A review of the anti-viral effects of ivermectin

Abstract

Ivermectin is an avermectin which is a group of pentacyclic sixteen-membered lactone (macrocyclic lactone disaccharide) derived from the soil bacterium Streptomyces avermitilis. It is a semi-synthetic broad-spectrum anti-helminthic, anti-viral and anti-cancer agent. It has a wide safety margin with low adverse effects when it is used orally. It has, however, so far only been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a broad spectrum anti-parasitic agent. Because ivermectin also has broad activities as an anti-viral agent, we herein review its pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic activities, as well as the in vitro and in vivo studies conducted on the drug. It is hoped that this work will pave way for ivermectin being seriously considered as an addition to the drugs available for the management of patients with COVID-19.
 Keywords: ivermectin; pharmacokinetics; pharmacodynamics; broad-spectrum anti-viral; COVID-19

Anticancer Potential of Ivermectin: Mechanisms of Action and Therapeutic Implications

“…Ivermectin is effective against several parasitic diseases, including scabies, elephantiasis, river blindness, trypanosomiasis, trichinosis, malaria, leishmaniasis, and schistosomiasis 2 . In addition to its antiparasitic properties, IVM has shown potential as an antiviral agent 3 . It has been found to inhibit the replication of flaviviruses by blocking the NS3 helicase activity and interfering with the transport of viral proteins to the nucleus via the α/β-mediated mechanism 3 .…”

“…In addition to its antiparasitic properties, IVM has shown potential as an antiviral agent 3 . It has been found to inhibit the replication of flaviviruses by blocking the NS3 helicase activity and interfering with the transport of viral proteins to the nucleus via the α/β-mediated mechanism 3 . Ivermectin also displays antiviral activity against viruses such as dengue and HIV-1 4 .…”