June 2021: Mounting Evidence Supports Ivermectin for COVID-19

​Ivermectin has been proposed as a treatment for COVID-19 based on in vitro studies. It is currently FDA-approved for treating parasites (intestinal strongyloidiasis and onchocerciasis) but not approved for COVID-19, though a large body of evidence supports its use in inpatients and outpatients. (Antiviral Res. 2020;178:104787; https://bit.ly/3bpeTrm.)Mechanism of ActionIvermectin is an antiparasitic agent that binds directly and has high affinity to the glutamate-gated chloride ion channels in invertebrate muscle and nerve cells of microfilaria. This causes the cell membrane to have increased permeability to chloride ions and leads to hyperpolarization of the cell, which then leads to the paralysis and eventual death of the parasite. It is also believed to act as a GABA agonist and to disrupt GABA-mediated neurotransmission.Proposed Action against SARS-CoV-2The in vitro studies demonstrated that ivermectin inhibits host importin alpha/beta-1 nuclear transport proteins. This transport system is used by the COVID-19 virus to suppress the host's antiviral response. (National Institutes of Health. April 21, 2021; https://bit.ly/3w98rwC.) Ivermectin may also inhibit the attachment of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein to the cell membrane. (National Institutes of Health. April 21, 2021; https://bit.ly/3w98rwC.) It also inhibited SARS-CoV-2 replication in in vitro studies, and appears to have antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties.Proposed Dosage for COVID-19Post-C...
Source: The Tox Cave - Category: Emergency Medicine Tags: Blog Posts Source Type: blogs