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Bonnet U, Juckel G. [The Impact of Antidepressants on COVID-19 and Post-Acute COVID-19 Syndrome: A Scoping-Review Update]. FORTSCHRITTE DER NEUROLOGIE-PSYCHIATRIE 2024. [PMID: 39313202 DOI: 10.1055/a-2374-2218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/25/2024]
Abstract
Introduction Preclinically, fluvoxamine and other antidepressants (AD) exerted antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties also against SARS-COV-2. Therfore, It makes sense to test the clinical effect of AD against COVID-19 and Long COVID. METHODS On May 20, 2024, this systematic scoping review in PUBMED identified 1016 articles related to AD and COVID-19, Long COVID and SARS-COV-2. These included 10 retrospective "large scale" studies (> 20000 chart reviews), 8 prospective clinical trials (plus 4 regarding Long COVID), 11 placebo-controlled randomized (RCT) (plus 2 regarding Long COVID) and 15 meta-analyses. RESULTS COVID-19: Retrospective studies with cohorts taking AD primarily for psychiatric comorbidities or chronic pain conditions directly prior to SARS-COV-2 infection described that this substance class (most studied: Selective Serotonin Re-Uptake Inhibitors (SSRI) and Selective Serotonin Noradrenaline Re-Uptake Inhibitors (SSNRI)) were associated with (i) significantly fewer SARS-COV-2 infections and (ii) a milder course of COVID-19 ("COVID-19 protection"). Ten of the 11 RCTs found regarding COVID-19 tested fluvoxamine, as this old AD appeared suitable as a prophylactic agent against severe COVID-19, taking into account its in vitro potency against the progression of intracellular sepsis cascades. Therefore, most (12 out of 15) meta-analyses also referred to fluvoxamine. They found (iii) a significant (40-70% reduction) in mortality, intubation and hospitalization rates when fluvoxamine was used as an add-on to standard therapy for mild to moderate COVID-19. When this AD was used in the early stages of the disease, it was more successful than when it was given later in advanced, severe COVID-19 (e.g. severe pneumonia, final sepsis stages). A dose dependency was observed: 2x50 mg fluvoxamine over 15 days was less effective than 2x100 or even 3x100 mg with an adverse event profile still at the placebo level. Direct comparisons with drugs approved for COVID-19 do not yet exist. A first indirect meta-analytical comparison showed an advantage of paxlovid or molnupiravir versus fluvoxamine against the development of severe COVID-19: risk reduction of 95% (I2 = N/A, but only one study) or 78% (I2=0) versus 5+-5% (I2=48). However, an add-on of fluvoxamine was still significantly more efficacious than symptom-oriented standard therapy alone. Long COVID: A common Long COVID phenotype with dominant anxiety and depression symptoms, which responds to AD, relaxation therapy and/or psychotherapy, has now been identified. Casuistics report positive effects of AD on fatigue, cognitive and autonomic dysfunctions. A first large prospective open-label RCT has just shown significantly more favourable courses, less viral load and less pro-inflammatory cytokines in the treatment of mild to moderate COVID-19 with fluvoxamine versus standard treatment, also with regard to the subsequent development of neuropsychiatric and pulmonary Long COVID or fatigue. CONCLUSION Overall, there is promising evidence of a preventive effect of AD (especially fluvoxamine) against progression to severe COVID-19 and against the development of Long COVID. It is likely, that the entire AD substance class could be effective here. This assumption is based on the results of retrospective large scale studies, but awaits verification by better controlled studies. The potential effectiveness/efficacy (currently low and moderate confidence of the evidence for the entire substance class and specifically fluvoxamine, respectively) of fluvoxamine as an add-on against COVID-19 and possibly also directly against Long COVID could stimulate similar projects in other infectious diseases that also have the potential to pose a lasting threat to the health of those affected. We consider the evidence to date to be sufficient to be able to emphasize a possible positive effect of these substances in the psychoeducation of patients with COVID-19 or Long COVID who are already receiving AD for other conditions - especially also against the symptoms associated with the viral disease or its consequences. In regions where neither vaccines nor antiviral agents currently approved for the prevention or treatment of COVID-19 are available, AD and in particular fluvoxamine would be a cost-effective alternative to protect against a severe course, even if this AD appears to have a smaller effect against COVID-19 than the currently approved antiviral agents, but with presumably better tolerability. A direct comparative clinical trial with approved antiviral agents is still pending and should be positive to further open the door for a guideline-based recommendation of fluvoxamine (or perhaps even AD) for COVID-19 or its aftermath.
