A group of six critical care physicians and researchers, four of who are affiliated with IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute in Milan, Italy, recently conducted a meta-analysis looking into ivermectin and along the way asking a highly uncomfortable question as to whether suspect claims about safety for commonly available drugs in fact are driven by a deep-seated, intensive fear of failure among the scientific and medical community. After all, tens of billions have been invested into a particular approach and anything that gets in the way could be deemed recognition of failure. In probing the ivermectin situation, the group, including four Italians, a Russian and Spanish doctors and researcher identified over 45 clinical trials ongoing involving ivermectin investigations. In performing yet another ivermectin meta-analysis covering a total of 1323 patients randomized across seven randomized controlled trials conducted in six countries, the group identified that in fact ivermectin treatment led to a statistically significant lower mortality rate when compared to placebo. The authors argue that while in fact “ironclad evidence” represents a fundamental underpinning of modern medicine, in emergency situations the use of an economical medication with a well-known safety profile, including absence of major side effects within dosage ranges, could be considered in fact quite rational. Despite the “urge” to demand large high quality randomized controlled trials, the authors declare that the existing ivermectin studies “point in the same direction” and this simply cannot be ignored. After all, the vaccines are still experimental, meaning they are authorized under emergency use authorization exactly due to conditions associated with pandemic times. Perhaps the authors imply, the same logic could be applied to ivermectin.
Studies
The authors shared a few of the studies, including the Bangladesh study led by Ahmed S where treating mild cases of SARS-CoV-2, the study used a dose of ivermectin of 12 mg for 5 days. The results were published in the International Journal of Infectious Diseases.
They also covered the Egyptian study led by Elgazzar A et al covering mild to severe COVID-19, using a dose of 400 mcg/kg (max 24 mg) for 4 days—the results are still in preprint. Yet another study led by Hashim HA in Iraq treated mild to severe cases with 200 mcg/kg for 2 to 3 days and available via the preprint server. Other studies included Niaee, MS et al from Iran, Okumus in Turkey, Ravikirti in India and another study out of Bangladesh authored by Mahmud R.
