A common antidepressant appears to help people with long COVID-related fatigue, according to a new study.
Fluvoxamine, a low-cost and popular antidepressant, significantly improved fatigue in patients with long COVID-related fatigue in just 2 to 3 months. Researchers in the Annals of Internal Medicine reported this interesting news on March 31, 2026.
This is a promising step for patients who have been desperately seeking evidence-based options to overcome fatigue and tiredness. In a recent press release, McMaster University in Ontario, Canada, mentioned the drug’s efficacy in treating long COVID fatigue. It also mentioned that Fluvoxamine showed meaningful and consistent benefits. Since the drug is widely used worldwide, everyone is clear on the potential effects after using the medication.
Fatigue is a debilitating and common symptom of long COVID. For the new study, the researchers recruited around 400 adults in Brazil who had been infected with the coronavirus and had experienced fatigue for at least 3 months. They took the antidepressant as suggested by doctors, along with other medications to treat diabetes, for at least 60 days.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the tests were intended to determine whether antidepressants such as Fluvoxamine are effective in alleviating fatigue in COVID patients. The antidepressant reduced fatigue more than a placebo, with clinical investigators finding a 99% likelihood that it outperformed the placebo. The trial gives experts strong evidence for a medication that helps manage long COVID fatigue. Patients want something they can try every day and that comes within their budget.
Despite these surprising findings, researchers suggest that further study is needed to determine who would benefit most from Fluvoxamine. Further research is needed to see how this medicine works to ease fatigue and tiredness among long COVID patients.
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Disclaimer:
This content is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before starting or changing any medication or treatment.