Common antidepressant may ease long COVID’s crushing fatigue
A global clinical trial has found that the antidepressant fluvoxamine can help reduce fatigue and improve quality of life for patients suffering from long COVID. The study, involving nearly 400 participants, suggests this existing, inexpensive medication could be a viable treatment option.
Why it matters
Finding effective, accessible treatments for long COVID fatigue is a major public health priority given the lack of current evidence-based options.
A widely available antidepressant may provide meaningful relief for people experiencing persistent fatigue from long COVID, according to a global clinical trial co-led by McMaster University.
Researchers found that fluvoxamine (sold under the brand name Luvox), an inexpensive medication already commonly used to treat depression and other conditions, reduced fatigue and improved quality of life in adults with long COVID. The randomized, placebo-controlled trial was published in the Annals of Internal Medicine .
A Potential Treatment for Long COVID Fatigue
Fatigue is among the most frequent and disabling symptoms reported by people with long COVID. For some, the exhaustion is severe enough to interfere with employment, family responsibilities, and everyday activities. Despite the scale of the problem, there are still few treatments supported by strong clinical evidence.
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