A recent study in The Lancet highlighted the potential for fluvoxamine as an antidepressant that could be used to treat COVID.
According to The Lancet this was the first large-scale randomized trial for fluvoxamine. It is used to treat severe depression and obsessive compulsive disorder. The study also reported that the drug treatment in high-risk patients with COVID-19 early diagnosis seemed to decrease the need for hospitalization.
Researchers found that patients who had received fluvoxamine experienced a 32 percent reduction in relative risk, nearly a third less, during extended hospital stays and transfer to another facility. This was compared with those who did not.
A recent study in The Lancet highlighted the potential for fluvoxamine as an antidepressant that could be used to treat COVID.
According to The Lancet this was the first large-scale randomized trial for fluvoxamine. It is used to treat severe depression and obsessive compulsive disorder. The study also reported that the drug treatment in high-risk patients with COVID-19 early diagnosis seemed to decrease the need for hospitalization.
Researchers found that patients who had received fluvoxamine experienced a 32 percent reduction in relative risk, nearly a third less, during extended hospital stays and transfer to another facility. This was compared with those who did not.
She also stated that fluvoxamine’s potential to alleviate breakthrough infections is not clear due to the high level of protection offered by vaccination. However, vaccinated people were excluded from the study.
Ward also points out that as high-risk groups were also not included in the trial that the patients studied may not be reflective of the wider population, especially for those at high risk of hospitalization/death from COVID.
Over the past two decades, the COVID pandemic is a major concern for medical professionals. New vaccines have made it possible to combat this problem. Researchers are also looking into possible COVID treatments, such as fluvoxamine, in addition to these preventative measures.
Although rest, fluids and medicine to lower fevers are sufficient for mild COVID cases. More severe cases require hospitalization and supplemental oxygen.
Antiviral medications are one example of these supportive measures. These drugs do not kill viruses but limit their ability to reproduce. The effectiveness of antivirals in treating diseases such as influenza has been demonstrated to reduce the severity of the illness and decrease complications.
COVID is caused a new virus. There is limited evidence that antivirals are available to treat it.
Arturo Casadevall is a microbiology expert and Ph.D. He also explains the current COVID treatments approved by U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). He stated that “Two drugs have a role to treat severe COVID-19 infections are the antiviral remdesivir and the corticosteroid Dexamethasone.”
What is Remdesivir?
Remdesivir was originally designed to treat Ebola. FDA approved Remdesivir in October 2020. This approval came after an emergency use in May 2020.
Despite being approved by FDA for COVID treatment, remdesivir’s effectiveness is still questionable.
In August 2021, a study that examined the effectiveness of remdesivir for COVID treatment concluded that “Based on current evidence, we are moderately sure that remdesivir probably does not have any effect on all-cause mortality at day 28 in hospitalized adult with SARS-CoV-2 infected.” The effects of remdesivir in clinical improvement or worsening are not known.
The authors reviewed clinical trials of Remdesivir published January 2021 and found some positive results for COVID patients.
The research concluded that patients who received remdesivir were more likely to recover and had higher hospital discharge rates, but there was no significant decrease in the time to clinical improvement or mortality.
Is Dexamethasone and other corticosteroids effective in treating COVID?
Dexamethasone does not have antiviral properties, but is a type of steroid known as a corticosteroid. It’s similar to an adrenal hormone and can be used by patients who cannot make enough.
It is used to treat inflammation, severe allergies, asthma, and other conditions.
The World Health Organization (WHO), states that dexamethasone’s immunosuppressant and anti-inflammatory effects were beneficial for COVID patients who are critically ill during a study in the United Kingdom.
The WHO states on its website: “Accordingly to preliminary findings shared by WHO, patients on ventilators were shown to reduce mortality by approximately one third and patients who require only oxygen by about one fifth.”
Current WHO recommendations for the treatment of severe and critical COVID infections include dexamethasone or other corticosteroids. They are not recommended for mild and moderate cases.
Although there are limited options available for COVID treatment, researchers continue to investigate other possible treatments.
The Johns Hopkins report points out that monoclonal antibodies– laboratory-engineered proteins that act like antibodies in the human immune system and fight disease –are currently being investigated as potential COVID treatments but results are varied.
Paul Auwaerter, Johns Hopkins infectious disease expert, stated that monoclonal antibodies interventions in COVID patients have not been shown to reduce mortality rates in clinical trials.
The FDA has withheld support for hydroxychloroquine, a malaria drug, in relation to COVID treatment.
After a large scientific study that showed no benefit to patients receiving hydroxychloroquine for COVID-19 treatment, the FDA has revoked FDA authorization.
It also warned that the drug should not be used in clinical trials or hospitals, as it poses serious risks, including the effects on the heart, in July 2020.
