- Data were obtained from two telephone interviews and two written questionnaires 
- Information regarding patient demographics, comorbidities, COVID-19 test results, famotidine use, drug-related side effects, temperature readings, oxygen saturation levels and symptom scores were collected   
- Longitudinal severity scores for five symptoms (cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, headaches + ansomnia) were collected 
- Patients reported symptom scores on a scale of 1-4, where 1 corresponds to not affected and 4 corresponds to severely affected 
- Scores were obtained prior to COVID-19 illness, the day before famotidine (day -1), the day the patients started taking famotidine (day 0) and days 1,2, 7, and 14 after taking the drug


Method for conducting Famotidine retrospective cohort study

- Ten people who were diagnosed with COVID-19 and self-medicated with high doses of oral Famotidine participated in this study
- Seven patients tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 from nasal swabs, two patients had positive serological tests for COVID-19 antibodies and one had a clinical diagnosis without molecular confirmation
- Most common dose of Famotidine was 80 mg three time daily 
- Overall, the does of Famotidine ranged from 20 mg to 80 mg and was self- administered orally three times a day
- Median duration of taking the drug was 11 days, while the range was 5-21 days 
- Time period between onset of symptoms and taking Famotidine differed greatly between patients, ranging from 2 days to 26 days

Background of patients in Famotidine retrospective cohort study and Famotidine dosage 

- Seven out of the ten patients did not experience any side effects
- One patient reported grade 1 dizziness and sporadic racing heartbeat
- One patient reported grade 1 dizziness, dry skin and insomnia
- One patient experienced grade 1 gastroenterological symptoms and temporary forgetfulness
- All of these side effects are listed in the prescription information for Famotidine, except for forgetfulness
- All adverse effects were resolved upon discontinuation of Famotidine 

Patient Reported Toxicity of Famotidine 

- None of the patients were hospitalized 
- At the time of submission of this article, all patients had reported full recovery except for two patients, who experienced persistent ansomia
- Before developing COVID-19, all patients were asymptomatic
- After COVID-19 diagnosis, patients reported a wide range of symptoms 
- Within 24-48 hours of taking Famotidine, all patients reported improvement of symptoms and by day 14 the severity of symptoms had decreased greatly 
- Symptoms such as cough and shortness of breath were reported to improve much faster than systemic symptoms such as fatigue 

Patient reported outcomes and symptoms from Famotidine treatment

In a retrospective cohort study, researchers quantitatively assessed longitudinal changes in patient reported outcome measures for non-hospitalized COVID-19 patients who self-administered famotidine orally. 

- Method for conducting Famotidine retrospective cohort study
- Background of patients in Famotidine retrospective cohort study 
- Patient reported toxicity of Famotidine
- Patient reported outcomes and symptoms from Famotidine treatment



Smith College

Famotidine, a histamine-2 receptor antagonist, is a widely available, cheap over the counter drug. It is currently being investigated as a treatment for COVID-19. Computer simulations have identified a 3-chymotrypsin-like protease as a potential target for famotidine in the fight against COVID-19.  

- A retrospective cohort study of non-hospitalized COVID-19 patients taking Famotidine

Famotidine as a treatment for COVID-19 

Janowitz, T., Gablenz, E., Pattinson, D., Wang, T. C., Conigliaro, J., Tracey, K., & Tuveson, D. (2020). Famotidine use and quantitative symptom tracking for COVID-19 in non-hospitalised patients: a case series. Gut.

http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/gutjnl-2020-321852
https://gut.bmj.com/content/69/9/1592.abstract

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