FACT BRIEF

Has ivermectin been proved effective against COVID-19?

Friday, December 11, 2020

By Peter Lagershausen

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Researchers have not yet reached a consensus about whether ivermectin, a drug approved in the U.S. to treat parasitic diseases in humans and animals, is an effective treatment for COVID-19. The FDA has not approved the drug for this purpose.

Some studies have found that ivermectin reduces the replication of the coronavirus. One study demonstrated lower mortality rates among critical patients who took ivermectin, but it hasn't yet been vetted by other scientists. Another early ivermectin study was later retracted. Researchers have called for full clinical trials to confirm these results. Studies have previously shown the drug might be effective in treating other similarly-structured viruses like yellow fever.

Several Latin American countries have distributed ivermectin widely during the pandemic, making it more difficult for researchers to recruit participants in clinical trials.

This fact brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.

Sources

Food and Drug Administration: Current stance on ivermectin for COVID-19

Science Direct: Antiviral Research—FDA-approved ivermectin inhibits replication of SARS-CoV-2 in vitro

National Library of Medicine: Diabetes Metabolic Syndrome—Overview of existing ivermectin studies

CHEST Journal: Use of ivermectin is associated with lower mortality in COVID-19 patients

Nature: High-profile coronavirus retractions raise concerns about data oversight

Nature: Ivermectin—a systematic review from antiviral effects to COVID-19 complementary regimen

Nature: Latin America’s embrace of an unproven COVID treatment is hindering drug trials

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