Ivermectin for Severe COVID-19 Management

The Effectiveness and Safety of Ivermectin as add-on Therapy in Severe COVID-19 Management

In this multicenter study; it was aimed to investigate the effectiveness and safety of ivermectin use in the treatment of patients with severe COVID-19 pneumonia that have no mutations which alter ivermectin metabolism and cause side effects.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: COVID-19
• Intervention / Treatment: Drug: Ivermectin

Detailed Description

Patients with severe COVID-19 pneumonia were included in the study. Two groups, the study group and the control group, took part in the study.

Ivermectin 200 mcg/kg/day for five days (9 mg between 36-50 kg, 12 mg between 51-65 kg, 15 mg between 66-79 kg and 200 microgram/kg in > 80 kg) in the form of a solution prepared for enteral use added to the reference treatment protocol -hydroxychloroquine (2x400mg loading dose followed by 2x200mg, po, 5 days) + favipiravir (2x1600mg loading dose followed by 2x600mg maintenance dose, po, total 5 days) + azithromycin (first day 500mg followed by 4 days 250mg/day, po, total 5 days)- of patients included in the study group. Patients in the control group were given only reference treatment with 3 other drugs without ivermectin.

The mutations in 29 pairs of primers in mdr1/abcab1 gene by sequencing analysis using Sanger method, and the haplotypes and mutations of the CYP3A4 gene that cause the function losing were investigated among the patients who meet criteria and who were included in the study group according to randomization. Mutation screening was done when the first dose of the research drug ivermectin was given, ivermectin treatment was not continued in patients with mutations detected as a result of genetic examination and these patients were excluded from the study.

Patients were followed for 5 additional days after treatment. At the end of the treatment and follow-up period (At the end of 10th day), clinical response and changes in oxygenation and laboratory parameters were evaluated.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 66
• Phase: Phase 3

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Turkey
  • Afyonkarahisar, Turkey
    • Afyonkarahisar Health Science University
  • Ankara, Turkey
    • Gulhane Faculty of Medicine, University of Health Sciences
  • Ankara, Turkey
    • Yıldırım Beyazıt University, Ankara City Hospital
  • İstanbul, Turkey
    • Haydarpasa Sultan Abdulhamid Han Training and Research Hospital

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 18 years and older (Adult, Older Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No
• Genders Eligible for Study: All

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients who were hospitalised with a pre-diagnosis of "severe COVID-19 pneumonia" and thereafter diagnosis of COVID-19 was also confirmed microbiologically with PCR positivity in respiratory tract samples were included into the study. They were randomized to the study and control group, respectively.

Patients with at least one of the criteria below were accepted as patients with severe COVID-19 pneumonia;

1. Presence of tachypnea ≥ 30/minute, SpO2 level < 90% in room air, PaO2/FiO2 <300 in oxygen receiving patient
2. Presence of specific radiological finding for COVID-19 in lung tomography (bilateral lobular, peripherally located, diffuse patchy ground glass opacities)
3. Mechanical ventilation requirement
4. Acute organ dysfunction findings; patients with SOFA (sepsis-related organ failure assessment) score >2

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients with the following characteristics were excluded from the study.

  1. Pediatric patients; <18 years of old
  2. Patients with chronic liver or kidney disease
  3. Pregnant women
  4. Patients with known ivermectin allergy

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: None (Open Label)

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
No Intervention: Control Group; Patients who were hospitalised with a pre-diagnosis of severe COVID-19 pneumonia and thereafter diagnosis of COVID-19 was also confirmed microbiologically with PCR positivity in respiratory tract samples were included into the study. They were randomized to the control and study group, respectively. Hydroxychloroquine, favipiravir and azithromycin (HFA) standard treatment protocol were given to the control group as recommended in the "COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2 Infection) Guide" prepared by the Republic of Turkey Ministry of Health.
Experimental: Study Group; In addition to HFA treatment, ivermectin 200 micrograms/kg/day (9mg between 36-50 kg, 12mg between 51-65 kg, 15mg between 66-79 kg and 200 micrograms/kg in > 80 kg) in the form of a solution prepared for enteral use was added (HFA+I) to the treatment protocol of the study group's for five days. Blood sample was taken with the first dose of ivermectin and haplotype analysis was performed in ABCB1 and CYP3A4 genes in the whole study group.	Drug: Ivermectin; Ivermectin 5mg/5ml solution was manufactured by NEUTEC™ Pharmaceutical Company-Turkey, under "Good Manufacturing Practices" (GMP) certification conditions.; Other Names: Hydroxychloroquine, favipiravir and azithromycin

