Nobody likes a hangover. And though many may not relish the aftereffects accompanying a night of drinking, a new prevention formula may not be the answer to all post-drinking woes.

The advertisers for the California-based company Perfect Equation, a subsidiary of the health and vitamin conglomerate ExtractsPlus, say they may have the solution to those morning-after blues with their patented formula combining the extract from the prickly pear cactus with Vitamin-B to relieve hangover symptoms. The simply titled Hangover Prevention Formula (HPF) claims to prevent hangovers through a safe, all-natural product currently only available over the Internet.

As a dietary supplement, HPF is not a drug. Rather, its makers say the product works by raising the heat shock proteins in the blood stream, in effect protecting the body’s cells from misalignment, which produces the hangover symptoms. It does not prevent drunkenness or alcohol poisoning; but rather, it will prepare the body to deal with dehydration and the aftereffects of alcohol toxicity.

Not everyone is convinced of the cure-all effects of HPF. Registered pharmacist and owner of the Herb Shop off Oleander Drive Tom Nola said nothing prevents a hangover except not drinking, and there is nothing in HPF’s formula that supports the claim that it will be effective.

“I can’t see how prickly pear cactus would stop a hangover. Cactus fruit is used to modulate sugar levels for people who have diabetes,” Nola said. “As far as clinical tests and evidence from anecdotal information, they could tell me that drinking water makes you become a sex maniac, and you can’t say anything about it because it is based on an opinion, not fact.”

Gerald Stefanko, Perfect Equation’s marketing director disagrees.

“This is not snake oil. Our company wouldn’t mess with a consumer product that wasn’t authentic. We’re not promoting power-drinking,” he said, “but many people can’t enjoy a glass of red wine without a hangover. This supplement is just an insurance policy. Our product is not meant for binge drinking, and we have a tremendous amount of anecdotal information referring to its effectiveness.”

A 10-capsule bottle costs $24.95 and is available through Perfect Equation’s Web site. It is not sold in stores. The recommended dose is one capsule for 130 pounds of body weight to be taken on an empty stomach, two hours before drinking. One dose is said to prevent a hangover for up to three days. According to Perfect Equation’s press release, several clinical tests have been conducted on the product, comprising the anecdotal evidence of its authenticity. As a dietary supplement, Perfect Equation is not regulated by the FDA. However, the product has received a lot of positive media attention, having been profiled in Esquire, Self and Men’s Journal among other national magazines. But results of testing done by three students who tested out the pill, some of who are staff members of The Seahawk, found mixed results. Tester Collin Beck said he found it to be fairly effective, while the other two students were less satisfied with the results. These tests were subjective and were based solely on the student’s individual responses to the product. However, Dr. Albert Abrons, medical director of UNCW’s student health services, is skeptical of HPF and anything that promotes irresponsible drinking.

“My initial impression is that it’s like 10 million things that have been marketed before, and all of them are bogus. A bad thing about these types of products is that they encourage excessive drinking and give a false sense of security,” Abrons said. Abrons also said that the Federal Drug Administration does not regulate these types of products and believes them to be nothing more than examples of false advertising carrying a dangerous message.

“(HPF) is a commercial come-on, and it’s about making money,” he said.