Efficacy and safety of celecoxib monotherapy for treatment of moderate depressive symptoms following COVID-19 infection: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

Celecoxib, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agent, was found to be an effective add-on treatment for unipolar and bipolar depression. We investigated the potential beneficial effect of celecoxib monotherapy on depressive symptoms after Coronavirus disease (COVID-19). This was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial investigating the therapeutic effects of celecoxib monotherapy in patients with moderate depressive symptoms following COVID-19 infection. Patients were randomized to receive either a celecoxib capsule (100 mg) twice daily or a placebo capsule twice daily for 6 weeks. Participants were assessed with the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) and the side effect checklist at baseline and weeks 3 and 6. A total of 62 patients were included. GLM repeated-measures showed a significant effect of time × treatment (F = 12.95, df = 1.98, p