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Cheap antidepressant shows promise treating early Covid-19

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Re: Cheap antidepressant shows promise treating early Covid-19

#101
post #44

From my own experience I can very much believe an SSRI could have an effect on the immune system and/or the respiratory system. I was a heavy cigarette smoker in my 20s, and over those years, I experienced worsening asthma and also worsening anxiety and depression. Eventually I was prescribed an SSRI (Zoloft), and found that not only did my mood change, my asthma completely abated, even though I was still smoking jus…

Interesting - probably spurious but has there been any research into a link between depression and asthma?

Re: Cheap antidepressant shows promise treating early Covid-19

#102
post #70

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Hydroxychloroquine seems like a weird example to bring up now, since it's been completely debunked. https://www.fda.gov/drugs/drug-safety-and-availability/fda-c...

I actually think it might be a good example because it highlights the distinction between "medicine" and "alternative medicine": approval for use. Many drugs have been approved for a use in the past, only to be superseded by better drugs or found to be dangerous or ineffective. Take for example acetaminophen (aka paracetamol/tylenol): it is borderline ineffective, has been superseded by ibuprofen for almost all use c…

>> Take for example acetaminophen (aka paracetamol/tylenol): it is borderline ineffective, has been superseded by ibuprofen for almost all use cases, and the required dosage for its tiny effect is also very close to dangerous levels.

This is only really accurate in a small window of analysis. It's been shown that paracetamol + ibuprofen has synergistic effects for most pain-related issues and paracetamol is superior to ibuprofen for migraine headaches; furthermore, the obvious correct headache drug of choice is aspirin/paracetamol/caffeine, aka Excedrin, which is vastly superior to ibuprofen.

I won't argue that paracetamol has acute liver toxicity issues (the largest drug of overdose problems, though a lot of this is intentional rather than accidental), but ibuprofen is abused in a chronic fashion with buildup over time leading to renal failure and worse (pro/amateur athletes are particularly at risk of chronic abuse issues).

I won't argue that paracetamol is way more dangerous than people think, and there should be far more warning labels (which J&J fights against), but I would be genuinely shocked if it got its approval revoked; similarly, I'd expect it to be approved if it was around today as well - especially if we knew about the synergistic effects it has with aspirin and caffeine.

Re: Cheap antidepressant shows promise treating early Covid-19

#103
post #44

From my own experience I can very much believe an SSRI could have an effect on the immune system and/or the respiratory system. I was a heavy cigarette smoker in my 20s, and over those years, I experienced worsening asthma and also worsening anxiety and depression. Eventually I was prescribed an SSRI (Zoloft), and found that not only did my mood change, my asthma completely abated, even though I was still smoking jus…

There are other known links between emotion and asthma. For example, children are more likely to develop asthma if they grow up with a parent who is depressed or high-stress.

Re: Cheap antidepressant shows promise treating early Covid-19

#104
post #44

From my own experience I can very much believe an SSRI could have an effect on the immune system and/or the respiratory system. I was a heavy cigarette smoker in my 20s, and over those years, I experienced worsening asthma and also worsening anxiety and depression. Eventually I was prescribed an SSRI (Zoloft), and found that not only did my mood change, my asthma completely abated, even though I was still smoking jus…

Interesting - probably spurious but has there been any research into a link between depression and asthma?

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4349604/

Re: Cheap antidepressant shows promise treating early Covid-19

#105
post #51
post #44

From my own experience I can very much believe an SSRI could have an effect on the immune system and/or the respiratory system. I was a heavy cigarette smoker in my 20s, and over those years, I experienced worsening asthma and also worsening anxiety and depression. Eventually I was prescribed an SSRI (Zoloft), and found that not only did my mood change, my asthma completely abated, even though I was still smoking jus…

Aren’t many SSRIs antihistaminergic?

Many antidepressants are (e.g. Mirtazapine), but not Sertraline (Zoloft).

Re: Cheap antidepressant shows promise treating early Covid-19

#106
post #37

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It would depend greatly on their age, I would posit for that those over 65, any drug that killed less than 10% of the people who took it would be acceptable. Vaccines are part of a broader political debate, the problem in politics is people are picking sides. It's very rare to run into a person who doesn't support the vaccine mandates but did get vaccinated. People are generally either anti-vax & anti-mandate, or vac…

I’ve taken the vaccine and am vehemently anti-mandate. I know others in the same position. I haven’t admitted my anti-mandate views to anyone in person who I am not close to and trust. You’re right though, people definitely pick sides. I get the feeling people could hardly comprehend someone having a “mixed” view like mine, but from my vantage point it’s quite simple: I chose to get vaccinated; I recommend it for mos…

I think you will find many of the loudest voices on these matters in the media will have quietly gone in for their top up 3rd dose recently.

Re: Cheap antidepressant shows promise treating early Covid-19

#107
post #94

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If you continue having issues, consider taking NAC. It's very commonly used to treat bronchitis and my asthmatic mother has had tremendous success with it.

FDA banned OTC NAC sales after it found out it might help with COVID [1]. Can't have that. And yeah, I know you're suggesting it for something else, but it's hard to get now. [1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7649937/

Are you serious? The FDA banned NAC? This is absurd.

Re: Cheap antidepressant shows promise treating early Covid-19

#108
post #44

From my own experience I can very much believe an SSRI could have an effect on the immune system and/or the respiratory system. I was a heavy cigarette smoker in my 20s, and over those years, I experienced worsening asthma and also worsening anxiety and depression. Eventually I was prescribed an SSRI (Zoloft), and found that not only did my mood change, my asthma completely abated, even though I was still smoking jus…

If you continue having issues, consider taking NAC. It's very commonly used to treat bronchitis and my asthmatic mother has had tremendous success with it.

NAC has many other health benefits. It helps your liver, for example. It is given for acetaminophen overdose, FWIW.
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