An Austrian FPÖ politician is currently warning of a dramatic fourth corona wave, but does not see the solution in vaccinations, but rather more medication should be administered. He mentioned the drug “Ivermectin”
After a rumor spread in Germany and the USA that the dewormer “Ivermectin” could have a positive effect on a corona infection, authorities are warning against taking the drug. We ourselves already reported on this product August and September
Ivermectin was originally used to treat parasites, especially in horses and cows.
It is also approved in the USA in small doses to treat humans. According to the CDC, there has been a sharp increase in prescriptions of the drug in the USA since December 2020. US authorities warn against taking the alleged remedy because there is no scientific evidence of a positive effect against the coronavirus and taking larger quantities could even be dangerous.
The German medical journal reported just a few days ago that treatment attempts with ivermectin can be toxic. In the United States, poison control centers are receiving an increasing number of calls from patients who have taken ivermectin to prevent or treat COVID-19.
The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has reviewed the evidence from laboratory studies, observational studies, clinical trials and meta-analyses and concluded that the available data do not support the use of ivermectin for the treatment of COVID-19 outside of clinical trials.
Studies on Ivermectin
Laboratory studies found that ivermectin can block the replication of SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19). However, the concentration required for this is significantly higher than currently approved dosages allow. The clinical trial picture was mixed: some clinical trials showed no benefit, others showed possible benefit. Most of the studies examined by the EMA were small and had additional limitations, such as different dosages or the use of additional medicines. The EMA therefore concluded that the currently available evidence is not sufficient to support the use of ivermectin in COVID-19 outside of clinical trials.
Situation at EU level
In the EU, ivermectin medicines are not approved to treat COVID-19. The EMA has not received any application for approval for such an application.
Situation in Austria
In Austria, ivermectin tablets are used in humans for the treatment of scabies (scabies mites) and parasitic worm infestations with strongyloidiasis (dwarf threadworms) as well as microfilaremia caused by Wuchereria bancrofti (tropical threadworms) and ivermectin skin preparations for the treatment of skin diseases in the context of papulopustular rosacea (copper acne). authorized. In the veterinary field, approval extends to use against internal and external parasites in a variety of animal species.
BASG recommendation
Ivermectin is generally well tolerated within the approved dosages.
However, in order to achieve concentrations with antiviral activity against SARS-COV-2 in the lungs, significantly higher doses would be necessary, which in turn could lead to increased side effects. It cannot be ruled out that ivermectin has a toxic effect at doses higher than the approved dosage. The use of ivermectin cannot currently be recommended (with the exception of controlled clinical studies) to prevent or treat COVID-19.
Further information and sources:
Warning from the European Medicines Agency (EMA)
Original publication
Deutsches Ärzteblatt
Uni-Würzburg
European Medicines Agency
Notes:
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