From the FDA Drug Label
Intractable Hiccups– 25 mg to 50 mg t.i.d. or q.i.d. If symptoms persist for 2 to 3 days, parenteral therapy is indicated.
The treatment for intractable hiccups is chlorpromazine (PO) with a dosage of 25 mg to 50 mg administered three to four times a day. If symptoms persist for 2 to 3 days, parenteral therapy is indicated 1.
From the Research
For the treatment of hiccups, the most effective approach is to first try simple home remedies such as holding breath, drinking cold water, or gargling with ice water, and if these fail, consider medical treatment with medications like baclofen (5-10mg three times daily) as suggested by the most recent study 2.
Home Remedies
Some home remedies that can be tried to treat hiccups include:
- Holding breath for 10-20 seconds
- Drinking a glass of cold water quickly
- Gargling with ice water
- Breathing into a paper bag for a few minutes
- Pulling gently on the tongue These methods work by interrupting the hiccup reflex or stimulating the vagus nerve, which can reset the diaphragm spasms causing hiccups.
Medical Treatment
For persistent hiccups lasting more than 48 hours, medical treatment may be necessary.
- Medications like baclofen (5-10mg three times daily) may be prescribed, as it has been studied in a prospective manner and randomized controlled trials 3.
- Other medications such as metoclopramide (10mg) or chlorpromazine (25-50mg) may also be considered, although the evidence for their use is not as strong 4, 5.
- In rare cases of intractable hiccups, nerve blocks or even surgical intervention might be considered.
Underlying Conditions
It is essential to consult a healthcare provider for hiccups that persist beyond a day or two, as they may indicate an underlying medical condition requiring specific treatment, such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) 5.
- A proton pump inhibitor (PPI) may be prescribed as first-line therapy for GERD-related hiccups.
- Other underlying conditions, such as central nervous system disorders or tumors, may also need to be explored and treated accordingly.