Value Proposition: Novel method for treating short- and long-term symptoms of COVID-19 using a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) and a sigma-1 receptor (S1R) agonist.
Technology Description
Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis have developed a novel method for treating COVID-19 using fluvoxamine maleate, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) and a sigma-1 receptor (S1R) agonist. Research has shown that some patients with COVID-19 experience deterioration around week two of the illness, due to an excessive inflammatory response. This may lead to severe disease, sometimes including respiratory deterioration, need for hospitalization, death, and long-term symptoms after the acute phase of COVID-19 has passed.
The use of Fluvoxamine maleate may be able to prevent or ameliorate the body’s excessive inflammatory response, preventing respiratory deterioration and other short- and long-term complications of COVID-19. Additionally, this novel method can reduce Post-Acute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC).
Stage of Research
Conducted a double-blind, randomized controlled trial of fluvoxamine versus placebo in 80 outpatients with COVID-19.
Publications
Dodds MG, Doyle EB, Reiersen AM, Brown F, Rayner CR. Fluvoxamine for the treatment of COVID-19. Lancet Glob Health. 2022 Mar;10(3).
Prasanth MI, Wannigama DL, Reiersen AM. A systematic review and meta-analysis, investigating dose and time of fluvoxamine treatment efficacy for COVID-19 clinical deterioration, death, and Long-COVID complications. Sci Rep. 2024 Jun 12;14(1).
Wannigama DL, Hurst C…Reiersen AM, Abe S, Ishikawa H; COVID-EarlyMed Trial Team. Early treatment with fluvoxamine, bromhexine, cyproheptadine, and niclosamide to prevent clinical deterioration in patients with symptomatic COVID-19: a randomized clinical trial. EClinicalMedicine. 2024 Mar 14;70:102517.
Applications
- Treatment of COVID-19
Key Advantages
- Prevents respiratory deterioration
- Inhibits short- and long-term complications of COVID-19
Patents
Patent application filed
Related Web Links – Angela Reiersen Profile