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Affiliation(s)
- Udo Bonnet
- Klinik für Seelische Gesundheit, Akademisches Lehrkrankenhaus der Universität Duisburg-Essen, Evangelisches Krankenhaus Castrop-Rauxel, Castrop-Rauxel, Germany
- LVR-Universitätsklinikum Essen, Klinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Medizinische Fakultät, Universität Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Georg Juckel
- LWL-Universitätsklinikum der Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Klinik für Psychiatrie, Psychotherapie und Präventivmedizin, Bochum, Germany
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Prasanth MI, Wannigama DL, Reiersen AM, Thitilertdecha P, Prasansuklab A, Tencomnao T, Brimson S, Brimson JM. A systematic review and meta-analysis, investigating dose and time of fluvoxamine treatment efficacy for COVID-19 clinical deterioration, death, and Long-COVID complications. Sci Rep 2024; 14:13462. [PMID: 38862591 PMCID: PMC11166997 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-64260-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2024] [Accepted: 06/06/2024] [Indexed: 06/13/2024] Open
Abstract
There have been 774,075,242 cases of COVID-19 and 7,012,986 deaths worldwide as of January 2024. In the early stages of the pandemic, there was an urgent need to reduce the severity of the disease and prevent the need for hospitalization to avoid stress on healthcare systems worldwide. The repurposing of drugs to prevent clinical deterioration of COVID-19 patients was trialed in many studies using many different drugs. Fluvoxamine (an SSRI and sigma-1 receptor agonist) was initially identified to potentially provide beneficial effects in COVID-19-infected patients, preventing clinical deterioration and the need for hospitalization. Fourteen clinical studies have been carried out to date, with seven of those being randomized placebo-controlled studies. This systematic review and meta-analysis covers the literature from the outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 in late 2019 until January 2024. Search terms related to fluvoxamine, such as its trade names and chemical names, along with words related to COVID-19, such as SARS-CoV-2 and coronavirus, were used in literature databases including PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, and the ClinicalTrials.gov database from NIH, to identify the trials used in the subsequent analysis. Clinical deterioration and death data were extracted from these studies where available and used in the meta-analysis. A total of 7153 patients were studied across 14 studies (both open-label and double-blind placebo-controlled). 681 out of 3553 (19.17%) in the standard care group and 255 out of 3600 (7.08%) in the fluvoxamine-treated group experienced clinical deterioration. The estimated average log odds ratio was 1.087 (95% CI 0.200 to 1.973), which differed significantly from zero (z = 2.402, p = 0.016). The seven placebo-controlled studies resulted in a log odds ratio of 0.359 (95% CI 0.1111 to 0.5294), which differed significantly from zero (z = 3.103, p = 0.002). The results of this study identified fluvoxamine as effective in preventing clinical deterioration, and subgrouping analysis suggests that earlier treatment with a dose of 200 mg or above provides the best outcomes. We hope the outcomes of this study can help design future studies into respiratory viral infections and potentially improve clinical outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mani Iyer Prasanth
- Natural Products for Neuroprotection and Anti-Ageing (Neur-Age Natura) Research Unit, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand
- Department of Clinical Chemistry, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Dhammika Leshan Wannigama
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Infection Control, Yamagata Prefectural Central Hospital, Yamagata, Japan
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Chulalongkorn University, Thai Red Cross Society, Bangkok, Thailand
- Yamagata Prefectural University of Health Sciences, Kamiyanagi, Yamagata, 990-2212, Japan
- Pathogen Hunter's Research Collaborative Team, Department of Infectious Diseases and Infection Control, Yamagata Prefectural Central Hospital, Yamagata, Japan
| | - Angela Michelle Reiersen
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Premrutai Thitilertdecha
- Siriraj Research Group in Immunobiology and Therapeutic Sciences, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Anchalee Prasansuklab
- Natural Products for Neuroprotection and Anti-Ageing (Neur-Age Natura) Research Unit, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand
- College of Public Health Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Tewin Tencomnao
- Natural Products for Neuroprotection and Anti-Ageing (Neur-Age Natura) Research Unit, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand
- Department of Clinical Chemistry, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Sirikalaya Brimson
- Department of Clinical Microscopy, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - James Michael Brimson
- Natural Products for Neuroprotection and Anti-Ageing (Neur-Age Natura) Research Unit, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand.
