Use of Ivermectin as a Potential Chemoprophylaxis for COVID-19 in Egypt: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Introduction: The rate of secondary attacks of SARS-COV-2 is high among household close contacts Social distancing, isolation and infection control measures are important for preventing exposure to infection, but insufficient Aim: The study aimed to evaluate possible role of oral ivermectin as a chemoprophylaxis in asymptomatic family close contacts with COVID-19 patients Materials and Methods: A prospective interventional randomised open label-controlled study was conducted (registered at clinicaltrials gov;NCT04422561) during June and July 2020 Two arms were designed according to use of ivermectin In ivermectin arm, contacts received ivermectin according to Body Weight (BW) on day of the diagnosis of their index case The nonintervention group received no treatment Both groups were followed-up for two weeks for development of symptoms suggestive of COVID-19 Results: Ivermectin group included 203 contacts (to 52 index cases) aged 39 75±14 94 years;52 2% were males Nonintervention group included 101 contacts (to a total of 24 index cases) aged 37 69±16 96 years, 49 5% were males Fifteen contacts (7 4%) developed COVID-19 in the ivermectin arm compared to 59 (58 4%) in the nonintervention arm (P <0 001) The protection rate for ivermectin was more prominent in contacts aged less than 60-year-old (6 2% infected compared to 58 7% if no treatment) Ivermectin in the protection against SARS-CoV-2 infection had an OR of 12 533 and 11 445 (compared to nontreatment) in both univariate and multivariate models, respectively Side effects of ivermectin were reported in 5 4%;they were mild Conclusion: Ivermectin is suggested to be a promising, effective and safe chemoprophylactic drug in management of COVID-19 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] Copyright of Journal of Clinical & Diagnostic Research is the property of JCDR Research & Publications Private Limited and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use This abstract may be abridged No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract (Copyright applies to all Abstracts )