percent vegan

Pros

• Contains mostly natural ingredients
• Easy-to-swallow capsules
• Vitamin B12 has been shown to fight fatigue
• Vegan

Cons

• Proprietary bacteria blend doesn’t disclose ratios
• Expensive per serving at $2.30 per dose

What Is The Myrkl Pill?

Myrkl is an anti-hangover pill containing three key ingredients: vitamin B12, L-cysteine and a proprietary bacteria blend of probiotics. (Keep reading to learn more about the potential benefits of these ingredients.) Its purpose is to help alleviate the effects of alcohol the next day, which can include tiredness, dry mouth, anxiety and other unwanted symptoms of being hungover.

“The capsules are easy to swallow and don't have any taste,” says SI Showcase senior editor Zoë Ettinger, who took a dose of Myrkl before her first drink of the night and had four drinks total over the course of the evening. (Myrkl reports that their supplement is activated in the gut after taking it.) “I found this to be a convenient and easy way to take a hangover prevention pill.”

How do you take the Myrkl pill?

The Myrkl pill is a two-capsule dose designed to be taken two hours before consuming alcohol. It can be stored at room temperature and doesn’t require any refrigeration. The Myrkl hangover pill can be taken daily if needed, but the CDC recommends not to exceed one drink per day for women and two drinks per day for men (i.e., you may not need Myrkl if you’re simply having a glass of wine with dinner; it’s better-suited for moderate drinkers consuming larger amounts of alcohol).

Myrkl Claims

As a pre-drinking pill, Myrkl promises to let you “enjoy your social life without compromising the next day.” The brand claims that taking Myrkl before drinking a moderate amount of alcohol helps you wake up feeling refreshed, even if you’ve had a long night. In addition, Myrkl notes that its vitamin B12 ingredient also boosts immune and brain health, plus energy levels.

Quality of Ingredients

Myrkl contains three key ingredients. Here’s how they work and what benefits they might offer for hangover prevention, according to medical doctors and registered dietitians.

Vitamin B12

Ongoing research shows that chronic alcohol consumption may deplete vitamin B12 levels, though studies are still mixed in this area. Other research has found that vitamin B12 may help counteract memory impairment caused by alcohol (a.k.a., having fuzzy recollections of the night before). “B vitamins aid in alcohol metabolism, reducing its adverse effects,” says Trista Best, RD, an adjunct nutrition professor and registered dietitian.

Still, emergency medicine physician Jared Ross, MD, argues that only time can help eliminate alcohol from the body. “Alcohol is eliminated from the body at a consistent rate over time,” he explains. “It’s not dependent on the quantity ingested nor any other factors.” Therefore, the only “real” hangover cure is time, Ross believes, rather than promising vitamins like B12.

Probiotics

You’re probably familiar with probiotics for their gut health benefits, but probiotics may also help protect against liver damage caused by alcohol (although more human studies are needed to confirm this benefit). Some animal research also shows that probiotics have the power to reduce alcohol absorption overall, which may potentially lessen the effects of a hangover (though, again, more human studies are needed).

Myrkl contains 10,000 colony-forming units (CFUs) of probiotics per dose. Ross explains that, while probiotics help promote the growth of healthy gut bacteria, it’s important to keep in mind which bodily functions they actually impact most. “Alcohol is metabolized in the liver by an enzyme,” he cautions, “and not by bacteria.”

L-cysteine

L-cysteine is an amino acid, or a building block of protein. These naturally occurring compounds help facilitate various bodily functions. L-cysteine, for example, eliminates free radicals from the body, therefore reducing oxidative stress. According to research, this powerful antioxidant may prevent hangovers, nausea, anxiety, stress and headaches. “Amino acids like L-cysteine may enhance glutathione production, supporting the liver in processing alcohol,” Best says.

That being said, Ross once again cautions being open-minded about potentially promising marketing claims. “Mykl is unlikely to have any significant effects outside of your wallet,” he says. Still, it’s always wise to use your best judgment when determining if a supplement like Myrkl is right for you, whether or not the ingredients have proven health benefits.

Myrkl Cost

A box of Myrkl costs $34.50, which is the equivalent of $2.30 per dose or serving. Each box contains 15 servings total. While the per-serving price might be high in the grand scheme of things, it may feel like a small price to pay if you experience the benefits that Myrkl promises. After all, an alcoholic drink at the bar can cost you anywhere from $8 to $17 or more, and when you multiply that number by how many drinks you plan to consume, $2.30 may seem minimal.

Still, it’s important to consider how often you’ll actually use Myrkl to determine if the price is within your budget. If it takes you months to go through one box of Myrkl, then the higher cost may be worth it. Alternatively, if you’re looking for the benefits of vitamin B12 specifically for drinking alcohol, you can likely find a standalone vitamin B12 supplement for half the price.

At the time of writing, Myrkl also offers free shipping for purchases greater than $50, which would require buying two or more boxes of Myrkl. Otherwise, you can expect to pay $4.99 for standard shipping and $9.99 for express two-day shipping. Seasonal promos may also net you additional savings, depending on the ongoing promotion at the time of your purchase.

Who Should Use Mykrl

Myrkl may be helpful for a big night out or occasions where you might consume several alcoholic drinks, like a birthday party or holiday gathering. SI Showcase senior editor Zoë Ettinger backs up these benefits for people consuming roughly four alcoholic beverages in one evening. “The next day, I did feel some symptoms of a hangover, but they seemed to be slightly reduced,” she explains. “I’d say feeling less tired was the main difference.”

