Hiccups happen when a person’s intake of air becomes momentarily blocked. When a hiccup forms, it is because of a sudden, involuntary contraction of the diaphragm at the same time as a contraction of the voice box, or larynx, and the total closure of the glottis, which is where the vocal cords are located. As a result, there is a sudden rush of air into the lungs, accompanied by the familiar “hic” sound.
Hiccups are medically known as synchronous diaphragmatic flutter or singultus. They can occur individually or in bouts. They are often rhythmic, meaning that the interval between each hiccup is relatively constant. Most people have hiccups from time to time, and they usually resolve without treatment within a few minutes.
Rarely, there may be prolonged or chronic hiccups, which can last for a month or longer. Hiccups that last for longer than 2 months are known as intractable hiccups. If a bout of hiccups lasts for longer than 48 hours, this is considered persistent, and the person should contact a doctor. This tends to be more common in men than women and could signify a more serious medical condition.
What is Xanax?
Xanax is a brand of alprazolam a benzodiazepine that works by enhancing the activity of certain neurotransmitters in the brain. Generic Xanax is also available as the brand-name medications Xanax and Xanax XR. A generic drug is an exact copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. Generic blue, green, and yellow Xanax is considered to be just as safe and effective as the original drug but tend to cost less.
Xanax is prescribed for the treatment of anxiety disorders and anxiety caused by depression. Xanax is also used to treat panic disorders with or without a fear of places and situations that might cause panic, helplessness, or embarrassment (agoraphobia).
Xanax is a federally controlled substance (C-IV) because it can be abused or lead to dependence. Xanax should be kept in a safe place to prevent misuse and abuse. Selling or giving away Xanax may harm others, and is against the law. Tell your healthcare provider if you have abused or been dependent on alcohol, prescription medicines, or street drugs.
Does Xanax Cause Hiccups?
Yes, studies have shown that Xanax can cause hiccups, reports of hiccups after administration of benzodiazepines like Xanax during two clinical trials are well documented. In surveys, of the 115,418 people who reported side effects when taking Xanax, 83 people (0.07%) have Hiccups.
The exact mechanism by which Xanax can cause hiccups is not well understood. However, it is thought that Xanax can affect the muscles in the diaphragm, which is the muscle that controls breathing.
Hiccups occur when the diaphragm contracts involuntarily, causing a sudden intake of breath that is then cut off by the closure of the vocal cords, producing the characteristic “hic” sound. Xanax may interfere with the normal functioning of the diaphragm, leading to hiccups.
Other medications that affect the central nervous system, such as benzodiazepines like Xanax, are also known to cause hiccups. In most cases, the hiccups are temporary and will go away on their own once the medication is discontinued or the dosage is reduced.
If you are experiencing hiccups while taking Xanax, it is important to talk to your doctor, who may recommend adjusting your dosage or switching to a different medication.
Why does Xanax cause hiccups?
Any medication that works through the brain can affect the way nerves work, and although very rare, it can cause what is called extrapyramidal effects, usually associated with muscle spasms or tremors. The diaphragm being a muscle may be undergoing “spasms” that cause hiccups. Having said this, hiccups are not a known side effect.
What can I do to relieve Xanax-induced hiccups?
Most people who take Xanax often experience acid reflux which is more likely to occur at night, and the irritation from this can cause hiccups. You may want to try an antacid such as Gaviscon but you should also consider discussing with your doctor about Xanax alternatives. If the hiccups continue for more than 24 hours, consider seeing a gastroenterologist in order to rule out more serious inflammation.
Experts also say that there is no formal treatment for intractable hiccups. However, doctors might recommend treatment on the basis of anecdotal evidence and their experience. The findings of this were published in the Current Neurology and Neuroscience Reports journal.
What are the possible side effects of Xanax?
Xanax may cause other unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
More common
• Being forgetful
• changes in patterns and rhythms of speech
• clumsiness or unsteadiness
• difficulty with coordination
• discouragement
• drowsiness
• feeling sad or empty
• irritability
• lack of appetite
• lightheadedness
• loss of interest or pleasure
• relaxed and calm
• shakiness and unsteady walk
• sleepiness
• slurred speech
• tiredness
• trouble concentrating
• trouble performing routine tasks
• trouble sleeping
• trouble speaking
• unsteadiness, trembling, or other problems with muscle control or coordination
• unusual tiredness or weakness
Less common
• Blurred vision
• body aches or pain
• burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, “pins and needles, or tingling feelings
• changes in behavior
• chills
• clay-colored stools
• confusion about identity, place, and time
• cough
• dark urine
• decrease in the frequency of urination
• decrease in urine volume
• diarrhea
• difficult or labored breathing
• difficulty in passing urine (dribbling)
• difficulty with concentration
• difficulty with moving
• dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
• dry mouth
• ear congestion
• environment seems unreal
• fainting
• feeling of unreality
• feeling warm
• fever
• general feeling of discomfort or illness
• headache
• inability to move the eyes
• inability to sit still
• increased blinking or spasms of the eyelid
• irregular heartbeats
• itching or rash
• joint pain
• lack or loss of self-control
• loss of bladder control
• loss of coordination
• loss of memory
• loss of voice
• mood or mental changes
• muscle aches, cramps, pain, stiffness, or weakness
• nausea
• need to keep moving
• painful urination
• problems with memory
• restlessness
• runny or stuffy nose
• seeing, hearing or feeling things that are not there
• seizures
• sense of detachment from self or body
• shaking
• shivering
• sneezing
• sore throat
• sticking out of the tongue
• stomach pain
• sweating
• swollen joints
• talkativeness
• tightness in the chest
• trouble with balance
• twitching, twisting, or uncontrolled repetitive movements of the tongue, lips, face, arms, or legs
• uncontrolled twisting movements of the neck, trunk, arms, or legs
• unpleasant breath odor
• unusual dullness or feeling of sluggishness
• unusual facial expressions
• unusually deep sleep
• unusually long duration of sleep
• vomiting of blood
• yellow eyes or skin
Rare
• Actions that are out of control
• attack, assault, or force
• chest pain
• continuing ringing or buzzing or other unexplained noise in the ears
• decreased awareness or responsiveness
• deep or fast breathing with dizziness
• ear pain
• false or unusual sense of well-being
• fast, irregular, pounding, or racing heartbeat or pulse
• feeling jittery
• feeling unusually cold
• generalized slowing of mental and physical activity
• hearing loss
• hoarseness
• lack of feeling or emotion
• loss of control of the legs
• loss of strength or energy
• nightmares
• numbness of the feet, hands, and around the mouth
• severe sleepiness
• shakiness in the legs, arms, hands, or feet
• sleep talking
• swelling
• talking, feeling, and acting with excitement
• thoughts of killing oneself
• uncaring
• unusual weak feeling
• voice changes
Incidence not known
• Light-colored stools
• upper right abdominal or stomach pain
After you stop using Xanax, get medical help right away if you have symptoms such as unusual muscle movements, being more active or talkative, sudden and severe changes in mood or behavior, confusion, hallucinations, seizures, suicidal thoughts or actions.
Some withdrawal symptoms may last up to 12 months or longer after stopping this medicine suddenly. Tell your doctor if you have ongoing anxiety, depression, problems with memory or thinking, trouble sleeping, ringing in your ears, a burning or prickly feeling, or a crawling sensation under your skin.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
