What is the therapeutic value of ivermectin for treating
SARS-CoV-2 infection?
Ivermectin (avermectin B1a and avermectin B1b) is an anti-parasitic drug
that has shown broad-spectrum anti-viral activity in vitro . In
SARS-CoV-2-infected fibroblasts (Vero-hSLAM cells), a single addition of
Ivermectin at 2 h post-infection reduced viral RNA
~5000-fold at 48 hours.194 However,
plasma concentrations of total and unbound ivermectin did not reach the
IC50 determined in vitro , even at a 10-times higher dose than
approved by the Food and Drug Administration (USA).195Consequently, the likelihood of a successful clinical trial using
ivermectin is low.