While the effects were more minor for Ettinger, her friend, who also took a standard Myrkl dose before consuming alcohol, reported no hangover at all the next day—showing anecdotal evidence that Myrkl can be effective for those who plan on moderately drinking.

Who Should NOT Use Myrkl

While Myrkl may help mitigate the effects of alcohol, it’s important to be aware that hangover pills like Myrkl may encourage people to drink more and potentially reach dangerous blood alcohol levels. Therefore, Myrkl should always be taken cautiously and never as a means to consume more alcohol. Myrkl is also not intended for children under 18 or people who are pregnant or breastfeeding. If you consume one drink, such as a glass of wine, Myrkl also might not do much for you, as it’s designed for more moderate drinking that could result in a hangover.

Binge drinking can take a negative toll on your health over time and result in injuries. One alternative to hangover pills like Myrkl is to drink less alcohol or opt for non-alcoholic drinks or non-alcoholic wines to avoid the possibility of a hangover altogether.

If you or a loved one are struggling with alcohol abuse, you can find resources for getting help at SAMHSA National Helpline.

What Customers Are Saying About Myrkl

According to Myrkl reviews on Trustpilot, the hangover pill was given an average 3.8/5 star rating from 264 customers. “It helps me wake up much fresher than I normally would,” one happy user writes. Other customers report that Myrkl helps alleviate next-day hangover symptoms, like nausea and heartburn.

Still, some customers warn that Myrkl works better when taken three to four hours before drinking, rather than the recommended two hours, and that it’s not a miracle pill. “If you drink a lot, don’t expect to feel refreshed the day after,” one customer notes. Still, most Myrkl users report being “impressed” with the product and keeping it on hand as a go-to for long nights.

About Myrkl

Myrkl is a Swedish brand housed under the parent company de Faire Medical, a Swedish bioresearch firm that specializes in supplements that help break down alcohol effectively. According to the de Faire Medical website, the brand claims that it’s developed the first formula in history to break down alcohol before it reaches the liver, which is the same formula used in the Myrkl pill. This formula is known as AB001™, and is trademarked by de Faire Medical.

Myrkl vs. Zbiotics

Zbiotics is a pre-alcohol probiotic drink that comes in miniature bottle form rather than capsules like Myrkl. It can be bought as a three-, six- or 12-pack, and costs between $36 and $108, depending on how many bottles you buy (price-per-serving goes down with larger packs). Still, even on the lower end, Zbiotics costs $9 per bottle, which is significantly more expensive than Myrkl hangover pills. You’ll also get probiotics only, versus Myrkl’s addition of vitamin B12 and L-cysteine. Myrkl is more cost-effective.

Check out our Zbiotics review for more information on this pre-alcohol probiotic drink. 

Myrkl vs. Blowfish

Blowfish is a morning-after hangover remedy designed to be taken upon waking up. It promises to work in just 15 minutes and contains aspirin, caffeine (which can help with headaches) and lemon for hydration. Blowfish costs between $25 to $100 for packs of 40 to 100 tablets, so you may pay as little as $1 per serving on the lower end. However, some people may prefer Myrkl over Blowfish, as Myrkl is designed to help prevent hangovers in the first place, rather than help treat them.

Myrkl FAQs

Is Myrkl FDA-approved?

Dietary supplements like Myrkl aren’t FDA-approved, meaning they aren’t regulated as closely as prescription medications. Therefore, it’s important to do your research on any supplements you consume (including Myrkl) or speak to a professional healthcare provider before trying a new product.

What supplements should I take when drinking alcohol?

While you don’t necessarily have to take supplements when drinking alcohol, studies show that regular alcohol consumption has been linked to vitamin D deficiencies, so you may want to consider taking a high-quality vitamin D supplement if you consume alcohol often.

What is the active ingredient in Myrkl?

Myrkl contains three active ingredients: vitamin B12, L-cysteine and probiotic bacteria. One serving delivers 0.9 micrograms of vitamin B12, or 38 percent of the daily recommended value.

What can I do after drinking to prevent a hangover?

You may not be able to prevent a hangover entirely, but there are steps you can take to lessen its intensity. These include drinking slowly and on a full stomach, staying hydrated, avoiding darker-colored alcoholic beverages (like whiskey) and eating carbohydrates before drinking.

What are the side effects of taking a hangover pill?

It can be tough to tell if hangover pills themselves cause side effects, or if side effects are due to alcohol consumption (a.k.a., classic hangover symptoms). While it’s unlikely that Myrkl itself will cause serious side effects, some people may experience an upset stomach, bloating or diarrhea from probiotics, especially if you’re just introducing them to your system for the first time.

Takeaway: Is Myrkl Worth It?

For some people, Myrkl is a game-changer for preventing hangovers. We found that Myrkl works, but we still felt some post-alcohol symptoms the following morning. Myrkl may be worth trying for big nights out, yet there are steps you can take on your own (that don’t cost any money) to help prevent hangovers, including drinking slowly, staying hydrated and avoiding drinking on an empty stomach. But if you’re looking for a quick, convenient way to lessen a hangover—and don’t mind spending a few dollars—Myrkl is worth trying.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any diseases.

Prices are accurate and items in stock as of publish time.