A cheap and safe drug widely used against parasites cuts Covid infections, hospitalisations and deaths by about 75 per cent, a study shows.
More than 30 trials across the world found that ivermectin causes ‘repeated, consistent, large magnitude improvements in clinical outcomes’ at all stages of the disease.
The peer-reviewed study, to be published in the US journal Frontiers of Pharmacology, says the evidence is so strong that the drug – used to treat head lice and scabies – should become a standard therapy everywhere, so hastening the global recovery.
Study co-author Professor Paul Marik, director of emergency and pulmonary care at the Eastern Virginia Medical School in the US, said: ‘The data is overwhelming – we are in a pandemic, and this is an incredibly effective way to combat it. If we use ivermectin widely, our societies can open up.’
More than 30 trials across the world found that ivermectin causes ‘repeated, consistent, large magnitude improvements in clinical outcomes’ at all stages of the disease (stock image)
Other medications have been touted as effective treatments for combating coronavirus, only for trials to dash hopes – notably with hydroxychloroquine, the anti-malarial drug.
An earlier study by Professor Andrew Hill of Liverpool University also concluded that ivermectin cuts death rates by around three-quarters.
Dr Tess Lawrie, director of the Evidence-Based Medicine Consultancy in Bath, convened an online summit of international experts last weekend to discuss the new data. It included evidence that widespread use of ivermectin in parts of India and South America has led to a big reduction in infections and deaths.
The peer-reviewed study, to be published in the US journal Frontiers of Pharmacology, says the evidence is so strong that the drug – used to treat head lice and scabies – should become a standard therapy everywhere, so hastening the global recovery (file image)
Yesterday Dr Lawrie submitted a 97-page report to the World Health Organisation, urging it immediately to recommend ivermectin to treat Covid.
The drug, taken in tablet form or as drops, is licensed in Britain only as a treatment for parasitic worms, head lice and scabies.
It has been used by hundreds of millions of patients over the past 30 years, mainly in developing countries, and at around £50 per patient – less in some countries – is far cheaper than other new Covid treatments, such as the rheumatism drug tocilizumab, which costs £1,000 per patient.
The UK’s Medicines and Healthcare Regulatory Agency said it was aware of the global study into the use of ivermectin to treat Covid-19 and that its evidence would be reviewed.
What is it about Ivermectin that is effective against a virus if it is basically an anti parasite drug?
ReplyDeleteDr. Been has an interesting new video in which he describes about half a dozen different mechanisms by which ivermectin may alter the course of Covid, both early and late.
ReplyDeleteFor many drugs the mechanism of action is not understood! Isn't that a shocker! Or it is proprietary. FDA allows the industry a lot of leeway in what it must disclose to the consumer and medical professional.
HI all, WhiteBoard Doctor also has many great videos on ivermectin, mechanisms of action, reviews of all the studies done for prophylaxis, early treatment and hospital treatment with this humble drug. I myself, have helped almost 20 people with the early treatment protocol that Dr. Paul Marik and Dr. Pierre Kory, et al, have devised, their “I-MASK+” protocol. Even my 88 year old did beautifully. Not a single person I have helped has developed the organizing pneumonia so common in Covid, nor have they ever dropped their oxygen saturations, and of course, none have had to go to hospital. It’s an amazingly effective protocol with great tolerability, easy of use, and inexpensive. I highly recommend both Dr. Mobeen Syed’s videos and most definitely, the Frontline Covid Critical Care Alliance website at FLCCC.net Cheers to all and good health. StClair, FNP, ret
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