Dear Editor:
Ivermectin, a well-known anti-helmintic agent from the late-1970s, causes stimulation
of gamma amino butyric acid (GABA)-gated-Cl− channels, leading to hyperpolarization,
and resulting in paralysis of the infesting organism. Another mechanism that has been
postulated for the same effect is the immunomodulation of host response. This is attained
by the activation of neutrophils, increase in the levels of C-reactive protein and
interleukin-6.
1
In recent times, the antiviral function of ivermectin has been discovered, which appears
to be intriguing. Already its effectiveness against certain flavivirus (dengue fever,
Japanese encephalitis and tick-borne encephalitis virus) and chikungunya virus has
been demonstrated in vitro.2, 3 Since then the same activity has been assessed in
numerous other viral infections. Off lately its potency has been recognized in eliminating
coronavirus in vitro. The exact mechanism to which this effect can be attributed to
is yet to be validated, but the speculated method is inhibition of importin α/β1 mediated
transport of viral proteins in and out of the nucleus importins, a type of karyopherins,
exemplify a major class of soluble transport receptors which are involved in nucleo-cytoplasmic
transit of various substrates (Fig. 1
).4, 5 The speculated inhibitory action of ivermectin on importin α/β mediated transport
system, the role of this drug in eliminating Covid-19 can be presumed.
Fig. 1
XXX.
Fig. 1
Until now, in only single in vitro study, the efficacy of ivermectin against coronavirus
has been demonstrated. Caly et al. tested for the viral RNA levels in both supernatant
and cell pellets of the Vero/hSLAM cells which were infected with SARS-CoV-2 (isolate
Australia/VIC01/2020), and were then treated with 5 μM ivermectin two hours later.
After 24 h, they observed a decline of about 93% and 98% in viral RNA levels and cell-associated
viral RNA, respectively. Later at 48 h, they detected further reduction (∼5000 fold)
in the viral RNA load only. To ascertain this finding, the infected cells were treated
with serial dilutions of ivermectin, and were then tested for viral RNA load by RT-PCR.
With this research, the investigators could comment about the inhibitory concentration
50 (IC50) which was estimated to be ∼2 μM, and also that no toxicities were noticed
for the various concentrations at which ivermectin was tested.
6
Based on the efficacy evidenced in in vitro study, various clinical studies have been
planned and started, though none of them have yet been completed (Table 1
).
Table 1
Salient features of ongoing clinical trials of ivermectin for COVID-19.
Table 1
S. No
Intervention
Phase
No. of Participants
Primary End Point(s)
Clinical TrialIdentifier
1
Ivermectin 0.2 mg /kg (single dose at once = 2 tablets of 6 mg/weeklyHydroxychloroquine
400 mg/dailyAzithromycin capsules 500 mg dailyPlacebo
I
50
Number of patients cured assessed by Nasopharyngeal swab, oropharyngeal swab, and
blood aspiration for covid19 (PCR) in addition to chest x-ray in 14 days
NCT04343092
2
Ivermectin 600 µg / kg once daily plus standard care.Control: Standard Care
II
45
Number of patients in whom the SARS-CoV-2 viral load decreases after ivermectin treatment
in 1−5 days
NCT04381884
3
Bicalutamide 150 mg by mouth daily for 7 daysIvermectin 600 µg/kg (up to a maximum
dose of 60 mg) by mouth daily for 3 days
II
60
Number of participants who have clinical improvement at day 7 after randomization
NCT04374279
4
Hydroxychloroquine:Days 1−14: 3 tabs (600 mg total daily dose)Azithromycin:Day 1:
2 tabs (500 mg total daily dose) Days 2−5: 1 tab (250 mg total daily dose)Ivermectin:Days
1−2: Weight < 75 kg: 4 tabs (12 mg total daily dose) Days 1−2: Weight > 75 kg: 5 tabs
(15 mg total daily dose)Camostat MesilateDays 1−14: 2 tab TID after a meal (600 mg
total daily dose)
II
240
Proportion of patients experiencing clinical deterioration in 14 days
NCT04374019
5
Ivermectin 200 mcg/kg once orally plus Nitazoxanide 500 mg twice daily orally with
meal for 6 daysControl: Standard Care
II/III
100
Number of Patients with COVID-19-negative PCR in 10 days
NCT04360356
6a
ChloroquineChloroquine with NitazoxanideChloroquine with ivermectin
IIIII
60
Number of patients with virological cure in six months
NCT04351347
7a
ChloroquineFavipiravirNitazoxanideIvermectinNiclosamideOther drugs (oselatamivir or
combination of any of above treatment)
II / III
120
Number of patients with decreased viral load in six months
NCT04345419
8a
NitazoxanideIvermectinChloroquineAzithromycin
III
80
Number of patients with virological cure in six months
NCT04382846
9
Ivermectin 200–400 mcg per kg body weightControl: Standard Care
N/A
50
Test for virus at 1, 3 & 5 days from beginning of trial drug started for the patient
in the hospital in 03 months
NCT04373824
All the details mentioned, have been obtained from https://clinicaltrials.gov/.
a
Dose of the drugs not available.
The in vitro potency of ivermectin against Covid-19 virus is a testimony that this
drug can be utilized to manage those patients who have been infected with SARS-CoV-2.
Since the conditions in which the virus replicates and infects the cells in vivo and
in vitro differs, a decisive comment about how ivermectin may prove to be beneficial
to the patients cannot be constructed yet. Similarly, any disparity in the pharmacokinetic
properties of this drug and the unidentified drug interactions which may occur under
such conditions are yet to be recognized and remarked on. Nevertheless if compared
with the other pharmacotherapeutic options for the management of Covid-19 infection,
ivermectin may prove to have leverage over them. In addition to a different mechanism
of action, there are other facets as well in which this drug may have an upper hand.
For instance, the adverse effects associated with hydroxychloroquine (irreversible
retinal damage, prolong QT interval, myopathy, neuropathy) or with lopinavir + ritonavir
combination (hypertriglyceridemia, hypercholesterolemia) are not seen in patients
who are on ivermectin. Furthermore, the treatment regimen with ivermectin may turn
out to be more cost-effective. The therapeutic regimen with hydroxychloroquine and
azithromycin combination comes out to be ∼5−6 times more expensive than the one with
ivermectin. The same can be commented about the patent antivirals which are priced
at exorbitant rates. Another worthwhile issue to be addressed is the over-utilization
of hydroxychloroquine in managing the Covid-19 patients, may create an apparent shortage
of this drug which is a standard treatment for patients with auto-immune diseases.
Taking into account these lacunae and merits, it becomes imperative that clinical
trials with ivermectin be conducted in patients of Covid-19, to comprehend whether
this drug can provide beneficial effect to those patients who have already developed
complications due to this infection.
Funding
No funding received.
Conflict of interest
The authors declare no conflicts of interest.