Scientists test drug that helps treat coronavirus

Researchers have studied treatment options for non-hospitalized patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) to reduce morbidity, mortality, and spread of the disease.

They assessed longitudinal changes in non-hospitalized patients with COVID-19 who self-administered high-dose famotidine orallyç according to the study published in Gut.

Based on a National Institute of Health (NIH)-endorsed Protocol to research Patient Experience of COVID-19, the scientists collected longitudinal severity scores of five symptoms (cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, headaches, and anosmia) and general unwellness on a four-point ordinal scale modeled on performance status scoring. They reported all data at the patient level and statistically compared longitudinal combined normalized symptom scores.

The study identified ten consecutive patients with COVID-19 who self-administered high-dose oral famotidine. The most frequently used famotidine regimen was 80 mg three times daily for a median of 11 days (range: 5–21 days). All patients reported marked improvements in disease-related symptoms after starting famotidine. The combined symptom score improved significantly within 24 hours of beginning famotidine, and peripheral oxygen saturation and device recorded activity increased.

The results suggest that high-dose oral famotidine is well tolerated and associated with improved patient-reported outcomes in non-hospitalized patients with COVID-19.