Alpha-2-delta ligands for singultus (hiccup) treatment: three case reports

J Pain Symptom Manage. 2007 Jun;33(6):756-60. doi: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2006.09.026. Epub 2007 Mar 23.

Abstract

Chronic idiopathic singultus (hiccup) is a debilitating condition affecting mostly elderly males. While in the past, pharmacologic singultus treatment was mostly "trial and error," more recently, treatment has become both more evidence based and pathophysiology guided. A combination of an acidity-reducing drug (H(2)-receptor blocker or proton pump inhibitor) with baclofen (gamma-amino-butyric-acid receptor type B agonist) has become the most widely used regimen. Some clinicians replace or supplement baclofen with gabapentin. We present three cases of chronic idiopathic hiccup managed with gabapentin or another alpha-2-delta ligand, pregabalin. This is the first reported use of pregabalin for this indication.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Amines / pharmacology
  • Amines / therapeutic use*
  • Anticonvulsants / pharmacology
  • Anticonvulsants / therapeutic use*
  • Calcium Channels / drug effects
  • Chronic Disease
  • Cyclohexanecarboxylic Acids / pharmacology
  • Cyclohexanecarboxylic Acids / therapeutic use*
  • Gabapentin
  • Hiccup / drug therapy*
  • Humans
  • Ligands
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Pregabalin
  • gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / analogs & derivatives*
  • gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / pharmacology
  • gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Amines
  • Anticonvulsants
  • CACNA2D1 protein, human
  • Calcium Channels
  • Cyclohexanecarboxylic Acids
  • Ligands
  • Pregabalin
  • gamma-Aminobutyric Acid
  • Gabapentin