Contributor: Don Stader, MD

Educational Pearls:

Ivermectin is a Nobel-Prize winning antiparasitic used to treat filariasis and onchocerciasis
Ivermectin is receiving press due to a scientific study examining ivermectin on COVID-19 viral replication in vitro, but the dosages needed for this effect were much higher than is safe for human use
Ivermectin has since been studied in humans with no evidence suggesting it is a viable treatment for COVID-19
Ivermectin is a neurotoxin but at normal levels it does not cross the blood-brain barrier
Ivermectin toxicity can include altered mental status, seizures, coma, tachycardia, hypotension, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea
Treatment of suspected ivermectin overdose is predominately supportive

References

Caly L., Druce J.D., Catton M.G., Jans D.A., Wagstaff K.M. The FDA-approved drug ivermectin inhibits the replication of SARS-CoV-2 in vitro. Antivir Res. 2020;178:104787. doi: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2020.104787

López-Medina E, López P, Hurtado IC, et al. Effect of Ivermectin on Time to Resolution of Symptoms Among Adults With Mild COVID-19: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA. 2021;325(14):1426–1435. doi:10.1001/jama.2021.3071

Roder JD, Stair EL. An overview of ivermectin toxicosis. Vet Hum Toxicol. 1998;40(6):369-370.

Roman YM, Burela PA, Pasupuleti V, Piscoya A, Vidal JE, Hernandez AV. Ivermectin for the treatment of COVID-19: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials [published online ahead of print, 2021 Jun 28]. Clin Infect Dis. 2021;ciab591. doi:10.1093/cid/ciab591

Chandler RE. Serious Neurological Adverse Events after Ivermectin-Do They Occur beyond the Indication of Onchocerciasis?. Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2018;98(2):382-388. doi:10.4269/ajtmh.17-0042

Summarized by John Spartz, MS4 | Edited by Erik Verzemnieks, MD

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