An antidepressant for COVID that is both cheap and effective?!?
As unlikely as that sounds, there is some evidence gathering in its favor.
A large, randomized controlled trial (part of the TOGETHER Trial) was published in the Lancet that showed that individuals with COVID-19 who had at least 1 underlying high-risk condition and took fluvoxamine (Luvox) were significantly less likely to end up hospitalized or be retained in an ER.
What is Fluvoxamine?
It is a generic selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) used for depression or OCD. It was first approved by the FDA in 1994 as a treatment for depression, during an era when the “chemical imbalance” and “low Serotonin” theories for depression were the most prevalent. If you’ve followed depression research since then, you’ll know it’s evolved beyond those theories. If you’ve followed my podcast or blog, you’ll know that I’ve mostly written about SSRIs in the context of withdrawal symptoms and how they last more than “two weeks” as well as effectiveness related to using SSRIs to treat depression in the long-term. You also might know I had a terrible experience on SSRIs when I was prescribed them during medical school. So… this antidepressant for COVID bit is new territory for me. ;)
Who Was in the Trial?
The trial was conducted in Brazil. Participants included COVID-positive individuals who had at least 1 underlying risk factor that put them at higher risk for severe COVID disease. Those risk factors included: diabetes, high blood pressure requiring 1 medication, heart disease, coronary artery disease, cardiomyopathies being treated, symptomatic lung disease, symptomatic asthma requiring chronic use of agents to control symptoms, smoking, obesity, having a transplant, stage 4 kidney disease, immunosuppression, a history of cancer and being unvaccinated.
Who Took What and for How Long?
All patients received usual care for COVID-19. 1 group of participants received fluvoxamine, 100 mg twice daily for 10 days, and another group received a placebo.
What Was the Primary Outcome?
The primary outcome of the study was hospitalization within 28 days of randomization or remaining in an ER setting under observation for more than 6 hours.