Publication:

Comparison of safety and efficacy of dextromethorphan and levocloperastine in treatment of dry cough: a randomized open label phase IV clinical trial

Background To compare safety and efficacy of dextromethorphan and levocloperastine in treatment of dry cough.

Methods Patients fulfilling the selection criteria were randomized into two groups. Patients in group A were administered dextromethorphan cough lozenges (5 mg) thrice daily for 7 days. Patients in group B were administered syrup levocloperastine (20 mg/5 ml) 5 ml thrice daily for 7 days. Severity and frequency of cough, and Leicester Cough Questionnaire (LCQ) score were assessed at the end of day 7.

Results Levocloperastine significantly decreased (p<0.5) severity and frequency of cough compared to dextromethorphan at day 7. Levocloperastine also significantly increased LCQ score compared to dextromethorphan at day 7.

Conclusions Levocloperastine is significantly more effective compared to dextromethorphan in treatment of dry cough.