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Current Drug Safety

Author(s): Mohammadreza Salehi , Hossein Khalili, Zahra Jahani*, Mehrnaz Rasoolinejad and Fereshte Ghiasvanad

DOI: 10.2174/1574886316666211005102711

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Famotidine’s Possible Cutaneous Rash in COVID-19 Patients: An Adverse Effect Case Series

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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.

Keywords: COVID-19, SARS CoV-2, famotidine, cutaneous lesions, adverse effect, rash, red spot.

Graphical Abstract

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