Effect of Fluvoxamine on Cytokine Level of COVID-19 Patients Hospitalized in ICU

In reviewing the laboratory studies on humans and animals, we observe that use of certain drugs with specified applications inhibit the immune reactions in the body. Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) are among these drugs. The goal of the current research is evaluating the effectiveness of one kind of SSRIs namely fluvoxamine on the cytokine level of COVID-19 patients.

The current study was approved in the ethical committee. The sample of current research included 80 patients with COVID-19, hospitalized in ICU of Massih Daneshvari Hospital. They entered the research by accessible method of sampling and were divided in to two groups randomly. The experimental group underwent the treatment with fluvoxamine, while the control group did not receive fluvoxamine. The IL-6 and CRP levels were measured both before the onset of fluvoxamine treatment and when discharged from the hospital in all members of the sample group.

The IL-6 was increased and CRP level was decreased significantly in experimental group (P= 0.01). Meanwhile in women receiving fluvoxamine, the IL-6 and CRP levels were increased and decreased, respectively as compared to men.

Considering the effectiveness of fluvoxamine on two important cytokines in COVID-19 patients it can be concluded that it is possible to use this drug to help treat COVID-19 patients, ultimately improving both mental and physical status of the patients and leaving the COVID-19 pandemic behind with less pathology.