gefapixant citrate at a glance
Medicine class
P2X3 receptor antagonist
Licensed use
Refractory or unexplained chronic cough in adults
How to take it
Swallow tablets whole, with or without food; do not crush, break or chew them
Key side effect
Changes, reduction or loss of taste are very common
What is gefapixant citrate used for?
It is licensed in adults for:
Refractory chronic cough that persists despite treatment of contributing conditions.
Unexplained chronic cough for which no cause has been identified.
How does gefapixant citrate work?
Irritated airway cells can release ATP, activating P2X3 receptors on sensory nerves and triggering the urge to cough. Gefapixant blocks this signalling and reduces excessive activation of the cough reflex.
gefapixant citrate preparations and strengths
Tablet
Route: Oral
Strengths: 45 mg
How to take gefapixant citrate
Use exactly as prescribed. Swallow the film-coated tablet whole, with or without food.
Do not break, crush or chew the tablet.
If dizziness occurs, avoid driving or using machinery until it resolves.
gefapixant citrate side effects
Common or expected effects
- Changed, reduced or absent taste
- Nausea, diarrhoea, indigestion or upper abdominal pain
- Dry mouth, increased saliva or altered mouth sensation
- Dizziness or headache
- Reduced appetite
- Upper respiratory infection or mouth and throat pain
- Worsening cough
- Difficulty sleeping
Get urgent medical advice
- Severe allergic-reaction symptoms such as airway swelling or breathing difficulty require emergency help.
- Urinary, kidney or bladder stones are uncommon; severe pain, fever, shivering or blood in the urine needs urgent assessment.
gefapixant citrate in pregnancy
There are no human pregnancy data. UK product information advises avoiding gefapixant during pregnancy and in people who could become pregnant but are not using contraception. Discuss pregnancy or pregnancy plans with the prescriber.
gefapixant citrate while breastfeeding
Animal data show that gefapixant passes into milk, and risk to a breastfed infant cannot be excluded. The benefits of breastfeeding and treatment should be weighed when deciding whether to avoid treatment or stop breastfeeding.
gefapixant citrate interactions
Clinical studies found no clinically meaningful medicine interactions, but all medicines should still be reviewed.
Omeprazole
Did not meaningfully alter gefapixant exposure.
Pyrimethamine
Modestly increased exposure, but this was judged not clinically meaningful.
Pitavastatin
Gefapixant did not meaningfully alter pitavastatin exposure.
CYP enzyme inhibitors or inducers
A clinically meaningful interaction is considered unlikely because liver metabolism is minor.
Common questions about gefapixant citrate
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Is it used for a new or short-term cough?
No. Its licensed role is chronic cough.
Does it cure the cause of chronic cough?
It reduces hypersensitive nerve signalling that triggers coughing but does not necessarily remove an underlying cause.
Why can it change taste?
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.