MeMoSa: The effects of Morphine Sulphate
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Pharmacological modulation of the urge to cough: the effects of Morphine Sulphate
IRAS ID
160119
Contact name
Jaclyn Smith
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University Hospital of South Manchester NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Coughing is a reflex action which in healthy people stops food and irritating substances getting into the airways. Some people develop persistent (chronic) coughing which can last for many years, the cause of which is unknown. Most people with chronic cough have a very sensitive cough reflex and often describe throat sensations such as a ‘tickle’ before they cough. It is possible that chronic cough patients may be very sensitive to all throat sensations.
Some patients with chronic cough are successfully treated with low dose morphine, yet it is not known exactly how morphine works in these patients. In this single centre study (NIHR South Manchester CRF) we aim to compare the sensations of coughing experienced by both healthy people (n=10) and patients with chronic cough (n=30). In order to investigate this, the study will be conducted in two phases:
Phase (1): investigating the throat sensations healthy people feel when they have an urge to cough. In order to measure this we will need to induce coughing by asking healthy people to perform a cough challenge, simple breathing tests, and complete some questionnaires. Participation in this phase will require one visit to the research unit.
Phase (2): A randomised, double blind, placebo controlled, two-way crossover, single site study to assess the effect of Morphine Sulphate on sensations experienced prior to coughing, the urge to cough and objective cough counts in patients with chronic cough. In order to measure this, we will require patients to visit the research unit on nine separate occasions. We will ask patients to perform cough challenges, breathing challenges, 24hr cough monitoring, provide urine samples (for morphine clearance and a pregnancy test), complete several questionnaires and record the sensations they experience.
REC name
North West - Greater Manchester Central Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/NW/0153
Date of REC Opinion
9 Apr 2015
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion