Treatment of Intractable Hiccup with Baclofen: Results of a Double‐Blind Randomized, Controlled, Cross‐over Study

Four patients with intractable hiccup were treated In a double‐blind, randomized, placebo, cross‐over study with an analogue of μgm‐aminobutyric acid, Baclofen. There was a consistent and statistically significant (p= 0.03) improvement in hiccup severity with Baclofen, both subjectively (p= 0.03) and by hiccup‐free periods (p= 0.003). The actual frequency of hiccup was not significantly altered by the medication. We propose that the mechanical aspects of hiccup are reduced by Baclofen, leading to a perceptual blockage and a decrease in the reflex severity induced by the μgm‐aminobutyric acid analogue. We conclude that this medication may be useful for the treatment of intractable hiccup.