Most people think hiccups are just a funny, annoying glitch-something that goes away after a few minutes or a scare. But for some, hiccups don’t quit. They last for days. Weeks. Even months. When that happens, it’s not funny anymore. It’s exhausting. It messes with sleep, eating, and mental health. And when standard remedies like holding your breath or drinking water fail, doctors sometimes turn to a drug no one expects: baclofen.
Why Hiccups Won’t Stop
Hiccups happen when the diaphragm spasms, and the vocal cords snap shut, making that classic hic sound. Most are harmless and short-lived. But when they last longer than 48 hours, they’re called persistent hiccups. If they go on for more than a month, they’re intractable. And that’s when things get serious.Chronic hiccups can be caused by nerve irritation, brain injuries, metabolic issues, or even certain medications. In some cases, no clear cause is found-this is called idiopathic hiccups. But one thing’s clear: the brain’s hiccup control center, near the medulla oblongata, gets stuck in a loop. Standard treatments-like antacids, chlorpromazine, or even acupuncture-often don’t work. That’s where baclofen comes in.
What Is Baclofen?
Baclofen is a muscle relaxant originally developed in the 1970s to treat muscle stiffness in people with multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injuries, or cerebral palsy. It works by mimicking the action of GABA-B, a calming neurotransmitter in the central nervous system. By reducing nerve signals that cause muscle spasms, it helps relax tight muscles.But doctors noticed something odd. Patients on baclofen for spasticity also reported their hiccups disappeared. A few case reports turned into small studies. By the early 2000s, multiple medical journals documented cases where baclofen ended hiccups that had lasted for months-even years.
How Baclofen Stops Hiccups
It’s not fully understood why baclofen works, but the leading theory is that it calms the nerve pathway that triggers the hiccup reflex. The phrenic and vagus nerves, which control the diaphragm and throat, are overactive in chronic hiccups. Baclofen reduces this overactivity by acting on GABA-B receptors in the brainstem. Think of it like turning down the volume on a stuck radio signal.In a 2017 study published in the Journal of Neurogastroenterology and Motility, 12 patients with intractable hiccups were given baclofen. Nine of them had complete relief within 24 to 72 hours. One patient had hiccups for 17 years. After starting baclofen, they stopped-completely. No recurrence for over a year.
Another case from Australia in 2021 involved a 68-year-old man who’d had hiccups for 11 months. He couldn’t eat solid food, lost 15 kilograms, and was on the verge of a feeding tube. His neurologist tried five other drugs. Nothing worked. Then he started baclofen at 5 mg three times a day. Within 36 hours, the hiccups vanished. He gained back the weight. He slept through the night for the first time in over a year.
Dosing and How It’s Used
Baclofen isn’t approved by the FDA or TGA specifically for hiccups, but it’s used off-label for this purpose. That means doctors prescribe it based on clinical evidence, not official labeling.The typical starting dose is 5 mg taken three times a day. Some patients need to go up to 10 mg three times daily. It’s usually taken with food to reduce stomach upset. Effects can show up within hours, but sometimes it takes a few days. Doctors often start low and increase slowly to avoid side effects.
It’s not a quick fix like a spoonful of sugar. You need to give it a few days. And you need to take it regularly-missing doses can bring the hiccups back.
Side Effects and Risks
Baclofen isn’t risk-free. Common side effects include drowsiness, dizziness, weakness, nausea, and dry mouth. These are usually mild and fade as your body adjusts. But some people feel too sedated to drive or work.More serious risks include confusion, hallucinations, or seizures-especially if you stop baclofen suddenly. Withdrawal can be dangerous. That’s why you never quit cold turkey. If you need to stop, your doctor will taper the dose over days or weeks.
Baclofen also interacts with alcohol, sedatives, and some antidepressants. If you’re on other medications, your doctor needs to check for interactions. People with kidney disease need lower doses because baclofen is cleared through the kidneys.
