Persistent Hiccups Associated with High Dose Corticosteroid Therapy

 

Clinical features:

(1) Onset of persistent hiccups in a patient receiving high dose corticosteroids, most often dexamethasone or methylprednisolone.

(2) Disappearance of hiccups on discontinuing the corticosteroid therapy. This may take from a few hours to several days.

(3) Exclusion of other causes for the persistent hiccups.

 

For some patients this is a dose-related effect. These patients can receive the corticosteroid but at a lower dose.

 

If the steroid dose cannot be decreased or discontinued, then therapy with metoclopramide or baclofen may permit continued steroid therapy.