There have been several trials done on Ivermectin that suggests it may have some benefit to help fight COVID-19. In the same way, several trials suggest that it has no statistically significant benefit and may in fact be harmful.
The latest trial was conducted in Argentina by Julio Vallejos and colleagues. Results have been published in the BMC Infectious Diseases on 2nd July 2021. The main outcome of this trial was to ascertain if the drug reduced hospital admissions in COVID-19 patients.
It was extremely difficult to find patients for the trial as a high percentage of Argentinians had already been infected COVID-19. Out of the 501 patients in the trial, there was no significant difference in the number of patients who were hospitalised as compared to those who were not hospitalised in both the Ivermectin group and the Placebo group.
This trial supports a trial done in Columbia with very similar results, which was published in March in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
An updated review has been published by the South African health department, after a review of the latest studies and has concluded the following:
“There is currently insufficient evidence to recommend ivermectin for the treatment of Covid-19. Much of the randomised clinical trial evidence consists of trials of low methodological quality, for the most part with small sample sizes and disparate interventions and controls, limiting the confidence in any conclusions with respect to ivermectin. What evidence does exist does not suggest any clinical or virological benefits.”
At this moment all these trials are too small to reach a definitive conclusion and more time, trials and people are needed.
Sources:
Nathan Gefenn & Elsabe Brits, Bizcommunity published 07th July 2021
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