Ivermectin Isn't a Safe COVID-19 Treatment

News of the miracle drug Ivermectin being a cure for COVID-19 has been disseminating on social media, the claim was first heard in August 2020. Tweets have circulated that the drug cures COVID-19 within 48 hours. Ivermectin which is originally given to people as well as livestock for parasitic infections is used to cure lice, worms, and scabies. Although a meta-analysis of existing research has been accurate, huge uncertainty remains about whether this treatment can be safely and effectively repurposed to tackle the coronavirus. Some scientists were skeptical of the data and said that more results would be required before it could be considered as a treatment. They pointed to other drugs that have shown early promise, only to then underperform in large-scale trials. One such scientist is Andrew McLachlan, from the University of Sydney who writes that many of the current studies have weak designs, low numbers of participants, and inconsistent Ivermectin dosing schedules.

Moreover, observational studies, though useful, are a lower standard of evidence than clinical trials and cannot provide the level of confidence necessary to support the bold claim. Due to the gaps in knowledge, the FDA warns that there are numerous side effects associated with Ivermectin and further advises people to avoid using Ivermectin as a COVID-19 treatment as its safety has not been established. There are still trials underway, including one by Oxford University which will be able to shed light on the effectiveness of this drug. Therefore, despite small-scaled preliminary trial results being accurate, Ivermectin can't conclusively be called a cure, hence the Misbar team classifies this as misleading.