Could a common heartburn drug ease COVID-19 symptoms?
NCT ID NCT04724720
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This trial investigates whether famotidine, the active ingredient in Pepcid, can help relieve COVID-19 symptoms in adults who are not sick enough to be hospitalized. Participants receive either famotidine or a placebo, along with standard care, and report their symptoms remotely. The study aims to see if famotidine speeds up recovery and reduces symptom severity.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- famotidine (Pepcid)
- What this could lead to
- If effective, famotidine could offer a widely available, low-cost option to ease COVID-19 symptoms at home.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small Phase 2 trial, so results may not be conclusive. Famotidine is not a proven COVID-19 treatment, and any benefit may be minimal or absent.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Get updates
Get notified about this study
Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for COVID-19 are added.
By submitting, you agree to our Terms of use
Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
Northwell Health
Lake Success, New York, 11042, United States
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
- Five years on: how does long COVID evolve?
- Can a targeted pill tame severe COVID-19?
- Can an organic compound tame COVID-19 in High-Risk patients?
- Could exercise retrain the heart in long COVID?
- Can a new drug shield lungs from COVID-19's worst damage?
- Can paxlovid hold the line against severe COVID-19 outside the lab?