Authors: Yeramaneni S, Doshi P, Sands K, Cooper M, Kurbegov D, Fromell G
PMID: 33058865 PMCID: PMC7550093 doi: 10.1053/j.gastro.2020.10.011
Abstract
Previous reports have found that in-hospital famotidine use in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients was associated with reduced risk of death or intubation.1 , 2 In 1 of these studies the authors proposed that famotidine inhibits the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) protease, 3-chymotrypsin-like protease, that is essential for breakdown of the immature SARS-CoV-2 protein particles that contribute to the inflammatory response seen in some COVID-19–infected individuals,1 which in turn can lead to acute respiratory distress syndrome, multiorgan dysfunction, physiologic deterioration, and death.3
In a global pandemic with a lack of US Food and Drug Administration–approved targeted therapeutic agents, identification and repurposing of well-established drugs with a proven track record of safety, affordability, and widespread availability are necessary.4 The purpose of this study was to evaluate the reported protective effect of famotidine on mortality in hospitalized COVID-19 patients.
Keywords: famotidine, COVID-19
