Treatment of intractable hiccups with valproic acid

Abstract
We used valproic acid (VPA) to treat five patients with incapacitating, intractable hiccups. Symptoms were eliminated in four and markedly improved in one after other therapies (granulated sugar, carbamazepine, chlorpromazine, and nasopharyngeal stimulation) had failed. Effective peak VPA plasma levels ranged from 34 to 96 pg per milliliter.