Antidpressant, Fluvoxamine, Reduces Severe Covid-19 Disease, Study Finds

A new study published in Lancet Global Health found that a 10-day course of fluvoxamine (brand name Luvox), a drug commonly prescribed for depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder, significantly reduced the need for hospitalization by 66% and cut deaths by 91%  in people at high risk of severe covid-19 disease. A full treatment course with fluvoxamine costs about $10 compared to $700 for a 5-day treatment course with Merck’s antiviral pill, molnupiravir. The expert panel that develops US Covid-19 treatment guidelines has been briefed on the study data and could decide soon about recommending fluvoxamine as an early treatment.