Frontiers in Pharmacology (Nov 2022)

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors: New hope in the fight against COVID-19

  • Mahsa Asadi Anar,
  • Elaheh Foroughi,
  • Elika Sohrabi,
  • Samira Peiravi,
  • Yasaman Tavakoli,
  • Mozhgan Kameli Khouzani,
  • Parisa Behshood,
  • Melika Shamshiri,
  • Arezoo Faridzadeh,
  • Arezoo Faridzadeh,
  • Kimia Keylani,
  • Seyedeh Faride Langari,
  • Akram Ansari,
  • Amirmohammad Khalaji,
  • Setareh Garousi,
  • Mehran Mottahedi,
  • Sara Honari,
  • Niloofar Deravi

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2022.1036093
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 13

Abstract

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The emerging COVID-19 pandemic led to a dramatic increase in global mortality and morbidity rates. As in most infections, fatal complications of coronavirus affliction are triggered by an untrammeled host inflammatory response. Cytokine storms created by high levels of interleukin and other cytokines elucidate the pathology of severe COVID-19. In this respect, repurposing drugs that are already available and might exhibit anti-inflammatory effects have received significant attention. With the in vitro and clinical investigation of several studies on the effect of antidepressants on COVID-19 prognosis, previous data suggest that selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) might be the new hope for the early treatment of severely afflicted patients. SSRIs’ low cost and availability make them potentially eligible for COVID-19 repurposing. This review summarizes current achievements and literature about the connection between SSRIs administration and COVID-19 prognosis.

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