Renate Coetzee

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Blog #2.5

Give a short and critical explanation of the rationale of using fluvoxamine (a selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitor (SSRI) in the treatment of Covid patients. Your answer must be properly and appropriately referenced (in-text references as well).

Fluvoxamine is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) that is approved by the FDA for the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder and is used for other conditions, including depression but not for the treatment of any infection.

In a murine sepsis model, fluvoxamine was found to bind to the sigma-1 receptor in immune cells thst reduced production of inflammatory cytokines. An in vitro study of human endothelial cells and macrophages, fluvoxamine reduced the expression of inflammatory genes. More 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.

Thus, there is insufficient evidence to recommend either for or against the use of fluvoxamine for the treatment of COVID-19. Results from adequately powered, well-designed, and well-conducted clinical trials are needed to provide more specific, evidence-based guidance on the role of fluvoxamine for the treatment of COVID-19. (NIH, 2021).

NIH (National institute of health). 2021. https://www.covid19treatmentguidelines.nih.gov/therapies/immunomodulators/fluvoxamine/ Date of access: 25 Oct. 2021