- Research, Innovation and International Affairs, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, 154 Rama 1 Road, Pathumwan, Wang Mai, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand.
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5
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Zhou Q, Zhao G, Pan Y, Zhang Y, Ni Y. The efficacy and safety of fluvoxamine in patients with COVID-19: A systematic review and meta-analysis from randomized controlled trials. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0300512. [PMID: 38753761 PMCID: PMC11098472 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0300512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recently, several randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of fluvoxamine have been successfully conducted for the treatment of patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). This systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of fluvoxamine in patients with COVID-19. METHODS MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Library and clinicaltrials.gov were searched for RCTs which were performed to evaluate fluvoxamine and placebo up to January 31, 2024. Review Manager 5.3 was used to perform meta-analysis. The risk ratio (RR) and mean difference (MD) was analyzed and calculated with a random effect model. RESULTS We pooled 4,711 participants from six RCTs (2,382 in the fluvoxamine group and 2,329 in the placebo group). Compared to the placebo group, the fluvoxamine group had a significantly lower rate of clinical deterioration (RR, 0.73; P = 0.004; 95% CI, 0.59 to 0.90; I2 = 0%) and hospitalization (RR, 0.76; P = 0.04; 95% CI, 0.59 to 0.99; I2 = 0%). In the meantime, compared with the placebo group, fluvoxamine group did not show any higher risk of AEs (P = 0.13 and 0.91, respectively) in safety outcomes analysis. The subgroup analysis showed that fluvoxamine treatment performed more than 200 mg daily appears to be more effective than those performed less than 200 mg daily in reducing clinical deterioration and hospitalization risks, while not exhibiting higher AE and SAE risks than placebo group. CONCLUSION Fluvoxamine for patients with COVID-19, especially those who take 200 mg or more daily, is superior to the placebo group in reducing clinical deterioration and hospitalization, and did not show any higher risk of AEs and SAEs in safety concerns, which might be a promising intervention for COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiufeng Zhou
- Department of Neurosurgery, Suzhou Ninth People’s Hospital, Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Guozheng Zhao
- Department of Neurosurgery, Suzhou Ninth People’s Hospital, Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Yu Pan
- Department of Emergency, Suzhou Ninth People’s Hospital, Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Ying Zhang
- Department of Emergency, Suzhou Ninth People’s Hospital, Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Yuehua Ni
- Department of Emergency, Suzhou Ninth People’s Hospital, Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, China
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Wannigama DL, Hurst C, Phattharapornjaroen P, Hongsing P, Sirichumroonwit N, Chanpiwat K, Rad S.M. AH, Storer RJ, Ounjai P, Kanthawee P, Ngamwongsatit N, Kupwiwat R, Kupwiwat C, Brimson JM, Devanga Ragupathi NK, Charuluxananan S, Leelahavanichkul A, Kanjanabuch T, Higgins PG, Badavath VN, Amarasiri M, Verhasselt V, Kicic A, Chatsuwan T, Pirzada K, Jalali F, Reiersen AM, Abe S, Ishikawa H. Early treatment with fluvoxamine, bromhexine, cyproheptadine, and niclosamide to prevent clinical deterioration in patients with symptomatic COVID-19: a randomized clinical trial. EClinicalMedicine 2024; 70:102517. [PMID: 38516100 PMCID: PMC10955208 DOI: 10.1016/j.eclinm.2024.102517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2023] [Revised: 02/08/2024] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Repurposed drugs with host-directed antiviral and immunomodulatory properties have shown promise in the treatment of COVID-19, but few trials have studied combinations of these agents. The aim of this trial was to assess the effectiveness of affordable, widely available, repurposed drugs used in combination for treatment of COVID-19, which may be particularly relevant to low-resource countries. Methods We conducted an open-label, randomized, outpatient, controlled trial in Thailand from October 1, 2021, to June 21, 2022, to assess whether early treatment within 48-h of symptoms onset with combinations of fluvoxamine, bromhexine, cyproheptadine, and niclosamide, given to adults with confirmed mild SARS-CoV-2 infection, can prevent 28-day clinical deterioration compared to standard care. Participants were randomly assigned to receive treatment with fluvoxamine alone, fluvoxamine + bromhexine, fluvoxamine + cyproheptadine, niclosamide + bromhexine, or standard care. The primary outcome measured was clinical deterioration within 9, 14, or 28 days using a 6-point ordinal scale. