Metoclopramide for migraine-associated hiccup

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Gastroenterology

Background:

• Persistent hiccups are a rare but distressing disorder.
• Migraine headaches are common neurological conditions often accompanied by various symptoms.

Observation:

• This case report details a patient experiencing sustained hiccups during a migraine attack.
• The patient presented with an unusual symptom of prolonged hiccups and nausea associated with migraine.

Findings:

• Metoclopramide demonstrated rapid efficacy in controlling both the sustained hiccups and the migraine headache.
• The proposed mechanism involves metoclopramide's action on vasopressin release, potentially aborting the migraine.
• Restoration of esophageal smooth muscle function is attributed to dopaminergic antagonism and cholinergic activity.

Implications:

• This suggests that sustained hiccups can be an atypical presentation of migraine.
• Metoclopramide may be a valuable therapeutic option for managing migraine-associated hiccups.
• Understanding the neurochemical pathways involved could lead to novel treatment strategies for both conditions.