New hangover remedy on way

A PATCH meant to avoid hangovers is to go on sale in France after proving a success in the USA.

“Bytox” was invented by American plastic surgeon Leonard Grossman and was launched a year ago in America, then in Spain and the UK.

It contains vitamins, antioxidants and amino acids and consists of a transparent patch that can be placed on the arm. It costs €17 for five patches and has to be placed on the arm 45 minutes before drinking and kept on for eight hours after finishing.

It supposedly limits ill-effects of heavy drinking and makes you feel better faster.

A doctor specialising in alcohol abuse told France Info hangovers are caused by a complex range of elements in alcohol plus dehydration and lack of sleep – and he said vitamins were unlikely to have much effect.

However young people polled said it sounded worth a try, especially when you needed to work the day after a night out.

It is planned that the patches will be on sale in pharmacies and certain bars and restaurants in around two months’ time.