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Gender Distribution of the Patients	The gender of patients (Male/female) in both groups were recorded at the time of inclusion.	At the first day of the study
Age Distribution of the Patients	The age of the patients (years) in both groups were recorded at the time of inclusion.	At the first day of the study
Percentage of Patients With Accompanying Diseases	At the beginning of the study, the patients were asked whether there were any of the following accompanying diseases and the percentage of patients with accompanying disease in both groups were recorded: Diabetes mellitus; Hypertension; Coronary artery disease; Cardiac failure; Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; Malignancy; Immunodeficiency	At the first day of the study
Percentage of Patients With Baseline Clinical Symptoms	At the beginning of the study, the patients were asked whether there were any of the following clinical symptoms and the percentage of patients with any of the clinical symptoms in both groups were recorded: Fever; Cough; Sore throat; Dispnea; Headache; Weakness; Myalgia; Diarrhea; Nausea or vomiting	At the first day of the study
Body Temperature Means of the Patients	At the beginning of the study, the body temperatures (as degree celcius) of the patients were measured and the mean body temperature values of both groups were recorded.	At the first day of the study
Heart Rate Means of the Patients	At the beginning of the study, the heart rates (as per minute) of the patients were measured and the mean heart rate values of both groups were recorded.	At the first day of the study
Respiratory Rate Means of the Patients	At the beginning of the study, the respiratory rates (as per minute) of the patients were measured and the mean respiratory rate values of both groups were recorded.	At the first day of the study
Systolic and Diastolic Pressure Means of the Patients	At the beginning of the study, the systolic and diastolic pressures (as mmHg) of the patients were measured and the mean systolic and diastolic pressure values of both groups were recorded.	At the first day of the study
Number of Participants With Clinical Response	The presence of at least two of the following criteria in patients at the end of 5th day were accepted as "clinical response": Extubation in mechanically ventilated patients, respiratory rate <26/min, SpO2 level in room air >90%, PaO2/FiO2 >300 in patients receiving oxygen, presence of at least two of the 2-point reduction criteria in "Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA)" score.	From starting to the end of ivermectin therapy (0 to the end of 5th day)
Changes in Oxygen Saturation (SpO2) Values	Baseline SpO2 values of the patients were recorded in both groups. Then, their treatments were started and SpO2 values at the end of the 1st (TD1), 3rd (TD3) and 5th days (TD5) were also recorded. The end of the 5th day was accepted as the primary endpoint. While the change in SpO2 values on the 1st, 3rd and 5th days after the basal value calculated graphically, the change in the SpO2 value at the end of the 5th day (primary endpoint) with the baseline value was compared statistically (the results were given as p value).	From starting to the end of ivermectin therapy (0 to the end of 5th day)
Changes in the Ratio of Partial Pressure of Oxygen (PaO2) to Fraction of Inspired Oxygen (FiO2) (PaO2/FiO2)	Baseline PaO2/FiO2 ratios of the patients were recorded in both groups. Then, their treatments were started and PaO2/FiO2 ratios at the end of the 1st (TD1), 3rd (TD3) and 5th days (TD5) were also recorded. The end of the 5th day was accepted as the primary endpoint. While the change in PaO2/FiO2 ratios on the 1st, 3rd and 5th days after the basal ratio was calculated graphically, the change in the PaO2/FiO2 ratio at the end of the 5th day (primary endpoint) with the baseline value was compared statistically (the results were given as p value).	From starting to the end of ivermectin therapy (0 to the end of 5th day)
