Can Ivermectin be the Long-Awaited Miracle Drug Against Covid?

Even though efficient and trustworthy Covid-19 vaccines have already been introduced, preventing millions of people worldwide from catching this deadly disease, the search continues for a potent and safe medication to give to patients currently suffering from the virus.

In early December 2020, a group of physicians known as the Front Line COVID-19 Critical Care Alliance (Covid19criticalcare.com), held a wide conference where it reported on the possible advantages of using ivermectin as a frontline drug that could prevent and treat the Coronavirus disease at every stage. The FLCCC doctors maintain that people can use ivermectin – a well-known and trusted antiparasitic medication – both preventively and therapeutically thanks to its unique combination of antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties.

Upon its arrival, the suggested theory faced tons of criticism, in the first place, because the physicians behind it said they saw no use in testing ivermectin against placebo in clinical trials and needed no further data to prove its efficiency. Despite there being quite a few raised eyebrows among the global medical community, the idea that ivermectin might be the magic Covid-19 cure everyone has been hoping for remains highly appealing to the general public. Let us look closer at what kind of drug ivermectin is, how it works, and whether or not it can be helpful against SARS-CoV-2.

What is Ivermectin (Stromectol)?

Ivermectin is a safe, inexpensive, and globally available anti-parasite medication that treats certain intestinal worm infections, such as strongyloidiasis and onchocerciasis. Its off-label (non-FDA-approved) uses involve the treatment of head/body/pubic lice, scabies, larva migrans, and lymphatic filariasis. Other brands that ivermectin is available under are Stromectol, Sklice, Ivercid, Soolantra, and Mectizan.

Ivermectin works by affecting the nerves and muscles of helminths, causing their severe spasms and paralysis. Unable to move and feed, these parasites soon starve to death and get naturally evacuated from the host’s body with feces. The most expected side effects of ivermectin and its derivatives include stomach pain, fatigue, nausea and vomiting, loss of appetite, diarrhea, skin rash and itching, headache, and mild dizziness. In human medicine, ivermectin is most commonly prescribed as 3mg or 6mg oral tablets for roundworm infections and creams/lotions for inflammatory skin conditions. To familiarize yourself with the prices on these dosages and to receive additional information about the product, follow the link below: biosantepharma.com/drug/ivermectin-stromectol.

Why Do Some Doctors Believe It Can Help Against Covid-19?

The main reason to consider ivermectin as a possible promising Covid-19 drug is because of its distinctive antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties that are believed to suppress the SARS-CoV-2 virus replication. Currently, there exist two intriguing theories that seek to explain how the drug works to prevent coronavirus infection.

One way in which ivermectin might be able to fight Covid-19 is by stopping the disease from inhibiting the natural antiviral responses of our cells. The medication is likely to make our bodies more quick and agile in recognizing and fighting the virus. The other possible explanation is that ivermectin prevents the coronavirus’ spike protein from binding to the receptors in our bodies, through which the virus can enter our cells.

What Drugs Treat Covid-19?

Below is the list of drug treatments that the FDA has authorized for emergency use in patients with COVID-19. It might not cover all the most vital drugs used to curb the progression of this infection. Please, consult with your physician before you start taking any of the medicines below. Remember that self-diagnosis and self-prescription of any therapies are extremely dangerous.

Covid-19 treatments used before hospitalization:

1. Bamlanivimabis a monoclonal antibody that targets the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and prevents the virus from entering human cells.
2. Casirivimab and imdevimab are monoclonal antibodies administered together via IV infusions to block the virus’ ability to attach to and penetrate human cells.
3. Acetaminophen is a widely used OTC analgesic medication that helps relieve pain and bring down fever.

Covid-19 treatments for hospitalized patients:

1. Dexamethasone is acorticosteroid that helps patients whose immune system has gone into overreaction from the Covid-19 viral infection. The drug prevents irreparable damage to the lungs and other vital organs.
2. Tocilizumab is a type of mAb against the IL-6 receptor that helps reduce inflammation in lung cells and reduces the risk of death for patients placed on mechanical ventilation.
3. Remdesivir is a potent antiviral drug used to shorten the overall hospitalization time for Covid-19 patients and speed up recovery.
4. Baricitinib is a rheumatoid arthritis medication with distinguished anti-inflammatory and antiviral activity.
5. Heparin and enoxaparin are blood thinners used for treating Covid-19 patients who have developed or are at risk of developing blood clots.

What Does WHO Think?

Given that no measurable and extensive clinical data to conclusively support the use of ivermectin to treat COVID-19 patients is currently available, World Health Organization advises to only use this medicine within its conventional application scope – for the treatment of certain parasitic infections and infestations. WHO also encourages the global medical research community to continue to investigate ivermectin as a possible SARS-CoV-2 drug treatment in clinical trials.

To make sure patients with coronavirus have little or no access to off-label ivermectin, World Health Organization has made this recommendation part of its guidelines on COVID-19 treatments. Now, patients within the US will not obtain an ivermectin prescription unless they have a confirmed parasitic infection diagnosis.

The WHO officials hope that by putting such guidance in place, they will decrease the intensity of international attention on ivermectin and give doctors and researchers more time to study the possible therapeutic uses of this drug in the Covid-19 prevention and treatment.

Final Words

Since ivermectin has previously shown significant antiviral activity against RNA and some DNA viruses, including Zika, dengue fever, and yellow jaundice, it is safe to assume that it might also be at least somewhat helpful in treating SARS-CoV-2. However, obtaining more clinical evidence to support this theory is necessary before ivermectin can be approved for the prevention and treatment of Covid-19 patients.