Reduced Fatigue Symptoms in the Post-COVID Syndrome With Amifampridine: A Collective Casuistry With Double-Blind Discontinuation Trials

TL;DR

Amifampridine reduced fatigue in post-COVID syndrome patients, helping them return to normal life, as shown in a small case study with some double-blind trials.

Contribution

Amifampridine's off-label use for post-COVID fatigue is shown to be effective in a small group of patients.

Findings

Amifampridine reduced unphysiologically increased sleep need in five patients.

Two patients showed confirmed improvement in a double-blind discontinuation trial.

Patients regained the ability to lead a normal life after treatment.

Abstract

After a severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, approximately 10-20% of patients are affected by the post-COVID syndrome (PCS). This condition leads to a variety of functional complaints, including symptoms of fatigue. To date, there is still no adequate treatment option. Five patients are presented, including the self-observation of one of the authors, in whom the administration of amifampridine as an "off-label use" led to a normalization of the unphysiologically increased need for sleep with a simultaneous increase in the Bell score. This effect was confirmed in a double-blind discontinuation trial (the medication was discontinued on a trial basis) in two of the patients. The five patients, who were previously unable to lead a normal life due to their fatigue symptoms, were able to return to everyday life after treatment with amifampridine. This offers hope to millions of affected patients.

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