Acute urticaria with Angioedema in a patient with COVID-19 pneumonia: Favipiravir side effect or a rare cutaneous manifestation

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has caused thousands of deaths since it was declared as a pandemic. Recently it continues to be one of the most followed topics in the world in terms of its course and treatment. Favipiravir is a broad-spectrum anti-viral agent that has been shown to be effective against various Coronaviruses in vitro. However, as with any drug use, side effects may develop with the use of favipravir treatment. Case Report We reported a 55-year-old female patient with acute urticarial with angioedema whom had COVID-19 pneumonia. She had no history of allergy, atopy, previous similar episodes or family history of hereditary angioedema. There is no drug or food consumption that may be suspicious in terms of allergy described by the patient other than favipravir. Conclusion(s) As far as we know, it is the first case reported from our country. Since there is no specific examination for differential diagnosis, we cannot distinguish as a rare side effect due to favipiravir treatment or COVID-19 cutaneous manifestation. As a result, studies involving more cases of COVID-19 skin findings are needed.© Copyright 2020 by Emergency Physicians Association of Turkey.