COVID-19: Effectiveness of pre-exposure prophylaxis with ivermectin in exposed persons

Abstract: See discussions, stats, and author profiles for this publication at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/347890660 COVID-19: EFFICACY OF PRE-EXPOSURE PROPHYLAXIS WITH IVERMECTIN IN EXPOSED PERSONS Preprint · October 2020 CITATIONS READS 0 10,770 2 authors: Gustavo Aguirre Chang Aurora Natividad Trujillo Figueredo National University of San Marcos SIGESA 118 PUBLICATIONS 82 CITATIONS 107 PUBLICATIONS 23 CITATIONS SEE PROFILE Some of the authors of this publication are also working on these related projects: Fibromyalgia Syndrome is of Intervertebral Disc Origin View project COVID POR VARIANTES DEL SARS COV-2 View project All content following this page was uploaded by Gustavo Aguirre Chang on 03 January 2021. The user has requested enhancement of the SEE PROFILE COVID-19: EFFICACY OF PRE-EXPOSURE PROPHYLAXIS WITH IVERMECTIN IN EXPOSED PERSONS Aguirre-Chang, Gustavo and Trujillo F., Aurora. ResearchGate. October 22, 2020. SUMMARY The use of Ivermectin as massive prophylaxis has been a policy of the World Health Organization (WHO) for decades and its application in several countries allowed the eradication of the serious disease Onchocerciasis that causes the so-called “river blindness”. In merit of the great benefits obtained in these Programs, is that the creators of Ivermectin were awarded the Nobel Prize in 2015. Its massive prophylactic use has also been indicated for intestinal parasites and ectoparasites such as scabies. In March 2020, the WHO declared the COVID-19 pandemic. Having a very wide experience in the use of Ivermectin in humans, and its use being safe, even at doses above the regular ones, it is necessary in the short term to start tests to extend its use in massive programs that include the COVID-19 disease. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Participants enrolled between April 7 and July 31, 2020. 2 groups were established: Group 1: People who go to places of high risk of exposure. In this group 88 people were enrolled, and 3 subgroups were established with frequencies in the Ivermectin dose of: every 7 days, every 14 days and every 30 days Group 2: People who do not go to places of high risk of exposure. 41 people were enrolled, and 2 subgroups were established with frequencies of: every 14 days and every 30 days Hospitals, Health Centers, Markets and the like, Fairs, Land Terminals, Airports and other places with a high influx of people, in a town where there is community transmission of the infection by the SARS CoV-2 were considered as places of high risk of exposure. In all participants, the standard Ivermectin dose of 0.2 mg. per kilo of weight per day (or 0.091 mg. per pound of weight) was established. For the frequencies of every 14 and 30 days of both groups, the month that the prophylaxis began, it was indicated to take a second dose at 7 days, and then continue with the frequencies every 14 and 30 days counting from the date of the first dose. For both groups, it was indicated that they maintain all other Preventive Measures, such as the use of a mask, social distancing, frequent hand washing, among others. RESULTS: After the exclusions made, there were 129 participants who complied with the established Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrPE) regimens with Ivermectin, who were followed up until October 21, 2020. In Group 1: People who go to places of high risk of exposure. Of the 20 participants who complied with the schedule of one dose of Ivermectin every 7 days, none developed COVID19..