Safety and Efficacy of Ivermectin for the Prevention and Treatment of COVID-19: A Double-Blinded Randomized Placebo-Controlled Study
Issued Date
2022-06-01
Resource Type
eISSN
20796382
Scopus ID
2-s2.0-85132276372
Journal Title
Antibiotics
Volume
11
Issue
6
Rights Holder(s)
SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
Antibiotics Vol.11 No.6 (2022)
Suggested Citation
Angkasekwinai N., Rattanaumpawan P., Chayakulkeeree M., Phoompoung P., Koomanachai P., Chantarasut S., Wangchinda W., Srinonprasert V., Thamlikitkul V. Safety and Efficacy of Ivermectin for the Prevention and Treatment of COVID-19: A Double-Blinded Randomized Placebo-Controlled Study. Antibiotics Vol.11 No.6 (2022). doi:10.3390/antibiotics11060796 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/20.500.14594/83713
Title
Safety and Efficacy of Ivermectin for the Prevention and Treatment of COVID-19: A Double-Blinded Randomized Placebo-Controlled Study
Author's Affiliation
Other Contributor(s)
Abstract
The safety and efficacy of ivermectin for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19 are still controversial topics. From August to November 2021, we conducted a double-blinded, randomized controlled trial at Siriraj Hospital, Thailand. Eligible participants were adults ≥ 18 years with suspected COVID-19 who underwent a SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR test. After enrollment, the participants were randomized to receive either ivermectin (400–600 µg/kg/d) or placebo once daily for 3 days. Among 983 participants, 536 (54.5%) with a negative RT-PCR result were enrolled in the prevention study, and 447 (45.5%) with a positive RT-PCR result were enrolled in the treatment study. In the prevention study, the incidence of COVID-19 on Day 14 was similar between the ivermectin and the placebo group (4.7% vs. 5.2%; p = 0.844; ∆ = −0.4%; 95% CI; −4.3–3.5%). In the treatment study, there was no significant difference between the ivermectin and placebo group for any Day 14 treatment outcome: proportion with oxygen desaturation (2.7% vs. 1.9%; p = 0.75), change in WHO score from baseline (1 [−5, 1] vs. 1 [−5, 1]; p = 0.50), and symptom resolution (76% vs. 82.2%; p = 0.13). The ivermectin group had a significantly higher proportion of transient blurred vision (5.6% vs. 0.6%; p < 0.001). Our study failed to demonstrate the efficacy of a 3-day once daily of ivermectin for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19. The given regimen of ivermectin should not be used for either prevention or treatment of COVID-19 in populations with a high rate of COVID-19 vaccination.