The Utility of Nexium in Chronic Cough and Reflux Disease

Inclusion Criteria: males and females (of non-childbearing potential. ie-surgically sterile, or willing to use an approved form of birth control) between the ages of 18 and 70 who speak and write in English, chronic cough (> 8 wks/another article used > 6 wks) with symptom severity criteria of 2 or greater on the Fisman Cough Severity Score and 3 or greater or the Fisman Cough Frequency Score, and, failure to respond to post nasal drip therapy. Exclusion Criteria: abnormal chest x-ray, patients taking H2 blockers within the previous 3 days or PPI's within the previous 7 days, failure to respond to past PPI therapy given for cough that lasted at least 12 weeks, use of an investigational drug within the past 30 days, previous surgical antireflux or non-surgical endoscopic anti-reflux procedure (ex., Stretta or endoscopic sewing device), previous aerodigestive malignancy, current smokers, or ex-smokers (defined as those who quit smoking less than 3 months prior to study enrollment or those who have quit, but have a 20 pack year smoking history), upper respiratory infection within 8 weeks prior to study enrollment, current use of a B- blocker, ACE-I, or anticholinesterases at time of enrollment.