Effect of Fluvoxamine on Interleukin-6 Levels in COVID-19 Patients Hospitalized in ICU: A Randomized Clinical Trial

BACKGROUND: Reviewing the laboratory studies, we observe some drugs with other specified applications, which cause serious inhibitory immune responses in the body. Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) are among these drugs. Therefore, the current research aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of one of the SSRI drugs called fluvoxamine on the cytokine levels in COVID-19 patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The current research included 80 patients with COVID-19 hospitalized in ICU in Massih Daneshvari Hospital. They were entered into the research by an accessible method of sampling and then divided into two groups randomly. One of the groups underwent the treatment with fluvoxamine as the experimental group and the other group did not receive fluvoxamine as the control group. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and CRP levels were measured before the onset of fluvoxamine consumption and when discharging from the hospital in all members of the sample group. RESULTS: The current study showed that IL-6 levels increased, while CRP levels decreased in the experimental group significantly (P-value≤ 0.01). After consuming fluvoxamine, IL-6 and CRP levels were higher and lower in the females compared to the males, respectively. CONCLUSION: Considering the effectiveness of fluvoxamine on IL-6 and CRP in COVID-19 patients, it may ultimately come true to use this drug to improve both psychological and physical conditions simultaneously and leave the COVID-19 pandemic behind with less pathology.