Changes in Serum Lymphocyte Counts	Baseline Serum Lymphocyte counts (cell/mm^3) of the patients were recorded in both groups. Then, their treatments were started and Serum Lymphocyte counts at the end of the 1st (TD1), 3rd (TD3) and 5th days (TD5) were also recorded. The end of the 5th day was accepted as the primary endpoint. While the change in Serum Lymphocyte counts on the 1st, 3rd and 5th days after the basal level was calculated graphically, the change in the Serum Lymphocyte count at the end of the 5th day (primary endpoint) with the baseline count was compared statistically (the results were given as p value).	From starting to the end of ivermectin therapy (0 to the end of 5th day)
Changes in the Ratio of Polymorphonuclear Leukocyte Count to Lymphocyte Count (PNL/L)	Baseline PNL/L ratio of the patients were recorded in both groups. Then, their treatments were started and PNL/L ratios at the end of the 1st (TD1), 3rd (TD3) and 5th days (TD5) were also recorded. The end of the 5th day was accepted as the primary endpoint. While the change in PNL/L ratios on the 1st, 3rd and 5th days after the basal level was calculated graphically, the change in the PNL/L ratio at the end of the 5th day (primary endpoint) with the baseline ratio was compared statistically (the results were given as p value).	From starting to the end of ivermectin therapy (0 to the end of 5th day)
Changes in Serum Ferritin Levels	Baseline serum ferritin levels (mg/dL) of the patients were recorded in both groups. Then, their treatments were started and serum ferritin levels at the end of the 1st (TD1), 3rd (TD3) and 5th days (TD5) were also recorded. The end of the 5th day was accepted as the primary endpoint. While the change in serum ferritin levels on the 1st, 3rd and 5th days after the basal level was calculated graphically, the change in the serum ferritin level at the end of the 5th day (primary endpoint) with the baseline level was compared statistically (the results were given as p value).	From starting to the end of ivermectin therapy (0 to the end of 5th day)
Changes in Serum D-dimer Levels	Baseline serum D-dimer levels (mg/L) of the patients were recorded in both groups. Then, their treatments were started and serum D-dimer levels at the end of the 1st (TD1), 3rd (TD3) and 5th days (TD5) were also recorded. The end of the 5th day was accepted as the primary endpoint. While the change in serum D-dimer levels on the 1st, 3rd and 5th days after the basal level was calculated graphically, the change in the serum D-dimer level at the end of the 5th day (primary endpoint) with the baseline level was compared statistically (the results were given as p value).	From starting to the end of ivermectin therapy (0 to the end of 5th day)
Genetic Examination of Haplotypes and Mutations That Cause Function Losing for Ivermectin Metabolism	A blood sample was taken from the patients included in the study group, after taking or during the first dose of ivermectin. From the blood samples, haplotypes and mutations that cause the function losing were investigated by performing sequence analysis of multidrug resistance 1 (MDR1)/ABCB1 and CYP3A4 genes with Sanger method. In case of detection of mutation, the patient were excluded from the study and if observed, side effects of ivermectin were noted.	At the first day of ivermectin therapy (1st day)
Treatment-Related Adverse Events as Assessed by CTCAE v4.0	Adverse effects of ivermectin and drugs other than ivermectin (Hydroxychloroquine, favipiravir, azithromycin) were evaluated in the patients in the study group and and the number of participants were noted. Adverse effects of drugs other than ivermectin (Hydroxychloroquine, favipiravir, azithromycin) were evaluated in the patients in the control group and and the number of participants were noted.	At the first 5 days of study

