Nisha Pandey

Common Antidepressant May Ease One Of Long COVID's Debilitating Symptoms, Landmark Trial Suggests

Common Antidepressant May Ease One Of Long COVID's Debilitating Symptoms

A common antidepressant may help millions of people living with long COVID, according to a major international clinical trial that found the medication significantly reduced persistent fatigue, one of the condition's most debilitating symptoms.

The findings, published in the Annals of Internal Medicine suggest that fluvoxamine, an selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), could become one of the first evidence-backed treatments specifically targeting long COVID-related fatigue.

Even after completely recovering from <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/fourth-covid-death-reported-in-andhra-pradesh-experts-recommend-boosters-for-high-risk-groups-article-155117381" data-type="tilCustomLink">COVID-19</a> infection, millions continue to experience long COVID, a condition that causes symptoms that last for months or even years.

Fatigue is among the most common complaints, often accompanied by brain fog, poor concentration, sleep disturbances and reduced quality of life. 

Despite the growing burden, there are currently no widely accepted drug treatments for <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/covid-spikes-in-india-experts-allay-fears-stress-vaccination-and-masks-article-155105011" data-type="tilCustomLink">long COVID fatigue</a>, making the new findings particularly significant.

Also read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/covid-19-in-india-omicron-rf-5-primarily-affects-throat-unlikely-to-trigger-pneumonia-in-healthy-people-say-experts-article-155138964" data-type="tilCustomLink">COVID-19 In India: Omicron RF.5 Primarily Affects Throat, Unlikely To Trigger Pneumonia In Healthy People, Say Experts</a>

Researchers conducted a randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial with 399 adults in Brazil who had experienced long COVID symptoms for at least 90 days after their initial infection. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either:

<ul><li>Fluvoxamine</li><li>Metformin</li><li>Placebo</li></ul>

After treatment and follow-up, patients taking <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/omicron-sub-lineages-drive-covid-surge-in-india-why-deaths-are-occurring-article-155088525" data-type="tilCustomLink">fluvoxamine</a> reported significantly lower fatigue scores compared with those receiving placebo. Improvements were observed within the first month and became more pronounced after 60 days. Participants also reported having a better quality of life.

On the other hand, Metformin did not show a meaningful benefit for long COVID fatigue in this trial. Serious adverse events were rare, and fluvoxamine was generally well tolerated.

Also read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/india-logs-339-covid-19-cases-in-first-half-of-july-what-to-know-about-the-rf-5-omicron-subvariant-article-155137595" data-type="tilCustomLink">India Logs 339 COVID-19 Cases In First Half Of July: What To Know About The RF.5 Omicron Subvariant</a>

Fluvoxamine is commonly used to treat <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/mood-swings-anxiety-brain-fog-during-menopause-expert-recommends-looking-beyond-hot-flashes-article-155133060" data-type="tilCustomLink">depression </a> and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Scientists believe its benefits in long COVID may extend beyond its antidepressant effects.

The drug is thought to reduce inflammation and influence immune signaling through activation of the sigma-1 receptor, a protein involved in regulating inflammatory responses and cellular stress. These mechanisms have also made fluvoxamine a subject of previous COVID-19 treatment research. 

Researchers caution, however, that the exact biological mechanism behind its effect on long COVID fatigue remains under investigation. 

Lead investigator Dr. Gilmar Reis of Pontifical Catholic University of Minas Gerais said the findings represent an important step toward treating one of long COVID's most persistent symptoms. "This trial gives clinicians their first strong evidence for a medication that helps reduce long COVID fatigue." 

Senior author Dr. Edward Mills, professor at McMaster University, said, "This is an important step forward for patients who have been desperate for evidence-based options." 

While researchers describe the results as encouraging, they stress that fluvoxamine should not be started without medical supervision.

Do You Need Another COVID Booster Shot? Experts Answer After 4 COVID Deaths In Andhra Pradesh

<a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/study-decodes-why-covid-survivors-continue-to-suffer-vision-problems-article-155056007" data-type="tilCustomLink">Long COVID</a> is estimated to affect tens of millions of people worldwide, with persistent fatigue preventing patients from carrying out everyday activities.

Because fluvoxamine is already widely available, inexpensive and familiar to physicians, experts say positive findings from this trial could help future research and influence treatment strategies if it fairs well in larger studies. 

Researchers describe the study as one of the strongest pieces of evidence that a medication can effectively reduce long COVID fatigue, offering hope for patients who have been struggling.

Health Conditions A-Z

health

common-antidepressant-may-ease-one-of-long-covids-debilitating-symptoms

long covid

Antidepressant

Fluvoxamine

Metformin

depression

long covid symptoms

long covid fatigue

india-vaccinates-over-52-million-girls-against-hpv-to-fight-cervical-cancer

India Vaccinates Over 5.2 Million Girls Against HPV To Fight Cervical Cancer

iit-kanpur-scientists-reveal-how-experimental-vaccine-booster-activates-immune-system

IIT Kanpur Scientists Reveal How Experimental Vaccine Booster Activates Immune System, Encourage Safer Vaccines

do-people-with-type-2-diabetes-face-a-higher-risk-of-severe-dengue-new-review-says-yes

Do People With Type 2 Diabetes Face A Higher Risk of Severe Dengue? New Review Says Yes

