Alka-Seltzer contains aspirin, sodium bicarbonate, and citric acid. When dissolved in water, the bicarbonate reacts with the acid and produces carbon dioxide gas, which provides the carbonation, as well as sodium citrate. The aspirin relieves the hangover headache, the water reverses dehydration, and the sodium citrate is a partial electrolyte replacement.

From my previous answer to a similar question about hangovers:

Some popular hangover remedies are useless (coffee) or can make the hangover worse (more alcohol, or the "hair of the dog that bit you"), but others actually treat the effects of excess alcohol intake. These include:

--Eggs contain cysteine, which helps break down acetaldehyde.

--Bananas are rich in electrolytes, especially potassium.

--Water replaces excess urine loss.

--Fruit juices provide sugar for energy as well as vitamins and electrolytes.

--Over-the-counter pain medications can relieve headache. However, acetaminophen (Tylenol) can cause liver damage, especially when associated with alcohol. Some pain medications also contain caffeine, which is a diuretic and can make dehydration worse. Aspirin can actually decrease the severity of a hangover if taken before bed (although it can also cause stomach pain).

--Given enough time, the body will metabolize and excrete the alcohol and its byproducts, and the hangover will go away.

http://www.mahalo.com/answers/health/does-anyone-know-any-good-hangover-remedies#acae59bb68c5cc11133d7fcb4b00cbb5c0ebcf068c4879ffc3e7754a086f0bfa2
Source(s):
http://www.alkaseltzer.com/as/as_original.html
http://health.howstuffworks.com/hangover.htm
http://health.howstuffworks.com/hangover6.htm
http://health.howstuffworks.com/hangover8.htm

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