Research Progress on Ivermectin in the Treatment of COVID-19

Abstract

Introduction: Ivermectin is an antiparasitic that, in vitro, demonstrated antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2; however, in its application in humans, controversial positions regarding its effectiveness were presented.

Objective: To analyze the advances in research on the use of ivermectin in the treatment of COVID-19.

Methods: Scopus, Science Direct, Medline and Google Scholar databases were used to search for information with the terms "ivermectin", "therapeutics", "treatment" "COVID-19" and "SARS-CoV-2". We determined 7 (28%) articles from observational studies, 3 (12%) quasi-experimental and 15 (60%) clinical trials, prioritizing one or more of the following primary outcomes: symptom reduction, reduction of inflammatory markers and secondary outcomes: length of stay, intensive care unit admission and mortality. In the risk of bias analysis for clinical trials, only three studies were considered to be of quality.

Conclusions: The evidence on the favorable effect of ivermectin in the treatment of COVID-19, both on symptomatology, viral clearance, hospitalization time, prevention of intensive care unit admission, and mortality is insufficient and inconsistent, so it should not be prescribed by physicians or recommended by other health care professionals. Consistent clinical evidence and approval of drugs with antiviral mechanisms targeting SARS-CoV-2 should be monitored so that they can be used more objectively. It is recommended that, in the face of future events of possible respiratory disease, ivermectin should not be used for this purpose.