In the Dominican Republic, a discussion has arisen about the use of ivermectin as part of the treatment of people who have contracted the coronavirus.
Regarding this wormer, the Minister of Health Plutarco Arias said earlier this week that the drug is not recommended for mass use, despite the fact that in some cases it has caused positive patient evolution. citing that its efficacy in relation to the coronavirus is still under investigation by scientists.
“Despite the positive results obtained in the Dominican Republic with ivermectin in patients infected with the virus, the efficacy of this and other drugs as a treatment against Covid-19 is still under scientific evaluation at the national and international level”, says Arias. last Tuesday.
The same statement was also made by former head of the Ministry of Health, Rafael Sánchez Cárdenas, in which he indicated that no resolution had been issued on this drug as it was still under investigation in May 2020.
But, What are health organizations saying about ivermectin as a treatment for patients infected with COVID-19?
The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not recommend its use for the prevention or treatment of coronavirus, and cautions people not to use any type of medication that has not been prescribed by a health professional.
In fact, according to the latest FDA portal update, Ivermectin is not allowed in the United States, even in COVID emergencies.
“The use of ivermectin for the prevention or treatment of COVID-19 should be avoided as the benefits and safety for these purposes have not been established. Data from clinical trials is needed to determine whether ivermectin is safe and effective in the treatment or prevention of COVID-19, ”said the FDA.
Likewise, the World Health Organization (WHO) does not recommend the use of ivermectin for this purpose, highlighting its potential side effects.
Ivermectin is also not included in the list of drugs for the treatment of coronavirus Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC, for the acronym in English) of the United States.
Side effects
The FDA reported that some of the side effects that may be associated with ivermectin include rash, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, and swelling of the face or limbs.
They also associate it with neurological side effects such as dizziness, seizures, or temporary confusion; sudden drop in blood pressure; severe rash that may require hospitalization and liver damage.
They can also change some categories of lab tests, such as a decreased white blood cell count and increased liver tests.
What is it approved for?
Ivermectin is a drug that is used in both humans and animals to treat various parasites.
In its presentation in tablets for human use, it is indicated for the treatment of parasites such as (intestinal strongyloidiasis and onchocerciasis), and as a cream for lice and skin conditions such as rosacea.
While it is used in animals for heartworm disease in some types of small animals, and for the treatment of certain internal and external parasites in various species.
What do the studies say?
Some studies have shown positive results in this area, such as that of the journal Antiviral Research mid-last year, in which they draw encouraging conclusions.
Their study found that ivermectin is an inhibitor of the causative virus COVID-19, adding that a single treatment can achieve about 5000-fold reduction in virus after 48 hours in cell culture.
However, the FDA said these types of lab studies are usually used early in drug development and additional testing is needed to determine if ivermectin is suitable to prevent or treat coronavirus or COVID-19. .