From the Guidelines
Ivermectin is not a proven treatment for COVID-19, and its use is not recommended by major health organizations due to insufficient evidence and potential harm. The claims listed about ivermectin's benefits are largely exaggerated and not supported by scientific evidence. While ivermectin did win the Nobel Prize in 2015 for its effectiveness against parasitic diseases, its benefits have been greatly overstated in the context of COVID-19 and other conditions.
Efficacy of Ivermectin in COVID-19 Treatment
According to the Infectious Diseases Society of America guidelines on the treatment and management of patients with COVID-19 1, ivermectin has not been proven to effectively treat COVID-19. The guidelines state that there is insufficient evidence to support the use of ivermectin for this purpose, and major health organizations do not recommend it.
Potential Harms of Ivermectin
In addition to the lack of evidence supporting its efficacy, ivermectin can also cause adverse reactions, including dizziness, nausea, diarrhea, and in high doses, more serious effects 1. The potential for serious adverse events in hospitalized patients and ambulatory persons with COVID-19 treated with ivermectin rather than no ivermectin cannot be excluded.
Recommendations for Ivermectin Use
The American College of Physicians recommends against the use of ivermectin to treat patients with confirmed mild to moderate COVID-19 in the outpatient setting 1. Instead, other treatments such as molnupiravir and nirmatrelvir–ritonavir combination therapy are recommended for patients at high risk for progressing to severe disease.
Conclusion on Ivermectin's Proven Medical Uses
While ivermectin is an effective anti-parasitic medication for specific conditions, the extensive list of benefits described represents significant overstatements and misinformation about its proven medical uses. Anyone considering ivermectin should consult with a healthcare provider rather than self-medicating based on unproven claims. The use of ivermectin should be guided by the best available evidence and recommendations from reputable health organizations.
From the FDA Drug Label
The FDA drug label does not answer the question.
From the Research
Ivermectin's Effects and Uses
- Ivermectin has been found to have anti-parasitic, anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, and anticancer effects 2.
- It has been used to treat parasitic infections, such as scabies and malaria, and has been evaluated for treating infections caused by viruses, such as SARS-CoV-2 and adenoviruses 2, 3.
- Ivermectin has been found to reduce the risk of death compared with no ivermectin in patients with COVID-19, with moderate-certainty evidence 4.
- It has also been found to reduce the duration of illness in patients with COVID-19, with a 5-day course of ivermectin being safe and effective in treating adult patients with mild COVID-19 5.
Ivermectin's Mechanism of Action
- Ivermectin's traditional mechanism of action in parasitic diseases rests on its ability to interfere with the glutamate-gated chloride channels in invertebrates and the lack of P-glycoprotein in many parasites 2.
- It has also been found to block the nuclear factor kappa-light-chain enhancer of the activated B (NF-κB) pathway, which modulates the expression and production of proinflammatory cytokines, making it an anti-inflammatory agent 2.
- Ivermectin has been found to inhibit the proliferation of tumorigenic cells through various pathways, making it a potential candidate for the treatment of certain cancers 2.
Ivermectin's Potential Uses Beyond Anti-Parasitic Therapy
- Ivermectin has been found to have potential uses in the treatment of inflammatory conditions, viral infections, and cancers 2.
- It has been evaluated for its potential use in the treatment of COVID-19, with some studies suggesting that it may reduce the risk of death and the duration of illness in patients with the disease 4, 5.
- Ivermectin has also been found to have antiviral effects against a range of viruses, including RNA viruses such as Zika, dengue, and SARS-CoV-2, and DNA viruses such as Equine herpes type 1 and BK polyomavirus 3.
Ivermectin's Safety and Efficacy
- Ivermectin has been found to be safe and effective in treating adult patients with mild COVID-19, with no severe adverse drug events recorded in one study 5.
- However, the evidence for its use in the treatment of COVID-19 is still limited, and larger trials are needed to confirm its efficacy and safety 4, 5.
- Ivermectin has been used for many years to treat parasitic infections, and its safety and efficacy in this context are well established 6.