Hiccups are occasionally experienced by most individuals, and although not life-threatening, they may leadto a decline in quality of life. Shitei extract(shitei, persimmon calyx)may be usedfor the treatment of
hiccups. The effects of shitei extract were investigatedin patients admittedto the Japanese RedCross Musashino Hospital between October 2011 andM ay 2016. Numerous prescriptions for shitei extract were reportedin the Department of Respiratory Organs andNeurosurgery. The primary causes of
hiccups were
chemotherapy andbrain disease. Of 149 patients, 107(71.8%)sufferedfrom
hiccups. None of the patients reported adverse events related to the administration of shitei extract. The incidence of
hiccups was significantly higher in patients with
brain disease(p=0.0075), treatedwith
chemotherapy for
cancer(p=0.0402), or requiring the insertion of a gastric tube(p=0.0065). Among those treatedwith
chemotherapy for
cancer, shitei extract was effective against
hiccups in 82.0% patients(45 of 55). Furthermore, four patients receivedprophylaxis with shitei extract for the prevention of
hiccups after
chemotherapy. In conclusion, these results indicate that shitei extract is an effective and safe therapeutic
drug for the treatment of
hiccups. In particular, shitei extract was effective in the prevention of
hiccups after
chemotherapy.