Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of Xingnaojing (XNJ) injection in the treatment of acute alcohol intoxication. Methods The Cochrane library (Issue 4, 2008), MEDLINE (1989 to 2008), WANFANG database (1991 to 2008), CBM (1991 to 2008), and CNKI (1991 to 2008) were searched. The quality of included studies was assessed according to the criteria recommended Cochrane Collaboration.Meta-analyses were performed using RevMan 4.2.2 software. Results Twenty seven trials, all published in China were included. The quality of these studies was low. Meta-analyses showed that normal treatment plus XNJ could significantly shorten action time [WMD= – 90.62 min, 95%CI (– 121.12, – 60.11)] and effective time [WMD= – 124.97 min, 95%CI (– 183.54, – 66.40)]. Normal treatment plus XNJ was similar with normal treatment plus naloxone in action time. No significant differences were observed in effective time between naloxone and XNJ. Conclusions It shows that XNJ injection plus western medical therapy is superior to western medical therapy. The curative efficacy of XNJ and Naloxone was similar.