Fluvoxamine capabilities in the therapy of COVID-19 and post-COVID syndrome

V.A. Petrov¹, M.L. Maximov^2–4, A.A. Zvegintseva³

¹A. Tsyb Medical Radiological Research Centre — Branch of the National Medical Research Radiological Centre, Obninsk

²Russian Medical Academy of Continuous Professional Education, Moscow

³Kazan State Medical Academy — Branch of the Russian Medical Academy of Continuous Professional Education, Kazan

⁴Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, Moscow

Amid a decrease in the COVID-19 incidence, the severity of its course and mortality, and the patient management with post-COVID syndrome remains relevant. Currently, the post-COVID symptoms include fatigue, pain (myalgia and arthralgia), reduced physical strength and endurance, performance capability, life quality, and daily activity. Common mental manifestations are anxiety disorders, depression, emotional stress, the development mechanism of which may be different: direct viral neurotropic effect, cytokine imbalance. The pharmacotherapy of post-COVID syndrome may include anti-inflammatory drugs, painkillers, psychopharmaceuticals, neurocytoprotectors, antiplatelet agents and anticoagulants, vitamins. Fluvoxamine, according to various trials, can be used not only during the early rehabilitation, providing a direct psychotropic effect but also as an antiviral drug for the treatment and prevention of severe COVID-19 course, which also has an anti-inflammatory, antiplatelet and immunomodulatory effect. The article determines the criteria that the patient must meet to start fluvoxamine therapy.

Keywords: new coronavirus infection, COVID-19, prevention, treatment, post-COVID syndrome, antidepressant, antiplatelet, anti-inflammatory effect, fluvoxamine, rehabilitation, pharmacotherapy, psychotropic effect.

For citation: Petrov V.A., Maximov M.L., Zvegintseva A.A. Fluvoxamine capabilities in the therapy of COVID-19 and post-COVID syndrome. RMJ. 2022;3:34–39.