Hiccups, Hiccups and more Hiccups!!

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  • Specializes in hospice and palliative care. Has 6 years experience.

Today I had a pt who has been hiccuping for days on and off. Each time they last around 2-3 hours. The doc prescribed Haldol, but no matter what, they did not stop!! Anyone else ever had this happen? Any tips or tricks?

Sweeshynurse

11 Posts

Specializes in hospice and palliative care. Has 6 years experience.

This is a Hospice pt BTW

malenursega

6 Posts

Specializes in LTC adm, dementia care specialties, NAWC. Has 7 years experience.

Hi there im a hospice nusre from Ga if the pt is a cardiac or COPDer often tracheal secretions swelling or any other disturbance can cause a sort of automatic clonic spasm of the diaphragm thorazine is what we use in our e kits, also clear the secretions if possible

hope that helped hristopher

CapeCodMermaid, RN

6,090 Posts

Specializes in Gerontology, Med surg, Home Health. Has 30 years experience.

Thorazine.

tewdles, RN

3,156 Posts

Specializes in PICU, NICU, L&D, Public Health, Hospice. Has 31 years experience.

I read somewhere once that, like, 25% of end stage gut/panc/liver cancers suffer from intractable hiccups in the last week of life.

Thorazine and Haldol have been used most often in my experience.

Sweeshynurse

11 Posts

Specializes in hospice and palliative care. Has 6 years experience.

Thanks! My pt had Pancreatic CA. Unfortunately, Thorazine is not on our pharmacy formulary :bored:. But, good to know for the future. My pt did pass that evening.

tewdles, RN

3,156 Posts

Specializes in PICU, NICU, L&D, Public Health, Hospice. Has 31 years experience.
Thanks! My pt had Pancreatic CA. Unfortunately, Thorazine is not on our pharmacy formulary :bored:. But, good to know for the future. My pt did pass that evening.

You might ask if it could be added for this particular symptom, which is very unpleasant for many people. Thorazine is an old and pretty inexpensive medication for hospice use.

eternalsunshine

162 Posts

Specializes in Oncology, Palliative care.

Prochlorperazine and Chlorpromazine can also be used :)

mlynn1

1 Post

Thorazine or Baclofen. Both seem to work well.