Description
Ivermectin for Prevention and Treatment of COVID-19 Infection
Moderate-certainty evidence finds that large reductions in COVID-19 deaths are possible using ivermectin. Using ivermectin early in the clinical course may reduce numbers progressing to severe disease. The apparent safety and low cost suggest that ivermectin is likely to have a significant impact on theΒ SARS-CoV-2Β pandemic globally. [1]
Hereβs What Else You Need to Know about Ivermectin
- FDA has not approved ivermectin for use in treating or preventing COVID-19 in humans. Ivermectin tablets are approved at very specific doses for some parasitic worms, and there are topical (on the skin) formulations for head lice and skin conditions like rosacea. Ivermectin is not an anti-viral (a drugΒ for treating viruses).
- Taking large doses of this drug is dangerous and can cause serious harm.
- If you have a prescription for ivermectin for an FDA-approved use, get it from a legitimate source and take it exactly as prescribed.
- Never use medications intended for animals on yourself. Ivermectin preparations for animals are very different from those approved for humans.
Based on the current very lowβ to lowβcertainty evidence, we are uncertain about the efficacy and safety of ivermectin used to treat people with COVIDβ19 in the inpatient and outpatient settings and to prevent a SARSβCoVβ2 infection in people after having highβrisk exposure. There is also no evidence available from the study pool as to which is the best dose and regimen of ivermectin. Overall, the reliable evidence available does not support the use of ivermectin for treatment or prevention of COVIDβ19 outside of wellβdesigned randomized controlled trials (RCTs). With respect to the number of identified studies in trial registries and with accordance to the living approach of this review, we will continually update our search and include eligible trials.