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Dextroamphetamine and Amphetamine for long COVID

DEXTROAMPHETAMINE/AMPHETAMINE

 

What is dextroamphetamine and amphetamine?

Dextroamphetamine and amphetamine is a stimulant medication that belongs to the drug class amphetamines. This medication acts on the central nervous system (CNS) by increasing levels of two chemicals, dopamine and norepinephrine, in the brain. Norepinephrine is thought to play a role in the body’s stress response and helps to regulate sleep, alertness, and blood pressure. Dopamine plays a key role in movement and affects motivation, perception of reality, and the ability to experience pleasure [1]. By increasing these levels of chemicals, it leads to an increase in focus and attention. Dextroamphetamine and amphetamine are controlled substances and do have the potential for abuse if used in a manner inconsistent with how it is prescribed.

 

How can dextroamphetamine and amphetamine be used in long-COVID?

Sufferers of long-COVID often deal with “brain fog,” a persistent cognitive defect resulting in memory problems, poor focus, and decreased ability to concentrate. Although the reasoning is still unclear, researchers think COVID-19 may linger in the brain for months afterward. Even though it does not cause an active infection, it is a foreign substance in the body. This leads to constant attack by the immune system, causing inflammation. Over time, the continuous inflammation manifests as “brain fog” symptoms [2].

Stimulants, such as dextroamphetamine and amphetamine, can improve focus, attention span, and even fatigue. A case study completed in 2022 showed benefits when using dextroamphetamine and amphetamine, along with other agents, to help reduce “brain fog” [3]. Although there have been no formal studies conducted on using dextroamphetamine and amphetamine for “brain fog,” one provider stated he has been using it, in conjunction with behavioral exercises, as a treatment option. He saw improved memory, attention, fatigue, and concentration difficulties [4].

Although current recommendations do not advocate for the use of stimulants to treat long-COVID or symptoms of long-COVID, for those suffering from “brain fog” or fatigue, it may be an attractive option to those looking for symptom management.

 

References:

1https://americanaddictioncenters.org/antidepressants-guide/ndris#

2https://www.unmc.edu/healthsecurity/transmission/2023/02/14/long-covid-now-looks-like-a-neurological-disease-helping-doctors-to-focus-treatments/

3https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10102822/

4https://www.ohsu.edu/sites/default/files/2023-02/PCR23-Mon-18-AndersonWM.pdf

 

Active Clinical Trials: Long COVID, Dextroamphetamine | Card Results | ClinicalTrials.gov

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Doxycycline for long COVID

DOXYCYCLINE

 

What is doxycycline (Vibramycin)?

Doxycycline is an antibiotic used to treat infections such as pneumonia, urinary tract infections, and sexually transmitted diseases. It works by binding to the region of bacteria that creates proteins, inhibiting new protein synthesis. The lack of proteins for the bacteria causes bacterial death.

 

What is the connection between doxycycline and COVID-19?

Historically, doxycycline has been used for bacterial infections; however, researchers have found some evidence that it may also be helpful in the case of COVID-19 viral infection. It contains anti-inflammatory and immune response-modulating properties [1]. In several case reports of patients with COVID-19, the administration of doxycycline reduced the need for ICU admission [2].

 

Currently, doxycycline research is focused on preventing long-COVID and decreasing the severity of the disease. How doxycycline fares in helping with long-COVID remains unknown. There is no evidence supporting its use for long-COVID in symptom management or treatment. Further research needs to be conducted to establish doxycycline’s role in COVID-19. However, for preventing escalation into long-COVID, doxycycline does show promise in the few case reports available.

  

 

References:

1https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8464303/

2https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2022.01.30.22269685v1

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right form makes all the difference. Go from busywork to less work with powerful forms that use conditional logic, accept payments, generate reports, and automate workflows.

right form makes all the difference. Go from busywork to less work with powerful forms that use conditional logic, accept payments, generate reports, and automate workflows.

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Duloxetine for long COVID

DULOXETINE

 

What is duloxetine (Cymbalta, Yentreve)?

Most used for anxiety and depression, duloxetine belongs to a class of medication called serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs). Serotonin is a molecule in the body that aids in mood, sexual desire, sleep, digestion, wound healing, bone health, and blood clotting [1]. It is often referred to in psychology as the “happy” chemical. Norepinephrine is thought to play a role in the body’s stress response and helps to regulate sleep, alertness, and blood pressure [2]. In conditions like depression and anxiety, the brain is dealing with an imbalance of chemicals such as serotonin and norepinephrine. SNRIs, like duloxetine, work by keeping serotonin and norepinephrine in the space where they can readily be available for bodily processes. 

 

How can duloxetine help with long-COVID?

Many people diagnosed with long-COVID suffer from “brain fog,” which includes decreased cognitive acuity, memory deficits, poor focus, reduced ability to multitask, and reduced concentration [2]. The proposed reason for this is that during a COVID-19 infection, the body’s immune response becomes activated, causing heavy amounts of inflammation. This inflammation affects the central nervous system (CNS), the brain, and the spinal cord.

 

Serotonin and norepinephrine have been shown to have an effect against this viral inflammation by blocking certain viruses (like HIV-1) into the cells. In addition, they can decrease cytokine production, promoting the immune response [3]. Since serotonin and norepinephrine possess anti-inflammatory properties and may inhibit viral activity, duloxetine could be an option for treating long-COVID. Duloxetine keeps these chemicals around longer in the body so they can perform their functions. Therefore, the longer they are active, the more immune response, and symptoms of depression have a higher chance of decreasing.

