Fluoxetine (a.k.a. Prozac) is effective as an anti-viral, study suggests

Human enteroviruses are members of a genus containing more than 100 distinct RNA viruses responsible for various life threatening infections, such as poliomyelitis and encephalitis. While immunization has all but eliminated the poliovirus, the archetype for the genus, no antiviral drugs currently exist for the treatment of enterovirus infections, which are often severe and potentially fatal. In view of its favorable pharmacokinetics and safety profile of fluoxetine -- which is in a class of compounds typically used in the treatment of depression, anxiety disorders and some personality disorders -- the research team found that it warrants additional study as a potential antiviral agent for enterovirus infections.