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05087381). Findings Among 1900 recruited, a total of 995 participants completed the trial. No participants had clinical deterioration by day 9, 14, or 28 days among those treated with fluvoxamine plus bromhexine (0%), fluvoxamine plus cyproheptadine (0%), or niclosamide plus bromhexine (0%). Nine participants (5.6%) in the fluvoxamine arm had clinical deterioration by day 28, requiring low-flow oxygen. In contrast, most standard care arm participants had clinical deterioration by 9, 14, and 28 days. By day 9, 32.7% (110) of patients in the standard care arm had been hospitalized without requiring supplemental oxygen but needing ongoing medical care. By day 28, this percentage increased to 37.5% (21). Additionally, 20.8% (70) of patients in the standard care arm required low-flow oxygen by day 9, and 12.5% (16) needed non-invasive or mechanical ventilation by day 28. All treated groups significantly differed from the standard care group by days 9, 14, and 28 (p < 0.0001). Also, by day 28, the three 2-drug treatments were significantly better than the fluvoxamine arm (p < 0.0001). No deaths occurred in any study group. Compared to standard care, participants treated with the combination agents had significantly decreased viral loads as early as day 3 of treatment (p < 0.0001), decreased levels of serum cytokines interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) as early as day 5 of treatment, and interleukin-8 (IL-8) by day 7 of treatment (p < 0.0001) and lower incidence of post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC) symptoms (p < 0.0001). 23 serious adverse events occurred in the standard care arm, while only 1 serious adverse event was reported in the fluvoxamine arm, and zero serious adverse events occurred in the other arms. Interpretation Early treatment with these combinations among outpatients diagnosed with COVID-19 was associated with lower likelihood of clinical deterioration, and with significant and rapid reduction in the viral load and serum cytokines, and with lower burden of PASC symptoms. When started very soon after symptom onset, these repurposed drugs have high potential to prevent clinical deterioration and death in vaccinated and unvaccinated COVID-19 patients. Funding Ped Thai Su Phai (Thai Ducks Fighting Danger) social giver group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dhammika Leshan Wannigama
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Infection Control, Yamagata Prefectural Central Hospital, Yamagata, Japan
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Thai Red Cross Society, Bangkok, Thailand
- Center of Excellence in Antimicrobial Resistance and Stewardship, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
- School of Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia
- Biofilms and Antimicrobial Resistance Consortium of ODA Receiving Countries, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
- Pathogen Hunter's Research Collaborative Team, Department of Infectious Diseases and Infection Control, Yamagata Prefectural Central Hospital, Yamagata, Japan
- Yamagata Prefectural University of Health Sciences, Kamiyanagi, Yamagata, 990-2212, Japan
| | - Cameron Hurst
- Molly Wardaguga Research Centre, Charles Darwin University, Queensland, Australia
| | - Phatthranit Phattharapornjaroen
- Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Institute of Clinical Sciences, Department of Surgery, Sahlgrenska Academy, Gothenburg University, 40530, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Parichart Hongsing
- Mae Fah Luang University Hospital, Chiang Rai, Thailand
- School of Integrative Medicine, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai, Thailand
| | - Natchalaikorn Sirichumroonwit
- Institute of Medical Research and Technology Assessment, Department of Medical Services, Ministry of Public Health, Thailand
| | | | - Ali Hosseini Rad S.M.