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Number of Participants With Clinical Response	The presence of at least two of the following criteria in patients on the 10th day were accepted as "clinical response": Respiration rate between 22-24/min, SpO2 level in room air >95%, absence of oxygen requirement, observation of radiological improvement in control lung tomography and no need for intensive care.	10 days (5 days ivermectin therapy plus 5 days follow-up)
Mortality	The number of died patients were evaluated in study and control groups	Through study completion, an average of 3 months
Changes in Oxygen Saturation (SpO2) Values	In both groups, after the treatment period was completed (first 5 days, primary endpoint), patients were followed up for 5 more days (follow-up period). SpO2 values at the end of 6th (FD1), 8th (FD3) and 10th day (FD5) were also recorded. The end of the 10th day was accepted as the secondary endpoint. While the change in SpO2 values on the 6th, 8th and 10th days was calculated graphically, the change in the SpO2 value at the end of the 10th day (secondary endpoint) with the baseline value was compared statistically (the results were given as p value).	From 6th to the end of 10th day
Changes in the Ratio of Partial Pressure of Oxygen (PaO2) to Fraction of Inspired Oxygen (FiO2) (PaO2/FiO2)	In both groups, after the treatment period was completed (first 5 days, primary endpoint), patients were followed up for 5 more days (follow-up period). PaO2/FiO2 ratios at the end of 6th (FD1), 8th (FD3) and 10th day (FD5) were also recorded. The end of the 10th day was accepted as the secondary endpoint. While the change in PaO2/FiO2 ratios on the 6th, 8th and 10th days was calculated graphically, the change in the PaO2/FiO2 ratio at the end of the 10th day (secondary endpoint) with the baseline ratio was compared statistically (the results were given as p value).	From 6th to the end of 10th day
Changes in Serum Lymphocyte Counts	In both groups, after the treatment period was completed (first 5 days, primary endpoint), patients were followed up for 5 more days (follow-up period). Serum lymphocyte counts (cell/mm^3) at the end of 6th (FD1), 8th (FD3) and 10th day (FD5) were also recorded. The end of the 10th day was accepted as the secondary endpoint. While the change in serum lymphocyte counts on the 6th, 8th and 10th days was calculated graphically, the change in the serum lymphocyte count at the end of the 10th day (secondary endpoint) with the baseline value was compared statistically (the results were given as p value).	From 6th to the end of 10th day
Changes in the Ratio of Polymorphonuclear Leukocyte Count to Lymphocyte Count (PNL/L)	In both groups, after the treatment period was completed (first 5 days, primary endpoint), patients were followed up for 5 more days (follow-up period). PNL/L ratios at the end of 6th (FD1), 8th (FD3) and 10th day (FD5) were also recorded. The end of the 10th day was accepted as the secondary endpoint. While the change in PNL/L ratios on the 6th, 8th and 10th days was calculated graphically, the change in the PNL/L ratio at the end of the 10th day (secondary endpoint) with the baseline value was compared statistically (the results were given as p value).	From 6th to the end of 10th day
Changes in Serum Ferritin Levels	In both groups, after the treatment period was completed (first 5 days, primary endpoint), patients were followed up for 5 more days (follow-up period). Serum ferritin levels (mg/dL) at the end of 6th (FD1), 8th (FD3) and 10th day (FD5) were also recorded. The end of the 10th day was accepted as the secondary endpoint. While the change in serum ferritin levels on the 6th, 8th and 10th days was calculated graphically, the change in the serum ferritin level at the end of the 10th day (secondary endpoint) with the baseline value was compared statistically (the results were given as p value).	From 6th to the end of 10th day
Changes in Serum D-dimer Levels	In both groups, after the treatment period was completed (first 5 days, primary endpoint), patients were followed up for 5 more days (follow-up period). Serum D-dimer levels (mg/L) at the end of 6th (FD1), 8th (FD3) and 10th day (FD5) were also recorded. The end of the 10th day was accepted as the secondary endpoint. While the change in Serum D-dimer levels on the 6th, 8th and 10th days was calculated graphically, the change in the serum D-dimer level at the end of the 10th day (secondary endpoint) with the baseline value was compared statistically (the results were given as p value).	From 6th to the end of 10th day
Rate of COVID-19 Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) Test Negativity	At the end of the follow-up period (10th day), patients in the study and control group were investigated by PCR test for SARS-CoV-2 and the negative results were recorded as percentage for both groups.	At the end of 10th day
Treatment-Related Adverse Events as Assessed by CTCAE v4.0	Adverse effects of ivermectin and drugs other than ivermectin (Hydroxychloroquine, favipiravir, azithromycin) were evaluated in the patients in the study group and and the number of participants were noted. Adverse effects of drugs other than ivermectin (Hydroxychloroquine, favipiravir, azithromycin) were evaluated in the patients in the control group and and the number of participants were noted.	From the 6th day of study to the 10th day of study

