Chronic cough lasts more than 8 weeks. Most is driven by asthma, reflux or nasal drip and improves when those are treated. For the cough that remains, no drug is approved in the US, and two leading pills have stalled. Therapy and new drug types are the next hope.
- 16studies open or running
- 2phase 3 trials
- 437papers published this year
- 2NIH-funded projects
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Now
Nov 2026
Cough-nerve pills have stalledHappened 34.4% fewer coughs, mid-stage
Gefapixant was turned down twice in the US. Camlipixant was dropped in July 2026 after mixed phase 3 results.
34.4%: fewer coughs over 24 hours at 50 mg compared with placebo, in the mid-stage trial.
Nalbuphine works in lung fibrosis coughHappened 53.4% vs 16.9% fewer coughs an hour
In a 165-person trial, extended-release nalbuphine cut cough counts by about half.
53.4% vs 16.9%: fewer coughs per hour at the middle dose vs placebo.
Cough-control therapy onlineHappened 72% improved quality of life
A home internet version of behavioral cough suppression therapy helped most people who finished it.
72%: had a meaningful improvement in cough-related quality of life.
-
6 months
by May 2027
NOC-110 mid-stage resultPossible
A new type of cough drug tested in 455 people; the trial is fully enrolled and passed its June 2026 completion date.
Old antidepressants for coughPossible
Mayo Clinic is testing two doses of duloxetine and amitriptyline, sometimes used off-label for cough.
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12 months
by Nov 2027
Nalbuphine in everyday chronic coughPossible 53.4% vs 16.9% fewer coughs an hour
A 100-person trial tests nalbuphine in chronic cough without lung fibrosis. Due September 2027.
53.4% vs 16.9%: fewer coughs per hour at the middle dose vs placebo.
A magnesium mouth sprayLong shot
SC0032, a magnesium salt spray, against placebo in 60 people. Due January 2027.
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3 years
by late 2029
First US-approved drug for refractory coughLong shot 53.4% vs 16.9% fewer coughs an hour
Nalbuphine is the most likely candidate if its larger trials succeed.
53.4% vs 16.9%: fewer coughs per hour at the middle dose vs placebo.
-
5 years
by late 2031
Why cough therapy worksPossible
An NIH-funded trial at the University of Montana studies how behavioral cough suppression changes cough reflexes. It finishes in 2029.
Device treatment for the larynxLong shot
Vibration applied to the throat is being developed to calm the cough reflex.
The research paths
Calming cough nerves with P2X3 drugs
34.4% fewer coughs, mid-stageDetails and 1 trialsHide
Pills blocking P2X3 receptors reduce cough modestly. Gefapixant also dulls taste. Neither leading drug has been approved in the US.
WatchWhether any company continues in this class.
Other drug types
53.4% vs 16.9% fewer coughs an hourDetails and 3 trialsHide
Nalbuphine, a nerve-channel blocker (NOC-110), and repurposed medicines are being tested.
WatchNalbuphine in chronic cough without lung disease.
Therapy and devices
72% improved quality of lifeDetails and 1 trialsHide
Behavioral cough suppression works but few people can get it. Online programs and throat devices aim to widen access.
WatchA digital therapy product.
Borrowed from other conditions
From Pain medicine
Nalbuphine
53.4% vs 16.9% fewer coughs an hour
Phase 2
An injectable pain medicine, reformulated as an extended-release pill.
From Depression and nerve pain
Duloxetine and amitriptyline
Phase 2
Medicines that calm nerve signaling, tested at low doses for cough.
Open to join now
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Refractory chronic cough
Nalbuphine extended-release
Locations and eligibility → -
Refractory cough, Mayo Clinic
Duloxetine or amitriptyline
Locations and eligibility → -
Refractory cough, Montana
Behavioral cough suppression therapy
Locations and eligibility → -
Chronic cough
Magnesium mouth spray
Locations and eligibility →
See every recruiting chronic cough trial →
When the trials finish
Completion dates the trials registered. Results usually follow 3 to 12 months later.
- Heating up
- Maturing
- Early
- Cooling
- Fully enrolled, waiting on results
- Still enrolling
Knowledge on the way
Not treatments yet: detection, causes and how care is delivered. Mostly NIH-funded.
- AreaQuestionFunded throughNews likely
- Care How behavioral cough suppression therapy changes the cough reflexUniversity of Montana · NIH Funded through May 2030 News likely 2029–2030
- Care Vibration on the throat to calm a stubborn coughUniversity of Minnesota · NIH Funded through Jul 2027 News likely 2027
What just happened
Camlipixant dropped after mixed phase 3 results
One trial met its goal, the other missed.
Nalbuphine cut cough by about half in lung fibrosis
CORAL trial, 165 people.
Standard treatment today
- First stepsLook for and treat asthma, reflux, nasal drip, and medicines that cause cough such as ACE inhibitors.
- Cough that remainsBehavioral cough suppression therapy with a speech-language pathologist; low-dose gabapentin, pregabalin or morphine off-label.
- Outside the USGefapixant is approved in Europe and Japan.
How to read this page, and sourcesHow to read this page, and sources
- Most trials measure cough counts over a day; how much people notice the change varies.
- Completion dates are what each trial registered. Results usually follow 3 to 12 months later.
- Forecasts are editorial judgments by Find a Trial, not predictions from sponsors or regulators.
See chronic cough trials recruiting now →