New drug: gefapixant for chronic cough

Gefapixant (Lyfnua®) is a new drug from the group of P2X3 antagonists, which has been authorised for the treatment of chronic unexplained or refractory cough. Two phase 3 trials, called COUGH-1 and COUGH-2, have found that, compared to placebo, gefapixant significantly reduces the 24-h coughing frequency, by 18.5% and 14.6%, respectively. The use of gefapixant is, however, limited by the common and characteristic taste-related adverse effects.