Affordable Anti-depressant Possible COVID-19 Treatment

A new study published in Lancet Global Health has shown that a cheap antidepressant, called fluvoxamine, could be used to treat COVID-19. The drug is known to reduce inflammation, and a new study has shown it can reduce the risk of hospitalisation and mortality in COVID-19 patients. In the latest trial, fluvoxamine was shown to reduce the relative risk of hospitalisation or extended emergency care by 32% and the mortality risk by more than 90%.

The independent experts recommended stopping the trial early because the benefits of the drug were clear. Study co-author Dr Edward Mills of the McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, said, “if WHO recommends this, you will see it widely taken up… We hope it will lead to a lot of lives saved.” The cost of one course of fluvoxamine would only cost $4, compared with $2000 for intravenous antibody treatments and $700 for Merck’s antiviral pill.