Epilepsy drug to treat chronic cough
Australian researchers have found that a drug used to treat epilepsy can help patients suffering a chronic cough.
Doctors from the Hunter Medical Research Institute in New South Wales trialled a drug called Gabapentin which is commonly used for epilepsy and pain.
Lead researcher Dr Nicole Ryan says more than 60 patients were given the epilepsy drug.
Dr Ryan says three quarters of the patients reported an improvement in their symptoms, but the symptoms came back once they stopped taking the drug.
"The participants taking Gabapentin had a significant increase in their quality of life compared to the people on the placebo," she said.
"It's thought that the drug suppresses a nerve-related trigger which stimulates the persistent cough."