Fluoxetine pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution suggest a possible role in reducing SARS-CoV-2 titers

About this activity

The selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) fluoxetine is a racemic mixture of two stereoisomers,. Considering the COVID-19 clinical symptoms affecting the lungs, fluoxetine lung concentrations would be an important factor to consider when interpreting any study results. Johnson n Objectives Course Objective Recent in vitro studies have shown fluoxetine inhibits the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pathogen, including variants B.1.1.7 and B.1.351, SARS-CoV-2 spike mutations (E484K, K417N, N501Y), and one retrospective clinical study reported fluoxetine exposure at a median dose of 20 mg in patients with the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) had a significantly lower risk of intubation and death. The aim of this study is to conduct in silico population pharmacokinetic dosing simulations to quantify the percentage of patients achieving a trough level for the effective concentration resulting in 90% inhibition (EC90) of SARS-CoV-2 as reported in Calu-3 human lung cells..