Anti-Inflammatory Effect of Fluvoxamine and Rationale for Use in COVID-19

In a murine sepsis model, fluvoxamine was found to bind to the sigma-1 receptor in immune cells, resulting in reduced production of inflammatory cytokines.¹ In an in vitro study of human endothelial cells and macrophages, fluvoxamine reduced the expression of inflammatory genes.² Further studies are needed to establish whether the anti-inflammatory effects of fluvoxamine observed in nonclinical studies also occur in humans beings and are clinically relevant in the setting of COVID-19.

NIH (National institute of health). 2021. https://www.covid19treatmentguidelines.nih.gov/therapies/immunomodulators/fluvoxamine/ Date of access: 22 Oct. 2021