Antidepressants as antiviral drugs?

Kovacs, Gabor

The aim of this survey paper is to draw attention to the antiviral effects of the antidepressants. Recent experience with CoV-2 infection and difficulties in prevention and therapy of COVID-19 point out the lack of specific antiviral drugs, leading to the use of repurposed drugs. A number of drugs, registered for various disorders for decades including antidepressants were considered in the prevention and treatment of COVID. Preclinical studies verified the antiviral effects of some antidepressants, first of all fluoxetine and fluvoxamine. These drugs inhibit the entry of viruses into the cell, arrest their intracellular pathway, and block their replication if used in the dose of usual human therapy, according to most of the studies. However, there are only a few in vivo studies available on the antiviral effects of antidepressants. According to observation of French clinicians in the course of the pandemia in COVID-19 therapy, epidemiological studies of the morbidity and mortality of patients on antidepressants, the association of SSRI use and reduced intubation and mortality confirm the results of in vitro trials in clinical practice. However, antidepressants are not yet registered for infectious diseases, their beneficial effects can be exploited in case of comorbidity or post-COVID syndrome. (Neuropsychopharmacol Hung 2021; 23(2): 240-248).