Effects of a Single Dose of Ivermectin on Viral and Clinical Outcomes in Asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 Infected Subjects: A Pilot Clinical Trial in Lebanon

Viruses. 2021 May 26;13(6):989. doi: 10.3390/v13060989.

Abstract

Objective: This study was designed to determine the efficacy of ivermectin, an FDA-approved drug, in producing clinical benefits and decreasing the viral load of SARS-CoV-2 among asymptomatic subjects that tested positive for this virus in Lebanon.

Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted in 100 asymptomatic Lebanese subjects that have tested positive for SARS-CoV2. Fifty patients received standard preventive treatment, mainly supplements, and the experimental group received a single dose (according to body weight) of ivermectin, in addition to the same supplements the control group received.

Results: There was no significant difference (p = 0.06) between Ct-values of the two groups before the regimen was started (day zero), indicating that subjects in both groups had similar viral loads. At 72 h after the regimen started, the increase in Ct-values was dramatically higher in the ivermectin than in the control group. In the ivermectin group, Ct increased from 15.13 ± 2.07 (day zero) to 30.14 ± 6.22 (day three; mean ± SD), compared to the control group, where the Ct values increased only from 14.20 ± 2.48 (day zero) to 18.96 ± 3.26 (day three; mean ± SD). Moreover, more subjects in the control group developed clinical symptoms. Three individuals (6%) required hospitalization, compared to the ivermectin group (0%).

Conclusion: Ivermectin appears to be efficacious in providing clinical benefits in a randomized treatment of asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2-positive subjects, effectively resulting in fewer symptoms, lower viral load and reduced hospital admissions. However, larger-scale trials are warranted for this conclusion to be further cemented.

Keywords: COVID-19; Lebanon; SARS-CoV-2; clinical trial; ivermectin; pandemic; therapy.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Retracted Publication

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antiviral Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Asymptomatic Infections
  • COVID-19 / diagnosis
  • COVID-19 / virology
  • COVID-19 Drug Treatment*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Ivermectin / therapeutic use*
  • Lebanon / epidemiology
  • Male
  • SARS-CoV-2 / drug effects*
  • SARS-CoV-2 / isolation & purification
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Viral Load / drug effects

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents
  • Ivermectin