From the Research
There are several remedies for hiccups, but lidocaine eardrops are not a standard treatment, and instead, lidocaine can be used medically for hiccups as an oral viscous solution or intravenous injection under medical supervision. For mild hiccups, try simple techniques like:
- Holding your breath for 10-20 seconds
- Drinking water quickly
- Gargling with ice water
- Breathing into a paper bag for a few minutes These methods can help reset your diaphragm's normal rhythm. For persistent hiccups, medications like baclofen (5-10 mg three times daily), chlorpromazine (25-50 mg), or metoclopramide (10 mg) may be prescribed by a doctor 1.
According to a systematic review published in 2017, baclofen, gabapentin, and metoclopramide were found to be successful in treating hiccups, with baclofen and metoclopramide being studied in randomized controlled trials 1. Another study published in 2018 recommends baclofen as the drug of choice for central causes of persistent hiccups, and metoclopramide for peripheral causes 2.
It's also worth noting that lidocaine can be used to treat hiccups, but it's typically administered as an oral viscous solution or intravenous injection, not as eardrops 3. Eardrops are not designed for hiccup treatment and using them this way could be ineffective or potentially harmful. Hiccups usually resolve on their own within minutes to hours, but if they persist for more than 48 hours, you should consult a healthcare provider as this could indicate an underlying medical condition requiring treatment.
In terms of the quality of life, persistent hiccups can have a profound impact on a patient's quality of life, and therefore, it's essential to manage them effectively 2. The management of persistent hiccups still presents an ongoing clinical challenge, however, requiring further research on pathophysiology and treatment strategies 2.