Famotidine is a promising drug to treat COVID19,Dr.D.k.JHA,M.D.,
Famotidine is H2 receptor antagonist which is out of fashion now,which has been widely used to treat gastritis in children as well as in adults.
According to a case series of 10 patients of COVID19, Famotidine was self administered at home as it is a over the counter drug,means anyone can purchase it from medical store without the prescription of a doctor.
The dose used was 80 mg three times daily for a median period of 11 days.
Patients were interviewed on telephone regarding ,demography,risk factors,temperature,oxygen saturation and general well being apart from commom symptoms related to COVID 19.
According to the National institute of health protocol,longitudinal severity scores of 5 symptoms were collected-headache,cough,fatigue,shortness of breath and ansomnia.
The demography and risk factors were wide in the patients.Symptomps started to improve after 24-48 hours of initiation of therapy and the patients came to premorbid condition 14 days after treatment.
Particularly airway related symptoms like cough and shortness of breath improved faster than general symptom like fatigue
The mechanism of action of this drug Famotidine has not been established,which needs further study.
REFERENCES:Janowitz T, Gablenz E, Pattinson D, et al. Famotidine use and quantitative symptom tracking for COVID-19 in non-hospitalised patients: a case series [published online June 4, 2020]. Gut. doi:10.1136/gutjnl-2020-321852
Tags: COUGH, COVID 19, Famotidine, shortness of breath