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Otago, Dunedin, 9010, Otago, New Zealand
- Center of Excellence in Immunology and Immune-Mediated Diseases, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand
| | - Robin James Storer
- Office of Research Affairs, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Puey Ounjai
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Phitsanuruk Kanthawee
- Public Health Major, School of Health Science, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai, Thailand
| | - Natharin Ngamwongsatit
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand
| | - Rosalyn Kupwiwat
- Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Chaisit Kupwiwat
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Vibhavadi Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - James Michael Brimson
- Department of Innovation and International Affair, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Naveen Kumar Devanga Ragupathi
- Biofilms and Antimicrobial Resistance Consortium of ODA Receiving Countries, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
- Division of Microbial Interactions, Department of Research and Development, Bioberrys Healthcare and Research Centre, Vellore, 632009, India
| | - Somrat Charuluxananan
- Department of Anesthesiology, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Thai Red Cross Society, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Asada Leelahavanichkul
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Thai Red Cross Society, Bangkok, Thailand
- Translational Research in Inflammation and Immunology Research Unit (TRIRU), Department of Microbiology, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Talerngsak Kanjanabuch
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Center of Excellence in Kidney Metabolic Disorders, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Dialysis Policy and Practice Program (DiP3), School of Global Health, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Peritoneal Dialysis Excellence Center, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Paul G. Higgins
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Hygiene, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
- German Centre for Infection Research, Partner Site Bonn-Cologne, Cologne, Germany
- Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, 50935, Cologne, Germany
| | - Vishnu Nayak Badavath
- School of Pharmacy & Technology Management, SVKM's Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies (NMIMS), Hyderabad, 509301, India
| | - Mohan Amarasiri
- Laboratory of Environmental Hygiene, Department of Health Science, School of Allied Health Sciences, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kitasato University, Kitasato, Sagamihara-Minami, Kanagawa, 252-0373, Japan
| | - Valerie Verhasselt
- Centre of Research for Immunology and Breastfeeding (CIBF), Medical School and School of Biomedical Science, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, 6009, Australia
- Immunology and Breastfeeding Group, Neonatal and Life Course Health Program, Telethon Kids Institute, Perth, Western Australia, 6009, Australia
| | - Anthony Kicic
- Telethon Kids Institute, University of Western Australia, Nedlands, 6009, Western Australia, Australia
- Centre for Cell Therapy and Regenerative Medicine, Medical School, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, 6009, Western Australia, Australia
- Department of Respiratory and Sleep Medicine, Perth Children's Hospital, Nedlands, 6009, Western Australia, Australia
- School of Public Health, Curtin University, Bentley, 6102, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Tanittha Chatsuwan
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Thai Red Cross Society, Bangkok, Thailand
- Center of Excellence in Antimicrobial Resistance and Stewardship, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Kashif Pirzada
- Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Farid Jalali
- Department of Gastroenterology, Saddleback Medical Group, Laguna Hills, CA, United States
| | - Angela M. Reiersen
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - Shuichi Abe
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Infection Control, Yamagata Prefectural Central Hospital, Yamagata, Japan
| | - Hitoshi Ishikawa
- Yamagata Prefectural University of Health Sciences, Kamiyanagi, Yamagata, 990-2212, Japan
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Deng J, Moskalyk M, Zuo QK, Garcia C, Abbas U, Ramaraju HB, Rayner D, Park YJ, Heybati K, Zhou F, Lohit S. Evaluating fluvoxamine for the outpatient treatment of COVID-19: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Rev Med Virol 2024; 34:e2501. [PMID: 38148036 DOI: 10.1002/rmv.2501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 12/28/2023]
Abstract
This systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) aimed to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of fluvoxamine for the outpatient management of COVID-19. We conducted this review in accordance with the PRISMA 2020 guidelines. Literature searches were conducted in MEDLINE, EMBASE, International Pharmaceutical Abstracts, CINAHL, Web of Science, and CENTRAL up to 14 September 2023. Outcomes included incidence of hospitalisation, healthcare utilization (emergency room visits and/or hospitalisation), mortality, supplemental oxygen and mechanical ventilation requirements, serious adverse events (SAEs) and non-adherence. Fluvoxamine 100 mg twice a day was associated with reductions in the risk of hospitalisation (risk ratio [RR] 0.75, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.58-0.97; I 2 = 0%) and reductions in the risk of healthcare utilization (RR 0.68, 95% CI 0.53-0.86; I 2 = 0%). While no increased SAEs were observed, fluvoxamine 100 mg twice a day was associated with higher treatment non-adherence compared to placebo (RR 1.61, 95% CI 1.22-2.14; I 2 = 53%). In subgroup analyses, fluvoxamine reduced healthcare utilization in outpatients with BMI ≥30 kg/m2 , but not in those with lower BMIs. While fluvoxamine offers potential benefits in reducing healthcare utilization, its efficacy may be most pronounced in high-risk patient populations. The observed non-adherence rates highlight the need for better patient education and counselling. Future investigations should reassess trial endpoints to include outcomes relating to post-COVID sequelaes. Registration: This review was prospectively registered on PROSPERO (CRD42023463829).
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiawen Deng
- Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Myron Moskalyk
- Biostatistics Division, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Qi Kang Zuo
- UBC Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Cristian Garcia
- Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Umaima Abbas
- Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry (Windsor), Western University, Windsor, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Daniel Rayner
- Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ye-Jean Park
- Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Kiyan Heybati
- Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine (Jacksonville), Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida, USA
| | - Fangwen Zhou
- Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Simran Lohit
- Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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