Gefapixant: An Effective Drug To Treat Unexplained Chronic cough

Gefapixant: An Effective Drug To Treat Unexplained Chronic cough

Gefapixant is an oral P2X3 receptor antagonist that has been effective and safe in treating chronic refractory cough and unexplained chronic cough.

A study was conducted to confirm the effectiveness and safety of gefapixant in patients with unexplained chronic cough and chronic refractory cough.

Two studies viz COUGH-1 and COUGH-2 were phase III double-blind, randomized, parallel-group, placebo-controlled studies.

Participants for COUGH-1 are from 156 locations across 17 nations, whereas COUGH-2 are from 175 sites across 20 countries and above 18 diagnosed with a refractory chronic cough or unexplained chronic cough for at least a year.

Researchers used a computer-generated allocation schedule, and eligible participants were assigned (1:1:1) to one of three treatments randomly: placebo, gefapixant 15 mg twice per day, or gefapixant 45 mg twice per day.

All medications used in the study were administered orally.

The primary outcome of the study COUGH-1 is a placebo-adjusted mean change in 24-hour cough frequency after 12 weeks and 24 weeks in COUGH-2.

The findings were as follows:

1. Gefapixant 45 mg when given 2 times daily reduced the 24-hour cough frequency significantly more than placebo at week 12 in COUGH-1 and week 24 in COUGH-2.

2. Gefapixant 15 mg twice a day did not show a significant reduction in cough frequency when compared to placebo in all investigations.

3. Hypergeusia, dysgeusia, ageusia, hypogeusia, and taste abnormality were the most prevalent adverse events associated with taste disturbance.

It is concluded that gefapixant dosage assessment twice per day shows significant positive results, and authors recommend that this treatment should be considered very often for any unexplained chronic cough.

Source : Lancet