Ivermectin repurposing for COVID-19: pharmacological and bibliometric analysis

Area of Science:

• Medical Research
• Pharmacology
• Public Health

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic spurred global research for effective SARS-CoV-2 treatments.
• Ivermectin, an antiparasitic drug, gained attention for its hypothesized antiviral properties against SARS-CoV-2.
• Political and social factors influenced ivermectin's promotion as a COVID-19 alternative, particularly in Austria and the US.

Purpose of the Study:

• To critically analyze the controversial use of ivermectin for COVID-19.
• To examine publication trends and scientific quality of ivermectin research during the pandemic.
• To investigate the impact of socio-political dynamics on research publication practices.

Main Methods:

• PubMed database search for 'ivermectin' and 'COVID-19' publications from January 2020 to December 2022.
• Analysis of 353 publications for scientific quality, methodological rigor, and bias.
• Assessment of preprints, citation trends, funding sources, and socio-political influences.

Main Results:

• Many highly cited ivermectin studies exhibited methodological weaknesses and data gaps.
• Research propagation of hypotheses on ivermectin's efficacy lacked substantial empirical support.
• Socio-political dynamics influenced publication trends and the dissemination of research findings.

Conclusions:

• Rigorous quality control is essential for scientific research, especially during health crises.
• Methodologically deficient research poses long-term risks to scientific integrity and public health.
• The study underscores the need for critical evaluation of scientific literature amidst public health challenges.