Cheap Antidepressant Fluvoxamine Shows Potential In Reducing COVID-19 Hospitalization

According to a new study, another weapon against COVID-19, a widely available antidepressant, holds promise to treat the infection.
Results from a large trial published in The Lancet showed that COVID-19 patients who received fluvoxamine were significantly less likely to require hospitalization than those who didn’t.
Of the 741 participants who received fluvoxamine 100 mg twice daily in the trial in Brazil, 79 (10.6%) required an extended stay for more than six hours in an emergency setting or hospitalization, compared to 119 out of the 756 (15.7%) participants on placebo.
Fluvoxamine belongs to a class of antidepressants called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).
It is commonly used to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder and is also prescribed for depression.
In use for decades, fluvoxamine has been shown to be safe and costs about $4 for a 10-day course.
Previously, a U.S. trial of fluvoxamine (100 mg three times a day for 15 days) included a lower risk group.
No cases were found among 80 patients receiving fluvoxamine versus six cases among 72 patients receiving placebo.
A large observational study from France also showed a reduction in the use of intubation or death with the use of SSRIs among 7,230 hospitalized COVID-19 patients.
The cheap and readily available option could join other outpatient treatments like monoclonal antibodies or Merck Co & Inc’s MRK hotly-anticipated molnupiravir.
Related Link: Merck COVID-19 Oral Antiviral Cuts Risk of Hospitalization, Death By 50%

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