Who Should Try It
Baclofen is usually considered only after other options fail. It’s not for occasional hiccups. It’s for people who’ve tried everything else:- Hiccups lasting more than 48 hours
- Failed treatments like metoclopramide, gabapentin, or benzodiazepines
- Significant weight loss, insomnia, or depression from constant hiccups
- No underlying cancer or brain tumor causing the issue (those need different treatment)
If you’re in this group, talk to your doctor about baclofen. Bring up the studies. Ask for a referral to a neurologist or gastroenterologist if your GP isn’t familiar with it. It’s not a miracle drug, but for some, it’s the only thing that works.
Alternatives to Baclofen
If baclofen doesn’t work-or isn’t safe for you-other options exist:- Gabapentin: An antiseizure drug that also calms nerve activity. Often used in combination with baclofen.
- Chlorpromazine: An older antipsychotic. Effective but has more side effects like low blood pressure and movement issues.
- Nifedipine: A blood pressure drug that sometimes helps by relaxing smooth muscle in the diaphragm.
- Acupuncture: Limited evidence, but some patients report relief.
- Phrenic nerve block: A procedure where an anesthetic is injected near the nerve. Used only in extreme cases.
Some doctors now use a combination of baclofen and gabapentin. One 2023 case series showed 87% of patients had complete resolution with the combo, compared to 62% with baclofen alone.
Real Stories, Real Relief
A woman in Sydney had hiccups for 14 months after chemotherapy. She couldn’t speak without hiccupping. Her voice was gone. She cried every day. Her oncologist tried everything. Then she started baclofen. Within three days, the hiccups stopped. She started talking again. She started laughing again.A man in Adelaide, 72, had hiccups for 8 months after a minor stroke. He couldn’t eat. His family feared he’d need a feeding tube. His neurologist prescribed baclofen. Two days later, he ate his first full meal in months. He cried. His wife said, "It was like he came back to us."
These aren’t rare. They’re common enough that major hospitals in the U.S., U.K., and Australia now include baclofen in their protocols for intractable hiccups.
What to Do If You Have Persistent Hiccups
If you’ve had hiccups for more than two days:- See your doctor. Don’t wait.
- Keep a log: When did they start? What makes them better or worse? Have you lost weight?
- Ask about baclofen. Mention the studies. Ask if you’re a candidate.
- Get checked for underlying causes: chest X-ray, blood tests, brain imaging if needed.
- If your doctor says no, ask for a referral to a specialist in neurology or GI motility.
Don’t accept hiccups as "just part of aging" or "no big deal." If they’re lasting, they’re a signal. And baclofen might be the quiet hero you didn’t know existed.
Can baclofen cure hiccups permanently?
Baclofen doesn’t cure the underlying cause of hiccups-it stops the spasms. For many, hiccups stay gone as long as they take the medication. If the root issue is resolved (like a tumor shrinking or nerve irritation calming), hiccups may not return after stopping baclofen. But if the cause remains, hiccups can come back. Always follow your doctor’s advice on how long to take it.
Is baclofen safe for older adults?
Yes, but with caution. Older adults are more sensitive to baclofen’s sedative effects. Doctors usually start with 5 mg once or twice a day, not three times. Kidney function declines with age, so dosage may need adjustment. Regular check-ins with your doctor are essential.
How fast does baclofen work for hiccups?
Some people notice improvement within 24 hours. Most see results in 2 to 3 days. If there’s no change after 5 days at the right dose, your doctor may adjust the dose or try another option. Patience is key-but don’t wait too long without follow-up.
Can I buy baclofen over the counter?
No. Baclofen is a prescription-only medication in Australia and most countries. It’s not available at pharmacies without a doctor’s script. Never take someone else’s baclofen. Dosing is critical, and misuse can cause serious side effects or withdrawal.
Are there natural alternatives to baclofen?
For occasional hiccups, home remedies like swallowing sugar, sipping ice water, or breathing into a paper bag might help. But for persistent hiccups lasting days or weeks, there’s no proven natural fix. Herbal teas, acupuncture, or hypnosis have anecdotal support but lack strong evidence. Baclofen remains the most reliable medical option when standard treatments fail.
Beth Banham
November 4, 2025 AT 05:33Wow, I had no idea baclofen could do this. My aunt had hiccups for 11 months after her stroke and no one knew what to do. She started on it and within days she was eating again. I cried reading this. Thank you for sharing.