Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 31, 2025
Author Spotlight: Evaluating the Adjuvant Efficacy and Safety of Angong Niuhuang Pill in Viral Encephalitis Treatment
Published on: April 19, 2024
Ivermectin for the Treatment of Coronavirus Disease 2019: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized
Yuani M Roman1, Paula Alejandra Burela2,3, Vinay Pasupuleti4
1Health Outcomes, Policy, and Evidence Synthesis (HOPES) Group, University of Connecticut School of Pharmacy, Storrs, Connecticut, USA.
Background:
We systematically assessed benefits and harms of the use of ivermectin (IVM) in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
Methods:
Published and preprint randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing the effects of IVM on adult patients with COVID-19 were searched until 22 March 2021 in 5 engines. Primary outcomes were all-cause mortality rate, length of hospital stay (LOS), and adverse events (AEs). Secondary outcomes included viral clearance and severe AEs (SAEs). The risk of bias (RoB) was evaluated using the Cochrane Risk of Bias 2.0 tool. Inverse variance random effect meta-analyses were performed, with quality of evidence (QoE) evaluated using GRADE methods.
Results:
Ten RCTs (n = 1173) were included. The controls were the standard of care in 5 RCTs and placebo in 5. COVID-19 disease severity was mild in 8 RCTs, moderate in 1, and mild and moderate in 1. IVM did not reduce all-cause mortality rates compared with controls (relative risk [RR], 0.37 [95% confidence interval, .12-1.13]; very low QoE) or LOS compared with controls (mean difference, 0.72 days [95% confidence interval, -.86 to 2.29 days]; very low QoE). AEs, SAEs, and viral clearance were similar between IVM and control groups (low QoE for all outcomes). Subgroups by severity of COVID-19 or RoB were mostly consistent with main analyses; all-cause mortality rates in 3 RCTs at high RoB were reduced with IVM.
Conclusions:
Compared with the standard of care or placebo, IVM did not reduce all-cause mortality, LOS, or viral clearance in RCTs in patients with mostly mild COVID-19. IVM did not have an effect on AEs or SAEs and is not a viable option to treat patients with COVID-19.
Insights
Ivermectin (IVM) did not significantly reduce mortality or hospital stay for COVID-19 patients in this systematic review. The drug showed no benefit for viral clearance or adverse events, concluding it is not a viable COVID-19 treatment.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Pharmacology
- Clinical Trials
Background:
- Systematic assessment of ivermectin (IVM) benefits and harms in COVID-19 patients.
- Focus on randomized controlled trials (RCTs) for robust evidence.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of ivermectin in treating COVID-19.
- To assess the impact of IVM on mortality, hospital stay, and adverse events.
Main Methods:
- Searched published and preprint RCTs up to March 22, 2021.
- Analyzed primary outcomes: all-cause mortality, length of hospital stay (LOS), and adverse events (AEs).
- Evaluated risk of bias and quality of evidence using Cochrane and GRADE methods.
Main Results:
- Ten RCTs (1173 patients) were included, mostly with mild COVID-19.
- Ivermectin showed no significant reduction in all-cause mortality (RR 0.37, very low QoE) or LOS (MD 0.72 days, very low QoE).
- Adverse events, severe adverse events, and viral clearance were similar between ivermectin and control groups (low QoE).
Conclusions:
- Ivermectin is not effective in reducing mortality or LOS in COVID-19 patients.
- No significant effect on adverse events or viral clearance observed.
- Ivermectin is not a viable treatment option for COVID-19.
More Related Videos
08:41Live Imaging and Quantification of Viral Infection in K18 hACE2 Transgenic Mice Using Reporter-Expressing Recombinant SARS-CoV-2
Published on: November 5, 2021
06:49Reduced Itraconazole Concentration and Durations Are Successful in Treating Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis Infection in Amphibians
Published on: March 14, 2014
Related Concept Videos
01:11Clinical Trials: Overview
01:14Myocarditis III: Medical Management
01:28Antimicrobial Effectiveness
01:16Clinical Trials
There are four phases in a clinical trial. A phase one...
01:18Endocarditis III: Medical Management
01:28Pneumonia IV: Management
Bacterial Pneumonia Treatment
For bacterial pneumonia, antibiotics serve as the cornerstone of therapy. Initial treatment often begins with empirical antibiotics, tailored to the anticipated causative organism and adjusted based on culture results. Key antibiotic choices include: