New drug could bring comfort to 6 million chronic cough sufferers

PEOPLE suffering from chronic coughing have been given hope of the first effective therapy for 50 years after a new drug showed “exciting” results.

Trials of a candidate medicine, originally intended to be a painkiller, reduced symptoms by up to 67 per cent.

Long-term uncontrolled coughing is thought to affect between four and 10 per cent of the population – potentially as many as six million people.

The condition can cause abdominal pain, urinary incontinence in women, as well as anxiety, depression and difficulty sleeping.

Until now, treatments for the debilitating condition have focused largely on addressing the underlying causes – where these can be identified – such as asthma, gastroesophageal reflux disease and nasal disease.

However, there have been no new licensed therapies to address coughing itself since 1970s and these only work for a fraction of sufferers.

Published in The Lancet Respiratory Medicine, the new 12-week trial of 253 patients tested a drug called Gefapixant, which targets receptors in the nerves that control coughing.

Medics at the University of Manchester found that a dose of 7.5mg reduced the coughing by 52 per cent, 20mg by 52 per cent and 50mg by 67 per cent. Prof Jacky Smith, who led the research, said: “This drug has exciting prospects for patients who suffer from the often distressing condition of chronic cough. Effective treatments for cough are a significant unmet clinical need and no new therapies approved in over 50 years.

“Billions of pounds are spent annually on over-the-counter cough and cold medicines despite a lack of evidence to support their efficacy, concerns about the potential for abuse and risk of harm in overdose.”

Both studies were randomised and double blind, in which neither the participants nor the experimenters knew who received the treatment.

The drug is now in two larger global phase 3 trials, meaning it could be potentially widely available within two or three years, subject to regulatory approval.

Prof Smith added: “We can’t yet say when or if this drug will be available on prescription. However, if the phase 3 trial is successful then it would certainly be a major step towards everyday use.

“Though it’s fair to say the drug is not a cure for chronic cough, it can and often does reduce the frequency of coughing substantially.

“That could make a big difference to patients who often struggle with this condition, which can make such a big impact on their lives.”