A new international clinical trial reveals that fluvoxamine, an antidepressant widely used for depression, can significantly reduce fatigue and boost quality of life for individuals suffering from long COVID, providing one of the first evidence-based treatment options for this challenging condition.
- Fluvoxamine lowered fatigue in people with long COVID in a 60-day trial
- Quality of life improvements were also reported by participants
- The study used an innovative trial design for faster, reliable results
What happened
Researchers from Canada, Brazil, and the United States collaborated on a large clinical trial testing two existing medications—fluvoxamine and metformin—for their ability to relieve fatigue in adults with long COVID. The trial enrolled 399 participants from Brazil who had ongoing fatigue for at least 90 days following confirmed COVID-19 infection. They were randomly assigned to receive either fluvoxamine, metformin, or a placebo over a 60-day period to evaluate effects on fatigue and quality of life.
The results showed that fluvoxamine significantly reduced fatigue compared to the placebo and also improved multiple measures of quality of life. Statistical analysis indicated a 99% probability that fluvoxamine was more effective than placebo. Metformin, in contrast, did not demonstrate meaningful benefits for established long COVID fatigue despite some prior evidence suggesting preventive effects if taken early in infection.
Why it feels good
Fatigue is one of the most disabling symptoms reported by people with long COVID, often interfering with work, family, and everyday activities. Until now, few treatments had proven effective in controlled studies, leaving many feeling desperate for relief. Fluvoxamine’s ability to reduce exhaustion provides hope and validation for patients seeking evidence-based options tailored to their symptoms.
Because fluvoxamine is already widely used as an antidepressant, its safety profile and accessible cost make it a particularly promising candidate for addressing long COVID fatigue globally. The trial’s success offers a clear, actionable step forward during a time when long COVID affects an estimated 65 million people worldwide and treatment options remain scarce.
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The trial employed a Bayesian adaptive design, which allows quicker conclusions while preserving accuracy by stopping treatment arms once evidence is strong. This innovation in clinical research could accelerate future discoveries in long COVID and other complex conditions. Researchers are now focused on confirming which patients are most likely to benefit from fluvoxamine and understanding the biological reasons behind its effectiveness in fatigue relief.
While fluvoxamine is not a cure-all for long COVID, currently recommended supportive care strategies like activity pacing remain important. Continued studies and clinical trials are expected to expand treatment options, giving new hope that long COVID’s heavy toll on daily life can be eased, and that more targeted therapies will emerge soon.