 

Aside from depression, duloxetine can also be used to treat peripheral neuropathy (numbness/tingling in the extremities). Some patients with long-COVID experience neuropathy as a side effect, and duloxetine has shown effectiveness as a treatment. In a webinar sponsored by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), duloxetine was listed as an option for small fiber neuropathy caused by long-COVID [4].

 

Further research needs to be conducted in clinical trials to assess the effectiveness of duloxetine for treating long-COVID; however, for symptom management of depression and neuropathy, duloxetine may be an option for patients. As its effects are multifold, duloxetine may hold more value over other SNRIs and help to decrease pill burden while also assisting patients in returning to their pre-COVID baselines.

 

 

References

1https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/22572-serotonin

2https://americanaddictioncenters.org/antidepressants-guide/ndris

3https://www.medtextpublications.com/open-access/long-covid-is-there-a-role-for-antidepressants-1249.pdf

4https://emergency.cdc.gov/coca/ppt/2021/012821_slide.pdf

 

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Fenofibrate for long COVID

FENOFIBRATE

 

What is fenofibrate?

Fenofibrate is part of a class of medications known as fibric acid derivates. Their primary function is to lower triglyceride levels and increase HDL cholesterol levels in patients.

 

How does fenofibrate work?

Cholesterol in the body is made up of two parts: low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL). LDL is often referred to as the “bad” cholesterol, as an abundance of this type can lead to heart attacks, stroke, and other health problems. HDL, on the other hand, is the “good” cholesterol; it works to clear other circulating cholesterol in the body to prevent buildup [1]. Fenofibrate exerts its effects on HDL and triglycerides, another type of potentially harmful fat circulating in the blood. Fenofibrate works to increase the amount of HDL and break down unwanted triglycerides so they can be removed from the body.

 

How can fenofibrate affect those with long-COVID?

Fenofibrate also possesses anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-thrombotic properties [2]. These properties may help reduce symptoms for those suffering from long-term COVID. Additionally, fenofibrate has activity against an enzyme called ACE2, the same enzyme that COVID-19 uses to enter the cells. By blocking this entryway, fenofibrate stops COVID-19, halting body access [2].

 

Although more research needs to be conducted in humans to solidify fenofibrate’s role in long-COVID, it does show promise in the lab-based studies performed [3]. One study showed that viral infectivity may be reduced by up to 70% [4].  In persons with long-COVID, the current theory is that although patients are not actively infected, they still shed the virus in their bodies [4]. Through fenofibrate’s ability to block COVID-19’s access into the cells, COVID-19 is now halted, leading to a decrease in symptoms and eventual recovery.

 

References:

1https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-cholesterol/in-depth/hdl-cholesterol/art-20046388#:~:text=High%2Ddensity%20lipoprotein%20(HDL),of%20cholesterol%20from%20your%20bloodstream

2https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00011-022-01615-w

3https://www.goodrx.com/fenofibrate/fenofibrate-covid

4https://www.jacc.org/doi/10.1016/j.jacc.2021.08.021

 

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Fluoxetine for long COVID

Fluoxetine (Prozac)

 

What is fluoxetine (Prozac)?

Most used for depression, fluoxetine belongs to a class of medication called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Serotonin is a molecule in the body that aids in mood, sexual desire, sleep, digestion, wound healing, bone health, and blood clotting [1]. It is often referred to in psychology as the “happy” chemical. In conditions like depression, the brain is dealing with an imbalance of chemicals such as serotonin. SSRIs, like fluoxetine, work by keeping serotonin in the space where it can readily be available for bodily processes. 

 

 

What is the connection between fluoxetine and long-COVID?

In those diagnosed with long-COVID, many suffer from “brain fog”; decreased cognitive acuity, memory deficits, poor focus, reduced ability to multitask, and reduced concentration [2]. The proposed reason is that during a COVID-19 infection, the body’s immune response becomes activated, causing heavy amounts of inflammation.  This inflammation affects the central nervous system (CNS), brain, and spinal cord. To combat this problem, researchers have turned to already existing medication therapies in the hopes they may be able to help decrease “brain fog” symptoms.

 

Additionally, serotonin has been shown to have an effect against viral inflammation by blocking certain viruses (like HIV-1) from entering the cells. It can decrease the production of cytokines, which promotes the immune response. A trial conducted on 60 patients showed a decrease in depression when treated with an SSR like fluoxetine [2]. It was also observed that treatment with fluoxetine decreased COVID-19 levels, specifically in men, after a minimum of 10 days [3].

 

Researchers have begun clinical trials to test fluoxetine and its effect on serotonin and COVID-19 [4]. Results will not be available for quite some time; therefore, evidence is currently limited to support the use of SSRIs for inflammation-related long-COVID. However, for symptoms of depression associated with long-COVID, fluoxetine may be a viable option [5].

 

References:

1 https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/22572-serotonin

2https://www.medtextpublications.com/open-access/long-covid-is-there-a-role-for-antidepressants-1249.pdf

3https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphar.2022.1036093/full#h7

4https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/16/health/long-covid-serotonin.html

5https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40267-022-00975-x

 

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