Parkinson’s Medication Could Be Useful in Treating Long COVID: Study

The research indicates indicates amantadine may treat persistent symptoms due to antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and dopamine effects.

Sonis Photography/Shutterstock

For the millions suffering from the crushing fatigue and brain fog of long COVID, new hope may come from an unlikely source—a drug used mainly for Parkinson’s patients.

Amantadine, a medication that reduces involuntary movements, was recently found to significantly cut long COVID fatigue levels in just two weeks. Considering up to 6.9 percent of American adults now battle the wrath of this post-viral syndrome, the discovery of amantadine’s effects may prove a critical advance.

Two-Week Trial Cut Fatigue Scores by Over Half

While chronic fatigue is the most common symptom of long COVID, scientists still don’t fully understand why or how it persists in the body, according to the randomized, open-label clinical trial, published in Scientific Reports.