Ivermectin to prevent COVID-19 | Medical News Bulletin
Recent reviews and data from peer-reviewed studies, expert meta-analysis and epidemiological analysis have shown promising results for ivermectin for the treatment of COVID-19. Ivermectin is an anti-parasitic drug with proven antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties. As of December 2020, ample evidence-based data has shown the effectiveness and safety of using ivermectin in the prevention and treatment of COVID-19.
A number of preclinical studies with ivermectin against SARS-CoV-2 as an antiviral and anti-inflammatory agent have successfully demonstrated its effectiveness. Various studies have shown that ivermectin, due to its antiviral properties, inhibits the replication of a number of RNA viruses such as Zika, HIV, Dengue and SARS-CoV-2. Various mechanisms have been proposed for its antiviral capabilities, such as its ability to bind to the virus' spike protein and prevent the virus from entering cells, or by preventing and inhibiting virus replication.
An overwhelming inflammatory response has been linked to severe COVID-19. A number of studies also show the anti-inflammatory properties of ivermectin. This is due to its ability to inhibit the production of cytokines and the transcription of core factor kB (NF-kB), which are potent mediators of inflammation.
Various randomized controlled trials and observer-controlled trials around the world show a significant decrease in COVID-19 transmission when participants are treated with ivermectin. One such study was carried out at Zagazig University in Egypt. Patients were treated with ivermectin the day after receiving a positive COVID-19 test and 72 hours after the test. A significant decrease in COVID-19 symptoms was observed after two weeks. Data published in the International Journal of Antimicrobial Agent compared data from countries where ivermectin was actively used and found that COVID-19 case numbers in those countries were significantly lower.
From the analyzes of eight available clinical studies, it was concluded that there was a statistically significant reduction in virus transmission when ivermectin was used as a prophylactic treatment for COVID-19.
19 other clinical studies have shown significant effects in recovery, shortening hospital stays, reducing viral loads, and reducing mortality when ivermectin was used to treat COVID-19. When it comes to side effects, most of them have been mild and temporary.
With all these findings in mind, the UK's Ivermectin Recommendation Development Panel, together with Unitaid / WHO, recently strongly recommended the use of ivermectin for the treatment and prevention of COVID-19
Reference:
Kory P., Meduri GU, Varon J., Iglesias J., Marik PE. Review of emerging evidence to demonstrate the effectiveness of ivermectin in the prophylaxis and treatment of COVID-19. Am J Ther. 2021; 28 (3): e299-e318. Published 2021 Apr 22. doi: 10.1097 / MJT.0000000000001377
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