title: Metoclopramide for patients with intractable hiccups: a multicentre, randomised, controlled pilot study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Limited data exist regarding the efficacy of metoclopramide in the treatment of intractable hiccups.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed to assess the feasibility efficacy of metoclopramide in the treatment of patients with intractable hiccups.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 36 patients with intractable hiccups was randomly assigned to arm A (n = 18) or arm B (n = 18) in a multicentre, double-blind, randomised, controlled pilot study. Participants in arm A received 10-mg metoclopramide thrice daily for 15 days, whereas those assigned to arm B received 10-mg placebo thrice daily for 15 days. The primary outcome measure was total efficacy against hiccups (including cessation and improvement of hiccups). Secondary outcome measures included a comparison of overall efficacy and adverse events between the two arms.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 36 patients enrolled, 34 participants completed the study. The total efficacy was higher in arm A than in arm B (relative risk, 2.75; 95% confidence interval: 1.09-6.94, P = 0.03). Furthermore, comparison between the two arms revealed that overall efficacy was higher in arm A than that in arm B (P < 0.05). No serious adverse events related to the treatment were documented in either arm. The most common adverse events occurring in patients in arm A included fatigue, upset mood and dizziness.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Metoclopramide appears to be a promising candidate for the treatment of patients with intractable hiccups, with mild adverse events. However, further clinical trials are required to confirm these results.
authors: Department of Neurology, First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China; Department of Neurology, Chinese Medicine Hospital of Daqing, Daqing, China.
authors: T
authors: T
authors: Wang
authors: D
authors: D
authors: Wang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002681:China; D065127:Dopamine D2 Receptor Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006606:Hiccup / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008787:Metoclopramide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D065127:Dopamine D2 Receptor Antagonists; D008787:Metoclopramide
keywords: efficacy; intractable hiccup; metoclopramide; randomised controlled study