Baclofen for Hiccups: How a Muscle Relaxant Stops Persistent Hiccups

When hiccups last more than 48 hours, they’re not just annoying—they can wreck sleep, make eating impossible, and even lead to weight loss. That’s when baclofen, a muscle relaxant originally developed to treat spasticity in multiple sclerosis and spinal cord injuries becomes a go-to option for doctors. It’s not approved by the FDA for hiccups, but dozens of case studies and clinical reports show it works when nothing else does. Baclofen targets the GABA-B receptors in the brainstem, calming the nerve signals that trigger the diaphragm to spasm. This isn’t guesswork—it’s neuropharmacology in action.

People with hiccups that won’t quit often have nerve damage, brain injuries, or conditions like multiple sclerosis. But it’s not just for them. Even otherwise healthy people with unexplained chronic hiccups have found relief after trying baclofen. One study in the Journal of Neurogastroenterology and Motility tracked 12 patients with hiccups lasting over three months. After starting low-dose baclofen (5–10 mg three times a day), 10 of them stopped hiccuping within days. No surgery. No injections. Just a simple pill. That’s why emergency rooms and neurologists keep it on their shortlist. It’s not a first-line treatment, but when antacids, breath-holding, and peppermint oil fail, baclofen steps in. And unlike some drugs, it doesn’t make you drowsy all day—most users report mild fatigue at first, then adjust.

Still, it’s not for everyone. People with kidney problems, depression, or a history of seizures need careful monitoring. And while it’s safer than older options like chlorpromazine, it’s still a prescription drug. You don’t just walk into a pharmacy and ask for it. But if your hiccups have lasted weeks, and your doctor hasn’t mentioned baclofen, ask. It’s one of the few treatments with real evidence behind it. Below, you’ll find posts that dive into how drugs like baclofen get repurposed, why off-label uses matter, and what other medications doctors turn to when standard treatments fall short. This isn’t just about hiccups—it’s about how medicine adapts when the body won’t cooperate.