Can morphine or pregabalin finally stop that nagging cough?
NCT ID NCT07288528
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Aug 20, 2026 · Updated 2 times
Summary
This study tests two common nerve-pain drugs (low-dose morphine and pregabalin) and a virtual cough-control therapy, alone or together, in 124 adults with chronic cough that hasn't improved with standard treatments. The goal is to see which approach best reduces coughing frequency over 6 weeks. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of four treatment combinations.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- low-dose morphine, pregabalin, and virtual cough control therapy
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this trial could provide effective, well-tolerated options to reduce coughing in people with chronic cough that hasn't responded to other treatments.
- What could go wrong
- This is a relatively small, early-phase trial, so results may not apply to everyone. Both morphine and pregabalin can cause side effects like drowsiness or dizziness, and the virtual therapy may not work for all patients.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Phase 4
Runs after approval, following long-term safety and how well the treatment works in everyday use.
- Participants
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About 124 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Expected to start
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Sep 2026
An estimate. Start dates often move.
- Expected to finish
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Oct 2029
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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18 years and older
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Adults (≥18 years old) with either: 2. Refractory chronic cough (RCC), defined as having one or more identifiable causes of cough (asthma, allergic rhinitis, and/or GERD), but with previous trials of treatment targeting the underlying condition leading to no cough resolution; OR 3. Unexplained chronic cough (UCC), defined as having a cough lasting \>8 weeks with (i) a normal chest X-ray/CT in the last 5 years and since the onset of chronic cough; (ii) FEV1 and FVC ≥80% predicted or \>lower limit of normal (LLN); (iii) FEV1/FVC ≥0.7 or \>LLN; (iv) no evidence of asthma; and (vi) no regular symptoms of nasal/reflux disease. Exclusion Criteria: 1. Those who, in the opinion of the investigator, have previously tried low-dose morphine, pregabalin, and/or CCT with full intervention fidelity for the treatment of RCC/UCC; 2. Are currently taking morphine or pregabalin for the treatment of any indication (i.e., RCC/UCC or chronic pain);\* 3. Are currently taking other centrally-acting medication (i.e., gabapentin, amitriptyline, dextromethorphan) for the treatment of any indication (i.e., RCC/UCC, seizures, or depression);\* 4. Have a history of opioid or substance abuse that, in the opinion of the investigator, may interfere with the conduct of the study; 5. Are a current smoker, or ex-smoker with a \>20 pack-year history who have abstained from smoking for \<6 months; 6. Have cough due to angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor use; 7. Have symptoms of an upper respiratory infection within the last month that have not resolved; 8. Had an asthma exacerbation within the last month that requires an increase or start of an oral corticosteroid; 9. Have other primary pulmonary disorders, including pulmonary embolism, pulmonary hypertension, lung cancer, cystic fibrosis, radiologically-proven emphysema, interstitial lung disease, or severe bronchiectasis; 10. Have language, memory, cognitive, or psychiatric issues that may prevent optimal participation; 11. Have creatinine clearance \<15 mL/min, including individuals with end-stage renal disease who require hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis; 12. Have any other condition that, in the opinion of the qualified investigator, may adversely affect the participant's ability to complete the study or its measures or pose significant risk to the participant; 13. Have participated in another clinical trial of an investigational medicinal product within 30 days; 14. Pregnant or breastfeeding; or 15. Females of child-bearing potential who: 1. Do not agree to use a medically approved method of birth control for the duration of the study. All hormonal birth control must have been in use for a minimum of 3 months. 2. Acceptable methods of birth control include oral contraceptives, hormone birth control patch, vaginal contraceptive ring, injectable contraceptives, or hormone implant, double-barrier method, intrauterine devices, non-heterosexual lifestyle or agrees to use contraception if planning on changing to heterosexual partner(s), vasectomy of partner at least 6 months prior to screening. 3. Females who are not of child-bearing potential will be defined as females who have undergone a sterilization procedure (e.g., hysterectomy, bilateral oophorectomy, bilateral tubal ligation, complete endometrial ablation) or have been post-menopausal for at least 1 year prior to screening. * Participants taking any of the above medications at baseline will only be eligible if they are willing and medically able to safely discontinue them at least 2 weeks prior to the first study visit. Eligibility will be confirmed by the local study investigator prior to enrolment.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The places running it
5 sites. The list below names each one and where it is.
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The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
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A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Centre de recherche du Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Sherbrooke
Sherbrooke, Quebec, J1H 5N4, Canada
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Institut universitaire de cardiologie et de pneumologie de Quebec - University Laval
Québec, Quebec, G1V 4G5, Canada
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Respiratory Clinical Trials Centre, University of Calgary
Calgary, Alberta, T2N 4Z6, Canada
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Respiratory Research Lab, McMaster University
Hamilton, Ontario, L8N 3Z5, Canada
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St Joseph's Health Care London
London, Ontario, N6A 4V2, Canada
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