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.