SCIENTISTS have developed a pill that could lower blood alcohol content (BAC) and reduce liver damage.

A US study on mice was published in the journal Nature Nanotechnology today.

During the study researchers intoxicated mice with alcohol, and then fed them enzymes encapsulated in a thin polymer shell.

They found that the BAC of the mice given the antidote reduced by 10.1 per cent at 45 minutes post feeding.

The BAC continued to drop by 31.8 per cent at 90 minutes and 36.8 per cent at three hours.

The control group, who did not consume the antidote, had much smaller declines in BAC.

Researchers said the pill could provide a method for preventing liver injury arising from the overconsumption of alcohol.

Authors said while, various antidotes have been developed for drug overdoses, such antidotes may not be sufficient to treat alcohol intoxication.