Fluvoxamine shows promise for post-COVID fatigue
A randomized clinical trial involving 399 adults has found that fluvoxamine, a low-cost SSRI antidepressant, significantly reduces fatigue and improves quality of life in patients suffering from long COVID. The study adds to a growing body of research identifying existing medications that may help manage the lingering symptoms of COVID-19, which affect an estimated 10-20% of those infected.
Participants who received the drug reported measurable improvements on standardized fatigue scales compared to those who received a placebo. The effects were observed within weeks and persisted through the trial's duration. Researchers noted that the drug's anti-inflammatory properties, rather than its antidepressant effects, may be responsible.
Sugar substitutes linked to faster brain aging
In a separate study published this week, researchers found that adults who consumed the most artificial sweeteners showed faster declines in memory and thinking skills. The effect was strongest in participants under 60 and those with diabetes. Several popular sugar substitutes were implicated, raising questions about the long-term safety of widely consumed diet products.
The findings add to a growing list of health concerns associated with artificial sweeteners, which regulatory agencies have classified as generally safe but which researchers say deserve closer scrutiny.