The antidepressant medication fluvoxamin, marketed in Sweden as Fevarin, has shown effectiveness in reducing severe fatigue in patients suffering from long COVID, according to a new study reported by Dagens Medicin. The research followed 399 adult patients experiencing severe fatigue that could not be relieved by rest. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either fluvoxamin, the type 2 diabetes medication metformin, or a placebo.
According to the study, fluvoxamin demonstrated a measurable effect in alleviating fatigue symptoms. Judith Bruchfeld, a senior physician in infectious medicine at Karolinska University Hospital who researches long COVID, commented on the findings, stating: "This is interesting data from a well-conducted study. " The medication, while available in Sweden under the brand name Fevarin, is not currently subsidized by the national healthcare system.
This is interesting data from a well-conducted study. Fluvoxamin is a well-known medication with relatively few side effects and something that can be tested clinically on selected patients.