Ivermectin: Drug that Goa recommends to all above 18 to combat Covid-19

The Goa administration on Monday cleared a new Covid-19 treatmen regime- that recommends all residents above the age of 18 to take five tablets of the ivermectin drug, in order to prevent fatal viral fever, which accompanies a Covid-19 infection. Ivermectin is an oral drug is used as a prescription medication to treat parasitic infections.

While the World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned against the general, unchecked use of Ivermectin, a study published in the American Journal of Therapeutics has said that regular use of the drug may significantly reduce the risk of contracting Covid-19.

A new study
Regular use of the oral antiparasitic drug ivermectin may significantly reduce the risk of contracting Covid-19, according to a review of available data by researchers who claim the medicine can help end the pandemic.

The research, published in the May-June issue of the American Journal of Therapeutics, is the most comprehensive review of the available data on ivermectin taken from clinical, in vitro, animal, and real-world studies, its authors said.

The authors found large, statistically significant reduction in mortality, time to recovery and viral clearance in Covid-19 patients treated with ivermectin.

To evaluate the efficacy of ivermectin in preventing Covid-19, three RCT's and five observational controlled trials including almost 2,500 patients were analysed.

All studies reported that ivermectin significantly reduces the risk of contracting Covid-19 when used regularly, the authors said.

What is this new drug?
Ivermectin is an oral drug used to treat parasitic infections. The drug has been in use since the 1980s and is mainly used in creams and lotions for head lice. Ivermectin in tablet form has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat intestinal strongyloidiasis and onchocerciasis (river blindness). It is also used to treat scabies. However, the FDA has not approved Ivermectin for Covid-19 treatment.

How does the drug fare worldwide
Many regions around the world now recognise that ivermectin is a powerful prophylaxis and treatment for Covid-19, the researchers said.

The results as seen in this latest study demonstrate that the ivermectin distribution campaigns repeatedly led to rapid population-wide decreases in morbidity and mortality.