More COVID-19 Treatments

Angie SzumlinskiStudies

Ivermectin is a widely prescribed medication for the treatment of COVID-19 although there is some question as to the clinical efficacy of the drug. We are all acutely aware of the devastation COVID-19 has brought around the world and therapeutic approaches are needed to improve outcomes in patients with COVID-19. Several countries have included ivermectin in their treatment guidelines, leading to a surge in the demand for the medication by the general population. However, it is important to remember that clinical trials are needed to determine the effects of ivermectin on COVID-19.

In this study, daily doses were used because pharmacokinetic models have shown higher lung concentrations with daily rather than intermittent dosing. Ultimately, there was no significant effect identified for patients receiving ivermectin versus placebo. The difference in those requiring escalation of care was statistically insignificant (2% with ivermectin vs 5% with placebo).

In conclusion, the study showed that among adults with mild COVID-19, a 5-day course of ivermectin, compared with placebo, did not significantly improve the time to resolution of symptoms. Obviously, more research needs to be done and we thank our researchers for continuing the interesting but tedious work of “checking out” optional treatments. We are near the end of a life changing pandemic however we should never let our guard down, continue researching, and maybe, just maybe, we will avoid another catastrophic event in the future!

Stay well, stay informed, and stay tuned!