Effect of Over-the-counter NSAIDS on Cough Reflex Sensitivity in Patients With Upper Respiratory Tract Infections
Cough, Upper Respiratory Tract Infections
About this trial
This is an interventional basic science trial for Cough focused on measuring Cough, Cough sensitivity, Urge to cough, Respiratory tract infection, Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, Mechanism of disease
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria: An onset of any 2 URTI symptoms in past 3-5 days, such as a sore throat, fever, coughing, coughing up phlegm, sneezing, and runny nose; A current cough or urge-to-cough rated at least 5 in severity and/or ranking cough as subject's most bothersome symptom on Cold Symptoms Questionnaire (CSQ); A feeling of sickness interfering with their daily life, rated as at least mildly; A cough consistent with acute cough - i.e., cough onset with URTI and not ongoing, chronic cough; Written informed consent and a willingness and ability to comply with the study protocol. Exclusion Criteria: A pre-existing chronic lung disease (asthma, COPD, chronic bronchitis etc), to exclude these as causes for cough; The use of inhaled or systemic steroids / broncho-active medication, ACE inhibitors, oral or inhaled antihistamines, opiates, gabapentin, tricyclic antidepressants (current or within the past 3 months), as these will alter airway inflammatory profiles and/ or cough sensitivity; A current cigarette or marijuana smoker/vaper, recreational drug user, or have given up smoking/vaping within the last 12 months, or a former smoker with greater than 20 pack-years, alter airway inflammatory profiles and/ or cough sensitivity; Pre-existing chronic cough (cough persisting for more than 8 weeks): unexplained chronic cough (UCC) or refractory chronic cough (RCC) associated with or without a pre-existing condition (GERD, rhinitis, etc), as we are studying acute cough; Prior experience of an allergic or bad reaction to capsaicin or chilli (which is rare); Prior experience an allergic or bad reaction to a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) such as ibuprofen; Ongoing or history of stomach ulcer, impaired kidney or liver function, or heart failure; Pregnancy, lactation or actively trying to become pregnant; Currently taking other products with flurbiprofen, aspirin or other anti-inflammatory medicines; Evidence of COVID-19 positivity, either during the COVID Rapid Antigen Test administered on the day of assessment or have informed us that they have become positive in the 24-48 hours after the testing session (i.e., participants who were likely positive during assessment but under the detection threshold); Participants who cannot provide informed voluntary consent.
Sites / Locations
- University of MelbourneRecruiting
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Arm 3
Arm 4
Experimental
Placebo Comparator
Experimental
Other
Flurbiprofen Oral Lozenge
Placebo lozenge
Flurbiprofen 8.75 MG
Low dose flurbiprofen spray
30 participants will be asked to suck one (1) flurbiprofen 8.75 mg honey and lemon lozenge (tradename: Strepfen) until dissolved.
30 participants will be asked to suck one (1) non-medicated Difflam Soothing Drops + Immune Support Honey & Lemon flavour lozenge until dissolved.
30 participants will be asked to perform three (3) oral actuations (2.91 mg per actuation) of flurbiprofen 8.75mg spray.
30 participants will be asked to perform one (1) oral actuation of flurbiprofen 8.75 mg spray, equivalent to a 2.91mg dosage. This will serve a a low dose control as there is no placebo spray available.