Title:Famotidine’s Possible Cutaneous Rash in COVID-19 Patients: An Adverse
Effect Case Series
Volume: 17
Issue: 3
Author(s): Mohammadreza Salehi , Hossein Khalili, Zahra Jahani*, Mehrnaz Rasoolinejad and Fereshte Ghiasvanad
Affiliation:
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Imam-Khomeini Hospital Complex, Tehran University of Medical Sciences,
Tehran, Iran
Keywords:
COVID-19, SARS CoV-2, famotidine, cutaneous lesions, adverse effect, rash, red spot.
Abstract:
Background: Various cutaneous manifestations have been observed in patients with
COVID-19 infection. However, the side effects on skin of the medications used for COVID-19,
such as famotidine, have not been studied.
Objective: This case series aims to present challenges in defining cutaneous manifestations of famotidine
in the context of COVID-19.
Case Presentation: We identified patients from Imam Khomeini hospital complex who were admitted
to the ward due to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), were
taking famotidine and having cutaneous rash. Clinical data were obtained through observation and
intervention.
Discussion: We found 4 SARS-CoV-2 patients with cutaneous manifestations. The mean (±SD)
age of the patients was 57±2 years, 3 patients were men, and their COVID-19 symptoms appeared
10±3 days before admission. The most common symptoms were cough and shortness of breath. All
the patients were admitted for hypoxemic respiratory failure. Patients received famotidine for gastrointestinal
prophylaxis, and all 4 patients developed Acral macular mountainous skin lesions in
the upper and lower extremities, then we discontinued famotidine and lesions were recovered completely
in all patients.
Conclusion: These cases prompted us to inform clinicians about cutaneous complications of famotidine
in COVID-19 patients.
