Tramadol for treatment of neurogenic cough: a retrospective case series

This study aimed to explore the efficacy of tramadol for neurogenic cough and describe the longitudinal treatment experience.

A retrospective case series of adults with chronic cough who were treated with tramadol for neurogenic cough. A complete response was defined as no pathologic coughing, and a partial response was defined as 50 per cent or greater reduction in severity or frequency.

Sixty-nine patients were included: 38 per cent of patients reported a complete response with an additional 33 per cent reporting a partial response. The most common successful dosing regimen was 50 mg twice a day. Age, gender and body mass index did not impact treatment response. Patients with a history of laryngeal surgery were less likely to respond (p = 0.04). Sedation (10 per cent) was the most common side effect. Fifty per cent of complete responders (n = 13) were weaned off tramadol after a mean of 39 weeks of treatment.

Tramadol may be effective and is well tolerated in patients with neurogenic cough.