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Afyonkarahisar Health Sciences University
• Collaborators: NeuTec Pharma
• Investigators: Study Chair: Nurullah Okumuş, Prof. Dr., Afyonkarahisar Health Science University, Afyonkarahisar, Turkey; Study Director: Neşe Demirtürk, A. Prof. Dr., Afyonkarahisar Health Science University, Afyonkarahisar, Turkey; Study Director: Rıza A. Çetinkaya, Prof. Dr., Haydarpasa Sultan Abdulhamid Han Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey; Study Director: Rahmet Güner, Prof. Dr., Yıldırım Beyazıt University, Ankara City Hospital, Ankara, Turkey; Study Director: İsmail Y. Avcı, Gulhane Faculty of Medicine, University of Health Sciences, Ankara, Turkey

Publications and helpful links

General Publications

• Guan WJ, Ni ZY, Hu Y, Liang WH, Ou CQ, He JX, Liu L, Shan H, Lei CL, Hui DSC, Du B, Li LJ, Zeng G, Yuen KY, Chen RC, Tang CL, Wang T, Chen PY, Xiang J, Li SY, Wang JL, Liang ZJ, Peng YX, Wei L, Liu Y, Hu YH, Peng P, Wang JM, Liu JY, Chen Z, Li G, Zheng ZJ, Qiu SQ, Luo J, Ye CJ, Zhu SY, Zhong NS; China Medical Treatment Expert Group for Covid-19. Clinical Characteristics of Coronavirus Disease 2019 in China. N Engl J Med. 2020 Apr 30;382(18):1708-1720. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa2002032. Epub 2020 Feb 28.
• Caly L, Druce JD, Catton MG, Jans DA, Wagstaff KM. The FDA-approved drug ivermectin inhibits the replication of SARS-CoV-2 in vitro. Antiviral Res. 2020 Jun;178:104787. doi: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2020.104787. Epub 2020 Apr 3.
• Jean SS, Lee PI, Hsueh PR. Treatment options for COVID-19: The reality and challenges. J Microbiol Immunol Infect. 2020 Jun;53(3):436-443. doi: 10.1016/j.jmii.2020.03.034. Epub 2020 Apr 4.
• Croci R, Bottaro E, Chan KW, Watanabe S, Pezzullo M, Mastrangelo E, Nastruzzi C. Liposomal Systems as Nanocarriers for the Antiviral Agent Ivermectin. Int J Biomater. 2016;2016:8043983. doi: 10.1155/2016/8043983. Epub 2016 May 8.
• Heidary F, Gharebaghi R. Ivermectin: a systematic review from antiviral effects to COVID-19 complementary regimen. J Antibiot (Tokyo). 2020 Sep;73(9):593-602. doi: 10.1038/s41429-020-0336-z. Epub 2020 Jun 12.

Helpful Links

• World Health Organization (WHO) Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Dashboard

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): May 11, 2020
• Primary Completion (Actual): September 2, 2020
• Study Completion (Actual): September 2, 2020

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: November 15, 2020
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: November 25, 2020
• First Posted (Actual): November 27, 2020

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): January 27, 2021
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: January 25, 2021
• Last Verified: January 1, 2021

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: SARS-CoV-2; Treatment; Ivermectin
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Coronavirus Infections; Coronaviridae Infections; Nidovirales Infections; RNA Virus Infections; Virus Diseases; Infections; Respiratory Tract Infections; Respiratory Tract Diseases; Pneumonia, Viral; Pneumonia; Lung Diseases; COVID-19; Molecular Mechanisms of Pharmacological Action; Anti-Infective Agents; Antiviral Agents; Enzyme Inhibitors; Antirheumatic Agents; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Antiprotozoal Agents; Antiparasitic Agents; Antimalarials; Favipiravir; Azithromycin; Ivermectin; Hydroxychloroquine
• Other Study ID Numbers: IVMC_03

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: No

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No
• product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.: No