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Persistent hiccups with continuous intrathecal morphine infusion

Vivek Loomba1, Mayank Gupta, David Kim

  • 1Department of Anesthesiology, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, MI 48202, USA. vivek.loomba@gmail.com

The Clinical Journal of Pain
|June 17, 2011
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Intrathecal (IT) morphine infusion can cause persistent hiccups. Substituting IT morphine with IT hydromorphone effectively resolved the hiccups in a patient receiving chronic pain management.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Pain Management
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Intrathecal (IT) morphine is utilized for chronic pain management.
  • Hiccups are a potential adverse effect of opioid administration.

Observation:

  • A 44-year-old male patient developed intractable hiccups during IT morphine infusion therapy.
  • The hiccups persisted despite multiple non-pharmacological and pharmacological interventions.

Findings:

  • Substitution of IT morphine with IT hydromorphone led to complete resolution of the patient's hiccups.
  • This suggests a direct link between IT morphine and the development of persistent hiccups.

Implications:

  • Clinicians should consider IT morphine as a potential cause of persistent hiccups in patients.
  • Switching to alternative intrathecal opioids, such as hydromorphone, may be an effective management strategy.

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