A Randomized Controlled Trial of Ivermectin Monotherapy Versus Hydroxychloroquine, Ivermectin, and Azithromycin Combination Therapy in Covid-19 Patients in Nigeria

Abstract

The efficacy of ivermectin (IVM) against SARS-CoV-2 has been demonstrated in vitro, while several clinical studies suggest that it is efficacious and safe in reducing morbidity and mortality. Hydroxychloroquine HCQ, IVM and azithromycin AZM (HIA therapy) are being used in several low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) where more expensive medications such as remdesivir are out of reach. In this study, we set out to compare the efficacy of IVM monotherapy with HIA combination therapy. Methods: This was a single-blind, randomized control trial of 2 parallel groups of COVID-19-positive Nigerians. Thirty patients received ivermectin 200 mcg/kg daily for five days, while 31 patients received HIA triple therapy. The viral cycle threshold (Ct) at pretreatment baseline and days 2, 5 14 and 21 were measured for the E- and N-genes. SPO2 was assessed on a daily basis, while inflammatory markers erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein, and D-dimer and neutrophil/lymphocyte ratios (NLRs) were assessed at baseline and day 7. Clinical status was self-assessed daily on a Likert scale. Results: Two-way repeated measures analysis of variance (RAMOVA) did not show any difference between the two groups. However, there was a significant time effect (improvement over time) for SPO2, Ct N-gene, Ct E-gene and clinical status in both groups and significant reductions in inflammatory markers by day 7. (P<0.0001). Conclusions: AZT + HCQ may be a redundant adjuvant in COVID-19 therapy. Improvements noted are likely due in large part to ivermectin virucidal and anti-inflammatory actions.

A Comparison of Ivermectin and Non Ivermectin Based Regimen for COVID-19 in Abuja: Effects on Virus Clearance, Days-to-discharge and Mortality

“…Initial anxieties that the therapeutic doses may not be achieved have been allayed by the fact that IVM selectively concentrates in lung cells where therapeutic levels can be attained [14]. Consequently, several authors have demonstrated the in vivo antiviral efficacy of IVM [7,15,16,17,18]. This has been further confirmed with our study.…”

“…The preponderance of evidence, based on various meta-analyses, suggests that the drug is efficacious as prophylaxis and as therapy for COVID-19 [4,5,6]. In Nigeria, Babalola et al [7] demonstrated the superiority of ivermectin (IVM) in viral clearance over alluvia (lopinavir/ritonavir) with a hazard ratio of 2.0 on Cox regression analysis. In addition, Babalola et al [8] compared IVM used alone with the triple therapy of IVM+ hydroxychloroquine (HCQ)+azithromycin (AZM) in Abuja.…”