Ivermectin and its antiviral action against SARS-CoV-2: From in vitro effect to clinical practice

Manuel Segura Plasencia N.; Amparito Dávila Vela T. · Revista Cubana de Medicina General Integral (2021)

Resumen

Introduction: Since the end of 2019, the world is being affected by a new pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2, with considerable numbers of deaths in several countries, including Peru. One of the drugs used against this infection is ivermectin, due to its potential antiviral effect. Recently, after conducting in vitro studies, several researchers have argued that the inhibitory action on nuclear transport of ivermectin could be effective against SARS-CoV-2 in humans. Objective: To collect information about the antiviral action of ivermectin against SARS-CoV-2 and to analyze its use in clinical practice. Methods: The search strategy was designed based on the terms of the research topic. Descriptors in health sciences (DsCS) were searched in BIREME and connectors were used in PubMed. Only primary studies within the years 2019 and 2020 were included. Conclusions: Various clinical trials are being carried out with ivermectin, due to its potential antiviral effect. However, they are in different assessment and execution stages, a reason why it is appropriate to wait for new outcomes of this research in the following months. Unfortunately, the few published scientific studies lack a strong methodology, a reason why their findings should not be considered for public health practice.

Instituciones: Universidad Privada Antenor Orrego