Fig. 1.

Potential role of selective serotonin (5-HT) reuptake inhibitors decreasing systemic inflammation induced by SARS-CoV-2 infection and ameliorating patient prognosis. The excessive production of inflammatory mediators may be attenuated by augmenting central and systemic 5-HT levels and also by the activation of non-serotoninergic pathways in immune cells. We believe that 5-HT reuptake inhibitors can blunt the exacerbated immune response in COVID-19 and ameliorate clinical consequences, such as the development of neuropsychiatric disorders and death.