ivermectin, an anti-parasite drug, does not prevent severe COVID-19 symptoms.The study was published in the journal JAMA Internal Medicine Friday.For the study, Malaysian researchers enrolled 490 patients with mild to moderate illness at 20 hospitals and a COVID-19 quarantine center in Malaysia.
The study took place from May 31 to October 25, 2021.All patients received standard care, but half the patients were treated with ivermectin for five days. RELATED: Ohio hospital ordered to treat COVID-19 patient with ivermectin despite FDA warningAccording to the study, 21.6% of the patients given ivermectin developed a severe illness compared to 17.3% of those who received only standard care and also developed a severe illness, the researchers said.Severe illness was defined as patients who needed supplemental oxygen. "In this randomized clinical trial of high-risk patients with mild to moderate COVID-19, ivermectin treatment during early illness did not prevent progression to severe disease," the study’s authors noted.At least two dozen lawsuits have been filed around the U.S., many in recent weeks, by people seeking to force hospitals to give their COVID-stricken loved ones ivermectin, a drug for parasites that has been promoted by conservative commentators as a treatment despite a lack of conclusive evidence that it helps people with the virus.RELATED: CDC sees ‘rapid increase’ of severe illnesses from ivermectin use for COVID-19Interest in the drug started rising toward the end of last year and the beginning of this one, when studies — some later withdrawn, in other countries — seemed to suggest ivermectin had some potential and it became a hot topic of conversation among conservatives on social media.The lawsuits, several.