Educational information only, not medical advice. Read the disclaimer
DrHiccups
Hiccups explained

Hiccup Remedies: What the Evidence Says About Home Cures

2 min read · Published 29 October 2026

Written from the public health sources listed below. This article has not yet been reviewed by a clinician. See our editorial policy.

Almost everyone has a favourite hiccup cure, but there is no proven remedy that works for everyone.[1][2] Below is a fair summary of the most popular ones.

A note on the evidence: reviews of treatments for long-lasting hiccups describe the research as limited,[3] and for brief everyday hiccups most advice is based on tradition and personal experience rather than strong trials. One theory is that some tricks stimulate the vagus nerve or raise carbon dioxide levels, but this is not firmly established.[1]

Remedies at a Glance

RemedyWhat sources sayOur view
Small sips of cold waterCommonly listed; no guarantee[2][1]Gentle option, if swallowing is comfortable
Brief breath-holdCommonly listed; effectiveness unproven[4][2]Gentle option, only if comfortable. Never force
DistractionSuggested by hospital health pages[5]Safe and easy
Knees to chestListed as a home method; unproven[4]Optional, if comfortable
Gargling cold waterListed as unproven[1]Low risk, but little evidence
Biting a lemon, pulling the tongue, swallowing sugarListed as folk remedies[2][1]Not recommended here: thin evidence, not suitable for everyone
Breathing into a paper bagListed by some sources[2][1]Not recommended: interferes with normal breathing
Being startledMentioned; effectiveness unclear[4]Avoid
Acupuncture or hypnosisUsed by clinicians in some persistent cases[6]; limited data[1]A matter for a healthcare professional
Prescription medicinesDoctors may use medicines such as chlorpromazine or metoclopramide for stubborn hiccups[7]Doctor-only. Never self-medicate

How to Judge a Hiccup Remedy Claim

  • Be wary of “instant” or “guaranteed” claims. Hiccups often stop on their own, so almost any trick can look like it worked.
  • Ask whether it could cause harm. If it risks choking, fainting or disrupting breathing, skip it.
  • Match the remedy to the situation. Short everyday hiccups are different from hiccups lasting days, which need a doctor, not a kitchen trick.[8]
  • Check who is talking. Prefer public health bodies and hospitals over product pages.

If Hiccups Do Not Stop

Home remedies are generally meant for brief hiccups. If yours last more than 48 hours, see a doctor, who will look for an underlying cause or a medicine that may be involved.[9] See persistent hiccups.

Ready for a safe routine? Go back to how to stop hiccups.

Coming soon

Explore the Practical Hiccups Video Guide

The guide pulls the safer ideas into one short video, and is clear about what is unproven.

Educational only. The guide does not replace medical advice or treatment.

See the Guide DetailsWatch the free animation

References

  1. Hiccups. Cleveland Clinic.
  2. Hiccups. MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, U.S. National Library of Medicine.
  3. Moretto EN, Wee B, Wiffen PJ, et al. Interventions for treating persistent and intractable hiccups in adults. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2013;(1):CD008768.
  4. Hiccups. Healthdirect Australia.
  5. Are hiccups dangerous? UPMC HealthBeat.
  6. Hiccups. Michigan Medicine, University of Michigan Health.
  7. Hiccups, Chronic. National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD).
  8. Hiccups. NHS 111 Wales (content adapted from NHS UK).
  9. Hiccups. NI Direct (content adapted from the NHS website).

Medical disclaimer: this article is general information, not medical advice.