Hype about alleged anti-hangover drug Elotrans – pharmacist complains: sold out because of “party kids”
Created: 08/24/2022, 15:08
By: Kai Hartwig
The diarrhea drug Elotrans is said to help against a hangover even after drinking alcohol.
The social media boom poses major problems for pharmacies.
Munich – In a few weeks the Oktoberfest will start in Munich.
From September 17th, the beer will flow in masses again at the Wiesn 2022.
Many a visitor to the largest folk festival in the world overestimates his ability to drink.
And after going to the Wiesn tent, you should have a hangover the next morning at the latest.
If you believe many voices on the net, there is a real "miracle cure".
Its name: Elotrans.
This is a drug from the German pharmaceutical company Stada.
According to the manufacturer, this is actually “for oral electrolyte and fluid intake (compensation for salt and water losses) in diarrheal diseases”.
It contains glucose, sodium and potassium.
There has been a lot of hype on the internet about the diarrhea drug Elotrans.
It is also said to help with a hangover.
© Gottfried Czepluch/Imago
Social media hype about Elotrans: diarrhea drug a miracle cure for hangovers?
But in the meantime, there has been real hype about the anti-diarrheal drug, especially among younger people on TikTok, Instagram and YouTube.
Among its followers, it is considered the ultimate hangover remedy.
With consequences for the pharmacies in this country.
Due to the social media hype, Elotrans can now hardly be found in online pharmacies, the same applies to comparable electrolyte products.
The delivery per person was therefore limited to one pack in some online pharmacies.
Elotrans is also sold out in city pharmacies.
The manufacturer Stada can hardly keep up with production due to the unexpected boom in demand, said Josef Kammermeier, deputy chairman of the Bavarian Pharmacists' Association (BAV), in an interview
with
tz.de.
Alleged anti-hangover drug Elotrans: diarrhea drug sold out in pharmacies – thanks to “party kids”
"All the party-goers show up in the pharmacies and have really managed to get this company
(manufacturer Stada; editor's note)
to sell out the product," said the BAV Vice President.
However, Elotrans does not help against the headache after a night of heavy drinking, he affirmed.
In addition, self-sufficiency with the product is unnecessary for party-goers.
Old household remedies such as pickles or roll mops also work, they add salts to the body that are lacking after alcohol consumption.
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Similar to diarrheal diseases, extensive alcohol consumption also deprives the body of a lot of fluid.
The glucose-electrolyte mixtures do indeed help against dehydration.
However, the hype surrounding the drug on social media is already having a negative effect.
Adults and children who suffer from diarrhea and are really dependent on Elotrans or similar medication now often have to be cared for in other ways.
For example, through a prescription bag that pharmacies mix together according to WHO specifications.
Pharmacists' association complains: "Must withhold medicines from those who actually need them"
Kammermeier runs his pharmacy in Regensburg near a children's clinic.
The doctors there are annoyed that the misuse of the diarrhea drug is causing bottlenecks, he explained.
Children in particular would react “particularly sensitively to loss of fluids during diarrhea”.
Kammermeier is also bothered by the fact that “medication has to be withheld from those who actually need it”.
There is currently no restriction on the sale of Elotrans or similar preparations.
It's also legally difficult.
Rather, in consultations with young customers who want to buy Elotrans as an anti-hangover remedy, they try to "appeal to reason," said Kammermeier.
"They are still sober when they come to us," added the pharmacist.
This is not always successful, he admitted.
Well taken care of on the go: This belongs in the first-aid kit
View photo gallery
Diarrhea medication belongs in the first-aid kit – cucumbers, rolled mops and glucose also help against hangovers
“A lot of things are just coming together at the moment,” says Kammermeier.
Since the mask requirement was abolished, “all the viruses in the world are happy,” explained the deputy head of the BAV.
In addition to the corona virus, diarrheal diseases are also spreading.
There are currently three groups that are causing increased demand for Elotrans.
In addition to the party-goers and people suffering from acute diarrhea, the pharmacist also included tourists.
During the holiday season, a remedy like Elotrans for intestinal problems simply belongs in the classic first-aid kit.
Kammermeier appealed to the young people to rely on old, tried-and-tested home remedies instead of Elotrans.
Pickles and rollmops contain "enough sodium," he affirmed.
In combination with dextrose (glucose), which you can buy in bulk in drugstores and pharmacies, you are well looked after after a party.
And the whole thing is also significantly cheaper than buying from Elotrans.
(kh)