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Taking people in NetherlandsPhase 4

Tests fluvoxamine for fatigue in people with post-COVID condition

Tests fluvoxamine against placebo for fatigue in adults with post-COVID.

Key facts

Who runs it
Amsterdam UMC Stichting
Where
Amsterdam, NetherlandsSee the site
Registry title
ESPRIT study
Status
Recruiting
Phase
Phase 4
People taking part
160 people, planned
Started
6 May 2026
Expected to end
31 Dec 2026
Type of study
Interventional
Record updated
8 April 2026

Who can take part

AI summary

From the trial's eligibility criteria. Machine-read from the registry text on this page, so it can be wrong. The registry text below and the trial team decide who can take part.

The trial is looking for adults aged 18 to 70 with severe, lasting tiredness (fatigue) that began or got much worse after COVID-19. It compares fluvoxamine with placebo over 12 weeks.

Age
18 to 70 years
Sex
All sexes can join.
Disease stage
Severe fatigue (CIS fatigue score of 35 or more) at screening, which started or clearly increased after COVID-19 (as the person reports).
Earlier treatment
Cannot have started other medication meant to reduce post-covid symptoms in the last 2 months. Medicines that interact with fluvoxamine must be stoppable.
Biomarker or test result
A SARS-CoV-2 infection confirmed by the person's report: a positive PCR or rapid test (home tests count), or a COVID-19 diagnosis by a doctor.

Main reasons for not taking part

  • Hospitalized during the acute phase of COVID-19
  • Another psychiatric or physical illness that could explain the fatigue
  • Pregnancy, or unwilling to use standard contraception
  • Current or recent suicidal thoughts
  • Taking medication that interacts with fluvoxamine and cannot be stopped

The registry criteria, word for word

Show all 18 criteriaShow less

Who can take part

  • Adults aged 18 to 70 years
  • Severely fatigued (CIS fatigue score ≥ 35) at screening
  • Fatigue started/increased significantly after Covid-19 (self-declared)
  • Self-reported confirmation of having a SARS-CoV-2 infection by: • Positive SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT), such as PCR; • Positive SARS-CoV-2 rapid diagnostic test, including home-administered tests; • COVID-19 diagnosis by a medical specialist (GP or in-hospital), based on the above or other clinical test or assessments
  • Command of Dutch or English language to complete questionnaires
  • Able to participate in video calling
  • Willing and able to provide informed consent
  • Allowing the trial team to exchange medical information that is relevant for the participants’ safety and trial assessments with their general practitioner and pharmacy

Who cannot take part

  • Use of medication with interaction with fluvoxamine that cannot be discontinued
  • Hospitalized in the acute phase of Covid-19
  • Psychiatric/somatic disorders that could explain the severity of fatigue
  • Neurodegenerative disorders (i.e. M Parkinson, Multiple sclerosis, M Alzheimer)
  • Starting or started with other medication intended to reduce post-covid symptoms during the last 2 months
  • epilepsy, porphyria, history of severe liver impairment
  • Pregnancy (a positive urine or serum pregnancy test)/ unwilling to use standard contraception
  • Brugada- or Long QT interval syndrome
  • Clinical laboratory test results at the baseline visit requiring immediate medical attention (refer to Appendix 6 and 7); known allergies to fluvoxamine or placebo/excipients; known current alcohol or drug use problems; Bleeding disorders and past medical history of bleeding gastric or duodenal ulcers or other significant bleeding disorders; Additional exclusion criteria optional neuro-imaging sub-study: claustrophobia; Additional exclusion criteria optional neuro-imaging sub-study: having metal implants; Additional exclusion criteria optional neuro-imaging sub-study: inability to lay still for 45 minutes; Additional exclusion criteria optional neuro-imaging sub-study: Neurotrauma/ large stroke or brain abnormalities interfering with image analyses; Additional exclusion criteria optional neuro-imaging sub-study: Inability to come to the Amsterdam UMC
  • Suicidality (current or recent) (according to validated WHO suicide screener)

Where in Netherlands

  • Amsterdam UMC Research B.V.Amsterdam, NetherlandsTaking people

About the trial

What the trial wants to find out

To determine if fluvoxamine treatment (50 mg to 200 mg daily dosing) results in lower levels of fatigue severity than placebo after 12 weeks of treatment.

Questions to ask the study team

  1. How often do I need to come in, and for how long each time?
  2. Are travel costs paid?
  3. Can I keep my own doctor?
  4. What happens if I want to stop?

Contact the study team: see the registry record

Print a page for my doctor

Data and sources

Registry record
Listed on the EU's official list of trials (CTIS).
Official title
sElective Serotonin reuPtake inhibitoRs In posT-covid: ESPRIT
Plain-language title
Tests fluvoxamine for fatigue in people with post-COVID conditionGenerated from the registry record. The registry title is the official one.
AI summary
From the trial's eligibility criteria. Read by machine on 9 November 2026.
Record updated
8 April 2026