Coronavirus News: Pepcid being used in new coronavirus drug trial with anti-malaria drug

NEW YORK (WABC) -- There's a potential new treatment for COVID-19, and it might not be what many people expect.

Researchers at Northwell Health have been enrolling patients into their study of famotidine.

That's the active ingredient in Pepcid, an over-the-counter medication commonly used to alleviate heartburn.

Since March 13, the drug has been being delivered through an IV in megadoses nine times greater than the typical over-the-counter dose to patients in the trial.

The drug is being given in combination with the antimalarial hydroxychloroquine.



Researchers say some data on safety will be available in a few weeks.

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