Dexamethasone Hiccups: Why This Steroid Can Cause Persistent Hiccups and What to Do

When you take dexamethasone, a powerful corticosteroid used to reduce inflammation and suppress immune responses. Also known as a synthetic glucocorticoid, it's prescribed for everything from allergies to cancer treatment. But one strange, often overlooked side effect is persistent hiccups — not just a quick hiccup, but a relentless, disruptive bout that can last days or weeks.

Dexamethasone hiccups aren’t rare. In fact, studies show up to 1 in 10 people on high-dose dexamethasone experience them, especially those getting it for brain tumors, multiple myeloma, or severe nausea from chemotherapy. It’s not the drug itself causing spasms — it’s how it affects your brainstem and vagus nerve, the same nerves that control your diaphragm. Think of it like your body’s hiccup switch getting stuck. And unlike typical hiccups that fade after a few minutes, these stick around because dexamethasone stays in your system for days. Even worse, some people try to treat the hiccups with home remedies — holding their breath, drinking water upside down — but those rarely work when the cause is drug-induced.

What helps? First, stop blaming yourself. These hiccups aren’t your fault. If you’re on dexamethasone and the hiccups won’t quit, talk to your doctor about lowering the dose or switching to another steroid like prednisone — which is less likely to trigger this reaction. Sometimes, adding a simple medication like baclofen or chlorpromazine can shut it down fast. There’s even evidence that a single dose of metoclopramide can help. And if you’re on dexamethasone for cancer, your oncologist might have seen this before and already have a plan. Don’t suffer in silence. Also, keep in mind that corticosteroid side effects, a broad category including weight gain, mood swings, and high blood sugar, are often more noticeable than hiccups — but that doesn’t mean hiccups aren’t worth addressing. They can ruin sleep, make eating impossible, and even cause vomiting or rib fractures from constant spasms.

And here’s something most people don’t realize: dexamethasone isn’t the only steroid that does this. Other glucocorticoids like methylprednisolone can trigger hiccups too — but dexamethasone is the worst offender. Why? It crosses the blood-brain barrier more easily than others, directly irritating the hiccup center in your brain. So if you’ve had hiccups on one steroid and they stopped when you switched, that’s not coincidence. It’s science. If you’re taking dexamethasone long-term, your doctor should monitor for this. If you’re on it for just a few days, know that the hiccups might go away once you stop — but they might not. That’s why it’s worth speaking up early.

The posts below cover real-world stories and medical insights about unexpected drug reactions — from licorice messing with blood pressure to antihistamines causing allergic reactions instead of relief. You’ll find practical advice on spotting strange side effects, how to talk to your provider about them, and what alternatives might work better. Whether you’re dealing with dexamethasone hiccups or something else that doesn’t add up, you’re not alone — and there’s a way forward.