The global escalation of COVID19 pandemic has put the health care system under pressure with urgent need for treatment. In the absence of vaccine and approved drug against SARS-COV2 over the past 6 months, the health authorities were obliged to re-purpose existing drugs to fight this pandemic.
Ivermectin is a well-known FDA-approved pan antiparasitic drug with high safety profile and
potential therapeutic effects against COVID 19. It has been previously investigated as an
antiviral agent. It showed 5000 fold reduction of SARS COV 2 viral RNA in-vitro studies.
However, some researchers questioned its efficacy in the oral form as very high doses will be
required to achieve a proper tissue concentration and viricidal effect in the respiratory
system.
Our hypothesis is that, since COVID-19 has shown to be particularly damaging to the
respiratory system, using inhaled forms of Ivermectin will deliver the drug directly to the
infection site and make it a treatment option.
Drug: Ivermectin nasal
Ivermectin nasal spray one ml in each nostril two times daily
Other Name: ivermectin
Drug: Ivermectin oral
Ivermectin oral (one tablet 6 mg three times daily)
Other Name: ivermectin
Other: standard care
oxygen via masks or ventilators
Inclusion Criteria:
- mild to moderate severity who are confirmed to be positive for SARS COV 2.
Exclusion Criteria:
- patients with severe form of COVID-19 or those who are on ventilatory support or those
with cytokine storm
Kamal Okasha, PhD
201140403709
okasha70@yahoo.com
Nahla El-Ashmawy, PhD
201116721982
nahlaelashmawy@yahoo.com
Kamal Okasha, PhD, Principal Investigator
Tanta Univesity faculty of Medicine