💊 Uses & Benefits

• Refractory Chronic Cough: Persistent cough unresponsive to standard treatments

• Unexplained Chronic Cough: Cough with no identifiable underlying cause

• Mechanism of Action: Selectively blocks P2X3 receptors on sensory nerve fibers in the airways, reducing cough reflex triggered by ATP release during inflammation or irritation

📋 Dosage & Administration

• Adults: 45 mg tablet orally twice daily, with or without food

• Renal Impairment: For severe impairment (eGFR <30 mL/min/1.73 m², non-dialysis), reduce to 45 mg once daily

• Elderly: No dose adjustment necessary, but use caution due to potential renal function decline

• Missed Dose: If missed, skip and take the next dose at the regular time

• Pediatric Use: Not recommended for individuals under 18 years

⚠️ Side Effects & Precautions

• Common:

  • Taste disturbances (dysgeusia, ageusia, hypogeusia)

  • Upper respiratory tract infections

  • Nausea, diarrhea, decreased appetite

  • Dizziness, dry mouth, hypersalivation

  • Epigastric pain, dyspepsia, oral hypoesthesia

• Serious:

  • Urinary stones, bladder stones, nephrolithiasis (occasionally)

• Contraindications:

  • Severe hypersensitivity to Gefapixant or any of its components

• Precautions:

  • Use with caution in patients with known hypersensitivity to sulfonamides

  • Not recommended for use in patients with obstructive sleep apnea

  • Limited data on use in hepatic impairment; exercise caution

💰 Price & Availability

• Manufacturer: Square Pharmaceuticals Ltd.

• Price: Approximately ৳35.00 per tablet; ৳350.00 per strip of 10 tablets

• Availability: Widely available in pharmacies across Bangladesh

🧪 Pharmacology

Gefapixant is a selective P2X3 receptor antagonist. P2X3 receptors are ATP-gated ion channels located on sensory nerve fibers in the airways. During inflammation or irritation, ATP is released, activating these receptors and triggering the cough reflex. By inhibiting P2X3 receptor activation, Gefapixant reduces the cough reflex, providing relief from chronic cough symptoms .