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A new study by a group of researchers at the University of Washington School of Medicine suggests that the antidepressant drug fluvoxamine may be effective in preventing serious illness and hospitalization in COVID-19
patients. The study findings are published in the journal JAMA.
COVID-19 it is a new disease that was first reported in December of last year. In the wake of the increase in cases and the absence of a cure, scientists have been trying to reuse existing drugs to prevent morbidity and prevent health care facilities from becoming overloaded. Favipiravir (initially designed to treat Japanese flu) and remdesivir (developed to combat Ebola) have received emergency use authorization and FDA approval, respectively, to treat COVID-19 . Several other drugs have been deemed useless or not as effective.
Steroids such as dexamethasone, anti-inflammatory aspirin, and duloxetine, an antidepressant given to patients with osteoporosis, have also been shown to be effective in treating and reducing the incidence of COVID-19 .
What is fluvoxamine?
Fluvoxamine is generally used to treat anxiety, depression, and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). It belongs to a class of drugs called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) that interact with the sigma-1 protein in the body and help reduce inflammation. Unregulated inflammation and cytokine storms are possible causes of mortality in COVID-19 patients.
Previous research has shown that this drug can reduce inflammation and sepsis in animals by blocking IL-6, a pro-inflammatory cytokine.
According to the US FDA, Fluvoxamine is available in 25g, 50g, and 100g tablets and is generally not given to children unless otherwise suggested by the doctor. This is because fluvoxamine can increase suicidal thoughts and behavior in children and adolescents, especially when taken for psychiatric disorders such as major depressive disorder.
The drug can also cross-react with various other drugs and can lead to some side effects including nausea, dyspepsia, nervousness, dry mouth, rhinitis, sweating, insomnia, and anorexia.
The study
In a randomized clinical trial, researchers included 152 COVID-19 outpatients (those trying to recover at home) with mild to moderate illness in the greater St Louis area. All patients were confirmed to have the disease between April 10 and August 5, 2020. They had an average age of 46 years and an oxygen saturation of at least 92 percent or more.
The participants were divided into two groups and received 100 g of fluvoxamine (80 patients) or a placebo (72 patients) three times a day for 15 days.
After 15 days, none of the participants in the fluvoxamine group reported clinical deterioration. On the other hand, six of the 72 patients in the placebo group showed a deterioration of symptoms.
However, the study authors indicated that more and more studies are needed to confirm these findings. Large-scale studies will begin soon and will include patients from across the country.
To learn more, read our article on Scientists are testing these drugs to treat COVID-19 .
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