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Fluvoxamine Outperforms Placebo in Long Covid Trial
20 Jul
Summary
- Antidepressant fluvoxamine significantly reduces fatigue in Long Covid patients.
- The trial found fluvoxamine 99% more effective than placebo in easing tiredness.
- Metformin, a diabetes drug, showed no improvement in Long Covid fatigue symptoms.
A widely used antidepressant, fluvoxamine, has shown significant promise in treating persistent fatigue associated with Long Covid, according to new international trial results. The study, involving 399 adults with symptoms lasting at least 90 days post-infection, compared fluvoxamine against a placebo and metformin over 60 days.
Results indicated that participants receiving fluvoxamine experienced substantially less fatigue and reported an improved quality of life. The effectiveness of fluvoxamine was noted to be 99% higher than that of the placebo group.
Fluvoxamine, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) commonly prescribed for depression and OCD, is thought to help by reducing internal inflammation and addressing biological pathways linked to Long Covid symptoms.
Metformin, a diabetes medication, was also tested but did not demonstrate any improvement in fatigue symptoms. This contrasts with earlier findings suggesting metformin might reduce the risk of developing Long Covid initially.
While these results offer hope for the over 65 million people worldwide experiencing Long Covid, further research is necessary to confirm safety. Medical supervision is advised, and patients should discuss potential treatment options with their physicians.
