Prozac's New Role: Fighting Severe Infections

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A common antidepressant, fluoxetine (Prozac), may help fight deadly infections, new research suggests.

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Scientists at the Salk Institute found that fluoxetine both kills bacteria and regulates immune responses and hence, could be useful in treating sepsis, a life-threatening immune system overreaction.

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Fluoxetine helped prevent organ damage and death in mice with bacterial infections.

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Researchers discovered that fluoxetine’s infection-fighting effects are unrelated to serotonin.

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The drug increased IL-10, an anti-inflammatory molecule that protects the heart and organs.

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Prior studies found SSRI antidepressants linked to milder COVID-19 cases.

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Scientists are now testing proper dosages and whether other SSRIs have similar effects.

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If confirmed, fluoxetine could be repurposed as a treatment for sepsis and other infections.

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