Gabapentin for the treatment of persistent hiccups.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To report a case of persistent hiccups successfully treated with gabapentin in an elderly male.

SETTING:

An acute care unit for elders within a large teaching hospital.

CASE SUMMARY:

An 86-year-old male was admitted to the hospital for treatment of a urinary tract infection. In addition to his infection, the patient complained of bothersome hiccups with an onset several days prior to admission. He received metoclopramide for two days without improvement. Based on his medical history and a probable neurogenic etiology, gabapentin was recommended for his hiccups. Symptoms improved within several hours, with complete resolution after a dose titration to 200 mg twice daily on the second day of gabapentin treatment. The patient was ultimately discharged back to his long-term care facility, but was readmitted three days later for the treatment of pneumonia. His hiccups recurred and were treated unsuccessfully with metoclopramide in the emergency department. Gabapentin was reinitiated by the geriatric medicine team, and the patient's hiccups resolved once again.

CONCLUSION:

Randomized, controlled trials evaluating the use of gabapentin in the treatment of hiccups associated with neurogenic etiologies are lacking; however, case reports suggest that this agent may be an effective treatment option.

• Authors: Peter Campbell, Sharon Janak, Olga Hilas
• Journal: The Consultant pharmacist : the journal of the American Society of Consultant Pharmacists (Consult Pharm) Vol. 29 Issue 6 Pg. 408-12 (Jun 2014) ISSN: 0888-5109 [Print] United States
• PMID: 25202894 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists
• Gabapentin

Topics

• Aged, 80 and over
• Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists (therapeutic use)
• Gabapentin (therapeutic use)
• Hiccup (drug therapy)
• Humans
• Male