Health News

8 Sit-Up Variations to Strengthen Your Core and Build Stability

Benefits Of Ayurvedic Health Supplement Ashwagandha

9 Anti-Inflammatory Breakfast Options You Should Try

5 Foods You Should Avoid For PCOS, Says Gynecologist

Love Sitting With Your Legs Crossed? Here’s You Should Avoid It

6 Daily Foods That Are Secretly Increasing Your Calories

9 Brain Boosters You Should Do Everyday

Hip Exercises That Will Keep You Flexible As You Age

9 Leg Exercises Office Workers’ Should Do At Home

Benefits of Having Herbal Tea Every Morning

9 Daily Habits That Boost Your Brain Power

Lower-Body Exercises That Are Game-Changers

How Drinking Apple Cider Vinegar Helps You

Aging Myths You Should Never Believe

Superfoods That Support Your Gut Health

What Happens To Your Body When You Eat Instant Noodles Every Day?

Health Issues Premature Babies Often Face

Exercises Office Workers Should Do For Their Heart Health

Reasons Why You Should Add Raw Turmeric To Your Diet

Benefits Of Drinking Milk At Night: Why You Should Do It

Food That Provides Vitamin B12 Naturally In Your Diet

Surprising Health Benefits Of Fenugreek Seeds

9 Superfoods You Should Eat For Your Brain Health

What Does Mental Health Support Look Like At Work?

Long Stretches You Should Do To Unwind From Your Day

Colon Cancer In Young Adults: Early Symptoms You Should Know

Health Benefits Of Eating Dry Fruits Everyday

Are You At Risk For Fried Rice Syndrome?

These Tests Reveal How Well You Are Aging

Lower-Back Exercises You Should Do After A Long-Day's Work

Children’s Diet – What Kids Need To Eat For Immunity Building

Common Diabetes Myths That Could Hurt Your Health

Love Spicy Food? Here’s How It Affects Your Health

Superfood List: Veggies And Fruits You Must Have For Immunity

Foods People With IBS Should Avoid

Exercises To Improve Digestion

Easy Work Lunches You Can Make In The Morning

Hunger Vs Craving: Difference Explained In 60 seconds

These Things Can Cause Your Heart To Age Faster

High Carb Foods That Are Actually Healthy

A common antidepressant may help millions of people living with long COVID, according to a major international clinical trial that found the medication significantly reduced persistent fatigue, one of the condition's most debilitating symptoms. The findings, published in the Annals of Internal Medicine suggest that fluvoxamine, an selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), could become one of the first evidence-backed treatments specifically targeting long COVID-related fatigue. Fatigue Due To Long COVIDEven after completely recovering from COVID-19 infection, millions continue to experience long COVID, a condition that causes symptoms that last for months or even years. Fatigue is among the most common complaints, often accompanied by brain fog, poor concentration, sleep disturbances and reduced quality of life. Despite the growing burden, there are currently no widely accepted drug treatments for long COVID fatigue, making the new findings particularly significant.Also read: COVID-19 In India: Omicron RF.5 Primarily Affects Throat, Unlikely To Trigger Pneumonia In Healthy People, Say ExpertsWhat Did The Study Find?Researchers conducted a randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial with 399 adults in Brazil who had experienced long COVID symptoms for at least 90 days after their initial infection. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either: FluvoxamineMetforminPlaceboAfter treatment and follow-up, patients taking fluvoxamine reported significantly lower fatigue scores compared with those receiving placebo. Improvements were observed within the first month and became more pronounced after 60 days. Participants also reported having a better quality of life. On the other hand, Metformin did not show a meaningful benefit for long COVID fatigue in this trial. Serious adverse events were rare, and fluvoxamine was generally well tolerated.Also read: India Logs 339 COVID-19 Cases In First Half Of July: What To Know About The RF.5 Omicron SubvariantAbout FluvoxamineFluvoxamine is commonly used to treat depression  and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Scientists believe its benefits in long COVID may extend beyond its antidepressant effects. The drug is thought to reduce inflammation and influence immune signaling through activation of the sigma-1 receptor, a protein involved in regulating inflammatory responses and cellular stress. These mechanisms have also made fluvoxamine a subject of previous COVID-19 treatment research. Researchers caution, however, that the exact biological mechanism behind its effect on long COVID fatigue remains under investigation. Lead investigator Dr. Gilmar Reis of Pontifical Catholic University of Minas Gerais said the findings represent an important step toward treating one of long COVID's most persistent symptoms. "This trial gives clinicians their first strong evidence for a medication that helps reduce long COVID fatigue." Senior author Dr. Edward Mills, professor at McMaster University, said, "This is an important step forward for patients who have been desperate for evidence-based options." While researchers describe the results as encouraging, they stress that fluvoxamine should not be started without medical supervision. Long COVID Affects Millions    Long COVID is estimated to affect tens of millions of people worldwide, with persistent fatigue preventing patients from carrying out everyday activities. Because fluvoxamine is already widely available, inexpensive and familiar to physicians, experts say positive findings from this trial could help future research and influence treatment strategies if it fairs well in larger studies. Researchers describe the study as one of the strongest pieces of evidence that a medication can effectively reduce long COVID fatigue, offering hope for patients who have been struggling.

common antidepressant may ease one of long covid's debilitating symptoms, landmark trial suggests

About Us

Contact Us

Terms & Conditions

Privacy Policy

Company

Health and Me is a premium website with content written and curated to function as a handbook for all Health concerns.