Is there a way to stop hiccups on your own?

Reviewed by Yoshinori Abe, MD

Internal Medicine

Hiccups can often be stopped with simple home remedies, such as holding your breath, drinking cold water slowly, or breathing into a paper bag. These techniques work by resetting the diaphragm or increasing carbon dioxide levels in the blood. However, when hiccups persist for more than 48 hours (known as persistent or intractable hiccups), medical evaluation is recommended. In these cases, doctors may prescribe oral medications such as baclofen, gabapentin, or chlorpromazine, and investigate potential underlying causes like nerve irritation, gastrointestinal issues, or central nervous system conditions.

If your hiccups won't go away—or you're experiencing other unexplained symptoms alongside them—it's worth understanding what could be behind it before your next steps. A free, AI-powered symptom check takes just 3 minutes, is completely anonymous, and can help you identify possible causes and decide whether to see a doctor. Getting clarity now could save you time, worry, and unnecessary appointments later.

Reviewed for medical accuracy: 07/14/2026

Important Next Steps

Discover what’s causing your hiccups Learn if hiccups need medical care See if hiccups signal something serious Find OTC options to stop hiccups Find a doctor for persistent hiccups Understand home remedies for hiccups Find likely hiccup causes and severity

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Explanation

The way to stop hiccups differs depending on whether they are temporary, persistent, or intractable.

How to Stop Temporary Hiccups

One of the simplest methods to stop hiccups is to temporarily hold your breath. By holding your breath, the diaphragm is directly stimulated, and the increased concentration of carbon dioxide makes it easier to stop hiccups. Additionally, there are methods to stop hiccups by stimulating the vagus nerve, pulling on the tongue, drinking a cold drink, applying gentle pressure to the carotid, sipping vinegar or swallowing sugar. If hiccups are triggered by habits such as overeating, drinking excessively, or eating too quickly, improving these eating habits can also be effective.

How to stop persistent and intractable hiccups

Persistent hiccups are often caused by acid reflux. Therefore, medications that suppress stomach acid are considered effective. Conversely, if a medication is inducing hiccups, stopping or switching to a different medication can lead to improvement. After speaking with a health care provider, you may also try medications that work to suppress the hiccup reflex. If your hiccups continue despite trying these remedies, use our free AI symptom checker to help identify potential underlying causes and determine when to seek medical attention. If there is no improvement with medication treatment, acupuncture may sometimes prove effective.

(References)

Steger M, Schneemann M, Fox M. Systemic review: the pathogenesis and pharmacological treatment of hiccups. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2015 Nov;42(9):1037-50. doi: 10.1111/apt.13374. Epub 2015 Aug 25. PMID: 26307025.

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