Hiccup and ephedrine

Twelve patients who developed hiccup during anaesthesia and surgery were treated successfully with an intravenous injection of ephedrine 5 mg (eleven cases) or 10 mg (one case). In nine patients ephedrine was successful after traditional methods had been tried and failed, and in three patients ephedrine was the only agent given. We conclude that ephedrine is a safe and easy mode of treatment for intractable hiccup during anaesthesia and surgery.