Role of ivermectin in COVID-19: Wishful thinking or scientific optimism

Abstract

Ivermectin is routinely used for indications such as strongyloidiasis, onchocerciasis, and scabies. It is also known to possess antimicrobial, anticancer, antimitotic, anti-allergic, and antiviral properties. It has been found to inhibit SARS-COV-2 in an in-vitro study, following which, a lot of interest has been generated regarding its role in the treatment of COVID-19. However, as per extrapolation from in vitro study, the current approved dose of ivermectin may not result in sufficient concentration in the lungs to have an anti-COVID-19 effect. However, a large number of trials using different ivermectin doses are underway to generate conclusive data. If ivermectin fails to show clinical benefit in ongoing trials, additional studies to address its safety at much higher doses, additional mechanisms of its action, and different routes of administration/formulations may be required. As of now, ivermectin shows promise against SARS-CoV-2, but the dose and context of its use remains nebulous.

Keywords

• antiviral effects
• covid-19
• ivermectin
• sars-cov-2