The fastest way to get rid of a wine headache is to take an anti-inflammatory pain reliever like ibuprofen or naproxen, drink a full glass of water, and apply something cold to your forehead or the back of your neck. Most wine headaches resolve within a few hours with this combination, though the specific compounds in wine can make these headaches feel more stubborn than a typical alcohol-related headache.
What to Do Right Now
If your head is already pounding, start with an NSAID like ibuprofen or naproxen. These work especially well for wine headaches because they block prostaglandins, one of the specific inflammatory compounds that tannins in wine trigger your body to release. Take one with a full glass of water, not on an empty stomach.
Avoid acetaminophen (Tylenol) as your first choice. While a normal dose after a night of drinking is generally safe for most people, NSAIDs are the better option here because they target the inflammation pathway that wine specifically activates. If you regularly drink moderate to heavy amounts, acetaminophen can stress your liver over time, and daily doses above 2,000 mg become risky for heavier drinkers.
Pair your pain reliever with a cup of coffee or strong tea. Caffeine constricts blood vessels and, when combined with a pain reliever, improves the medication’s effectiveness by about 40%. An ice pack or cold compress on your forehead or neck works through a similar mechanism, reducing blood flow to the area and dulling the throbbing sensation.
Drink water steadily. Wine is a diuretic, and dehydration amplifies any headache. Aim for at least one glass of water for every glass of wine you had, and keep sipping.
Why Wine Causes Headaches in the First Place
Wine headaches aren’t just alcohol headaches. Wine contains a cocktail of compounds that trigger pain through pathways regular alcohol doesn’t. Understanding these helps explain why certain fixes work and why some wines are worse offenders than others.
Histamine and tyramine are biogenic amines found in wine, and they can set off an inflammatory response in sensitive people. Red wines contain up to 200% more of these amines than whites because most reds go through malolactic fermentation, a secondary process that releases amines as a byproduct. If you’ve ever noticed red wine hits you harder than white, this is a major reason.
Tannins are another culprit. These are the compounds that give red wine its dry, slightly bitter mouthfeel, and they come from grape skins and seeds. Tannins trigger shifts in serotonin levels (the same neurotransmitter involved in migraines) and also stimulate the release of prostaglandins, inflammatory molecules that directly cause head pain. This is exactly why NSAIDs, which block prostaglandins, are particularly effective for wine headaches.
Sulfites Are Probably Not the Problem
Sulfites get blamed for wine headaches constantly, but the evidence doesn’t support it. Only about 1% of the population has a true sulfite sensitivity, and even in that group, the symptoms are respiratory (wheezing, nasal congestion), not headaches. There is no evidence that sulfites cause headaches in the other 99% of people. White wines and dried fruits often contain more sulfites than red wine, yet red wine is far more likely to trigger a headache. If you’ve been buying “sulfite-free” wine to avoid headaches, the tannins and histamines in the wine matter much more.
Headache Timeline: What to Expect
The International Headache Society recognizes two types of alcohol-induced headaches based on timing. An immediate headache shows up within three hours of drinking. A delayed headache appears 5 to 12 hours later, overlapping with what most people call a hangover. Wine headaches often fall into the immediate category because the histamines, tannins, and tyramine begin triggering inflammation quickly, sometimes after just a glass or two. If you’re dealing with a delayed wine headache the morning after, the same treatment approach applies, but you’ll likely also be dealing with dehydration and poor sleep compounding the pain.
How to Prevent Wine Headaches Next Time
Take an NSAID Before Your First Sip
If you know wine gives you headaches, taking an anti-inflammatory before you start drinking can prevent the headache from fully developing. As one Cleveland Clinic neurologist puts it, treating it earlier may be effective at preventing a full-blown headache from occurring. This is particularly useful if you’re heading to a dinner or event where wine will be served and you already know your pattern.
Choose Lower-Risk Wines
Your wine choice makes a real difference. White wines, rosés, and sparkling wines are consistently lower in both histamines and tannins than reds. Among whites, Riesling, Pinot Gris, Sauvignon Blanc, and Prosecco are some of the safest bets. Wines fermented in stainless steel tanks (rather than oak barrels) and younger, fresher bottles also tend to accumulate fewer histamines.
If you prefer red wine, lighter styles made from thinner-skinned grapes like Pinot Noir will generally give you less trouble than heavy reds. Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, and Tempranillo are among the worst offenders because their thick skins contribute more tannins and their fermentation process produces more histamine. A few European wineries now produce lab-certified low-histamine wines with levels below 0.5 mg/L, a fraction of what typical reds contain.
Eat Before and During
Drinking wine on an empty stomach means alcohol and its companion compounds hit your bloodstream faster and at higher concentrations. Eating a meal with protein and fat before or while drinking slows absorption significantly. This won’t eliminate the headache-causing compounds, but it reduces the peak levels your body has to process at once.
Alternate With Water
Match every glass of wine with a glass of water. This slows your overall consumption, reduces dehydration, and gives your body more time to metabolize what you’ve already had. It sounds simple because it is, and it’s one of the most effective preventive strategies available.
DAO Supplements: Do They Help?
Diamine oxidase (DAO) is the enzyme your body uses to break down histamine. Some people produce less of it, which may explain why wine headaches hit certain people harder. DAO supplements are marketed to help, and there is some limited evidence they do. In one small study, people with migraines who took DAO supplements for over a month reported their migraine attacks shortened by roughly 90 minutes. Other small studies found modest improvements in histamine intolerance symptoms.
The catch is that the research is sparse, with only a few small studies showing benefits, and at least one study found no improvement at all when participants combined DAO supplements with a low-histamine diet. These supplements aren’t harmful for most people, but they’re far from a guaranteed fix. If you suspect histamine intolerance is behind your wine headaches (look for accompanying symptoms like nasal congestion, flushing, or digestive upset), they may be worth trying, but set your expectations accordingly.