Ivermectin Associated with 83% Lower Risk of Death from COVID

The medication ivermectin is looking very promising. A meta-analysis of 4 prospective placebo-controlled studies showed an 83% decrease in death versus placebo in people who have COVID. The medication has been used very safely for many decades and is commonly given for head lice.

As more and more data is coming in, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has dropped its recommendation against the safe and low cost antiparasitic drug ivermectin for treatment of COVID, and the agency now advises "it can't recommend for or against its use, leaving the decision to physicians and their patients."

The medication is low cost. Using the free GoodRx® smartphone app, the price is $13 for the five 3 mg tablets, all taken at once at first sign of symptoms. The usual adult full dose is 1 mg for every 10 pounds of body weight to a maximum of 18 mg. If needed, this dose can be repeated after one week. It is very safe. I am recommending it for those I treat at first sign of suspicious symptoms, along with the 50 mg of zinc and 5,000 to 10,000 units of vitamin D daily.

Multiple studies are currently underway, so we should have more definitive information soon. In the interim, imho, an 83% lower death rate, low cost, and very high safety profile make it reasonable to be using this medication now, at first time of symptoms.