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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2021 May 26;13(6):989.
doi: 10.3390/v13060989.

Effects of a Single Dose of Ivermectin on Viral and Clinical Outcomes in Asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 Infected Subjects: A Pilot Clinical Trial in Lebanon

Ali A Samaha  1   2   3   4 , Hussein Mouawia  1 , Mirna Fawaz  2 , Hamad Hassan  1   5 , Ali Salami  6 , Ali Al Bazzal  1 , Hamid Bou Saab  7 , Mohamed Al-Wakeel  8 , Ahmad Alsaabi  9 , Mohamad Chouman  1 , Mahmoud Al Moussawi  10 , Hassan Ayoub  4 , Ali Raad  1 , Ola Hajjeh  1 , Ali H Eid  11   12 , Houssam Raad  1
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

Effects of a Single Dose of Ivermectin on Viral and Clinical Outcomes in Asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 Infected Subjects: A Pilot Clinical Trial in Lebanon

Ali A Samaha et al. Viruses. .

Retraction in

Abstract

Objective: This study was designed to determine the efficacy of ivermectin, an FDA-approved drug, in producing clinical benefits and decreasing the viral load of SARS-CoV-2 among asymptomatic subjects that tested positive for this virus in Lebanon.

Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted in 100 asymptomatic Lebanese subjects that have tested positive for SARS-CoV2. Fifty patients received standard preventive treatment, mainly supplements, and the experimental group received a single dose (according to body weight) of ivermectin, in addition to the same supplements the control group received.

Results: There was no significant difference (p = 0.06) between Ct-values of the two groups before the regimen was started (day zero), indicating that subjects in both groups had similar viral loads. At 72 h after the regimen started, the increase in Ct-values was dramatically higher in the ivermectin than in the control group. In the ivermectin group, Ct increased from 15.13 ± 2.07 (day zero) to 30.14 ± 6.22 (day three; mean ± SD), compared to the control group, where the Ct values increased only from 14.20 ± 2.48 (day zero) to 18.96 ± 3.26 (day three; mean ± SD). Moreover, more subjects in the control group developed clinical symptoms. Three individuals (6%) required hospitalization, compared to the ivermectin group (0%).

Conclusion: Ivermectin appears to be efficacious in providing clinical benefits in a randomized treatment of asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2-positive subjects, effectively resulting in fewer symptoms, lower viral load and reduced hospital admissions. However, larger-scale trials are warranted for this conclusion to be further cemented.

Keywords: COVID-19; Lebanon; SARS-CoV-2; clinical trial; ivermectin; pandemic; therapy.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Flow chart of participant enrollment and randomization.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Bar chart showing threshold cycle (Ct-value) progression from baseline to 72 h after standard treatment in the control group. Descriptive analysis and comparison of means showed minimal increase in the Ct-value among participants in the control group.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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