The following is a summary of “Effect of famotidine on cognitive and behavioral dysfunctions induced in post-COVID-19 infection: A randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled study,” published in the September 2023 issue of the Psychosomatic Research by Momtazmanesh et al.

A 12-week, randomized, controlled trial is being conducted to examine the efficacy and safety of famotidine, a selective histamine H2 receptor antagonist, on improving cognitive impairment, melancholy, and anxiety symptoms following infection with COVID-19. Random assignment was used to assign 50 patients with a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 and a Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score of 23 or a Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) score of 22 to either the famotidine (40 mg twice daily) or placebo group. 

Changes in MMSE scores at 6 and 12 weeks were the primary outcome, while changes in other scales were secondary outcomes. Participants and evaluators had their eyes covered. At weeks 6 and 12, the MMSE scores of famotidine-treated patients were significantly higher (P = 0.014 and P<0.001, respectively). At weeks 6 and 12, the famotidine group scored considerably higher on the MoCA scale (P = 0.001 and P<0.001, respectively). Regarding the HAM-D scale (Hamilton Depression Rating Scale), the famotidine group experienced a more significant reduction at weeks 6 and 12 (P = 0.009 and P = 0.02, respectively). 

Moreover, a comparison of HAM-A scale scores at weeks 6 and 12 revealed a statistically significant reduction in the famotidine group (P = 0.04 and P = 0.02, respectively). There was no difference in the incidence of adverse events between the two groups. Researchers’ research supports the safety and efficacy of famotidine in treating COVID-19-induced cognitive impairment, depression, and anxiety.

Source: sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022399923002465