A global clinical trial led by McMaster University and international collaborators found that fluvoxamine, a low-cost antidepressant, significantly reduces fatigue and improves quality of life in adults with long COVID.

The randomized, placebo-controlled study involving 399 participants demonstrated that fluvoxamine outperformed both metformin and a placebo in alleviating persistent fatigue, a common and debilitating symptom of long COVID.The trial, published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, used an adaptive Bayesian design to expedite results while maintaining scientific rigor.

Researchers note that while fluvoxamine shows promise for fatigue management, it is not a cure-all for long COVID, which involves multiple symptoms and biological factors.The study highlights the need for further research to identify optimal patient populations and mechanisms of action.

This finding offers clinicians their first strong evidence-based treatment option for long COVID fatigue, providing hope for millions affected globally.