Fluvoxamine: A Review of Its Mechanism of Action and Its Role in COVID-19

Fluvoxamine is a well-tolerated, widely available, inexpensive selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor that has been shown in a small, double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized study to prevent clinical deterioration of patients with mild coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Fluvoxamine is also an...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Frontiers in pharmacology 2021-04, Vol.12, p.652688-652688
Main Authors: Sukhatme, Vikas P, Reiersen, Angela M, Vayttaden, Sharat J, Sukhatme, Vidula V
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
acute respiratory distress syndrome
cytokine storm
inflammation
interleukins
Pharmacology
SARS-CoV-2
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Summary:Fluvoxamine is a well-tolerated, widely available, inexpensive selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor that has been shown in a small, double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized study to prevent clinical deterioration of patients with mild coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Fluvoxamine is also an agonist for the sigma-1 receptor, through which it controls inflammation. We review here a body of literature that shows important mechanisms of action of fluvoxamine and other SSRIs that could play a role in COVID-19 treatment. These effects include: reduction in platelet aggregation, decreased mast cell degranulation, interference with endolysosomal viral trafficking, regulation of inositol-requiring enzyme 1α-driven inflammation and increased melatonin levels, which collectively have a direct antiviral effect, regulate coagulopathy or mitigate cytokine storm, which are known hallmarks of severe COVID-19.
ISSN:1663-9812
1663-9812
DOI:10.3389/fphar.2021.652688