Dexamethasone Hiccups: Causes, Risks, and What to Do

When you take dexamethasone, a powerful corticosteroid used to reduce inflammation and suppress immune responses. Also known as Decadron, it's commonly prescribed for allergies, autoimmune conditions, and even to ease nausea during chemotherapy. But for some people, this drug triggers something unexpected: hiccups that won’t stop. Not the kind you get after eating too fast—these last for days, sometimes weeks, and they’re frustrating, exhausting, and sometimes painful.

It’s not rare. Studies show up to 15% of people on high-dose dexamethasone develop persistent hiccups, especially those getting it for cancer treatment or brain swelling. The exact reason isn’t fully understood, but it likely involves the drug’s effect on the brainstem and diaphragm control centers. Dexamethasone can irritate the vagus and phrenic nerves, which tell your diaphragm when to contract. When those signals get mixed up, you get hiccups. And unlike typical hiccups, these don’t go away with holding your breath or drinking water.

This isn’t just an annoyance—it can interfere with sleep, eating, and recovery. People on long-term dexamethasone, like those with multiple myeloma or severe asthma, are especially vulnerable. And if you’ve switched from another steroid to dexamethasone, you might not realize this side effect is new. It’s not listed prominently on most patient sheets, so many assume it’s just stress or indigestion.

What helps? First, don’t ignore it. If hiccups last more than 48 hours, talk to your doctor. Lowering the dose, if possible, often helps. Some patients find relief with baclofen, a muscle relaxant that calms nerve signals. Others respond to metoclopramide, which speeds up stomach emptying and reduces nerve irritation. In rare cases, switching to a different steroid like prednisone makes a difference. But never adjust your dose on your own—dexamethasone affects your immune system and cortisol levels, and stopping suddenly can be dangerous.

There’s also a practical side: avoid triggers that make hiccups worse. Carbonated drinks, spicy food, and eating too fast can push the diaphragm into overdrive. Sipping ice water slowly, swallowing a teaspoon of sugar, or gently massaging the carotid sinus (under the jaw) might give temporary relief. Some people swear by acupuncture or breathing techniques, but evidence is thin. What works for one person may not work for another.

This is why the posts below matter. You’ll find real-world advice from people who’ve dealt with steroid side effects, from managing dexamethasone hiccups to understanding how other drugs like metformin or levothyroxine interact with your body’s systems. You’ll learn how to spot unusual reactions to generics, why timing matters with thyroid meds, and how to tell if a side effect is harmless or a red flag. These aren’t theoretical guides—they’re practical tools built from experience and clinical data.