Ivermectin as a Potential Addition to the Limited Anti-COVID-19 Arsenal: A Double-Blinded Clinical Trial
Mehran Varnaseri, Fatemeh Amini, Ramin Jamshididan, Mehrdad Dargahi, Nematollah Gheibi, Sara Abolghasemi, Mohammadreza Dayer, Negar Varnasseri, Khojasteh Hoseinynejad, Sahar Kheradhoosh, Pedram Nazari, Ebrahim Babadi, Seyedeh Maryam Mousavinezhad, Pouya Ebrahimi
Jundishapur Journal of Health Sciences, doi:10.5812/jjhs-146703
Background: Addressing the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic remains a significant challenge for healthcare systems globally. Despite the absence of a proven cure, ivermectin has been proposed as a potentially effective agent against it. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic effects of ivermectin compared to a placebo group in non-critically ill confirmed COVID-19 patients. Methods: A double-blind, randomized clinical trial was conducted on 110 patients with moderate-to-severe (non-critical) confirmed COVID-19 infection. The patients were equally divided into two groups, with one group receiving ivermectin tablets (14 mg every 12 hours for three days) and the other group receiving a placebo. The efficacy and safety of ivermectin were assessed in both groups. Results: A total of 110 patients, including 62 (56.4%) men and 48 (43.6%) women, with an average age of 53.36 ± 15.10 years, were enrolled in our double-blind, randomized clinical trial. The baseline characteristics of the two groups were similar. The findings demonstrated that ivermectin significantly reduced the need for Intensive Care Unit admission (32.7% vs. 5.5%; P < 0.001), hospitalization duration (six vs. four days; P < 0.001), and median time to symptom resolution period (P < 0.05) in COVID-19 patients compared to the placebo group, without any serious side effects (P > 0.05). Conclusions: Ivermectin appears to be a potentially effective and safe medication for COVID-19 patients with moderate disease.
Authors' Contribution: Study concept and design: M.V., M.D., P.N., K.H., F.A., R.J.; acquisition of data: N.G., S.A., M.D.; analysis and interpretation of data: N.V., K.H., S.K.; drafting of the manuscript: P.N., E.B., S.M., P.E.; critical revision of the manuscript for important intellectual content: M.V., M.D.; statistical analysis: S.A., M.D.; administrative, technical, and material support: M.V., M.D., P.N., K.H., F.A., R.J.; study supervision: N.G., S.A., M.D.
Clinical
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'abstract': '<jats:p>Background: Addressing the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic remains a '
'significant challenge for healthcare systems globally. Despite the absence of a proven cure, '
'ivermectin has been proposed as a potentially effective agent against it. Objectives: This '
'study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic effects of ivermectin compared to a placebo group in '
'non-critically ill confirmed COVID-19 patients. Methods: A double-blind, randomized clinical '
'trial was conducted on 110 patients with moderate-to-severe (non-critical) confirmed COVID-19 '
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'ivermectin tablets (14 mg every 12 hours for three days) and the other group receiving a '
'placebo. The efficacy and safety of ivermectin were assessed in both groups. Results: A total '
'of 110 patients, including 62 (56.4%) men and 48 (43.6%) women, with an average age of 53.36 '
'± 15.10 years, were enrolled in our double-blind, randomized clinical trial. The baseline '
'characteristics of the two groups were similar. The findings demonstrated that ivermectin '
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'symptom resolution period (P < 0.05) in COVID-19 patients compared to the placebo group, '
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'potentially effective and safe medication for COVID-19 patients with moderate '
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