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

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.

This case series aims to present challenges in defining cutaneous manifestations of famotidine in the context of COVID-19.

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.

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.

These cases prompted us to inform clinicians about cutaneous complications of famotidine in COVID-19 patients.