Ivermectin is an antiparasitic medication primarily used to treat infections caused by certain parasites, such as river blindness and intestinal strongyloidiasis. It gained widespread attention during the COVID-19 pandemic, though its efficacy against the virus remains unproven and controversial, with health authorities cautioning against its use for COVID-19 treatment outside of clinical trials.

Ivermectin

Antiparasitic medications are drugs designed to treat infections caused by parasites, including protozoa, helminths, and ectoparasites, by either killing the parasite or inhibiting its growth. These medications are crucial in controlling and eradicating parasitic diseases, which are a significant health burden in many parts of the world, especially in tropical and subtropical regions.

Antiparasitic Medication

Infections caused by parasites

River blindness, or onchocerciasis, is a neglected tropical disease caused by the parasitic worm Onchocerca volvulus, transmitted through the bites of infected blackflies. It leads to severe itching, skin discoloration, and can cause irreversible blindness, primarily affecting communities near fast-flowing rivers in sub-Saharan Africa and parts of Latin America and Yemen.

River Blindness

Intestinal strongyloidiasis

COVID-19 Pandemic

Efficacy against the virus

Health authorities

Use for COVID-19 treatment

Clinical trials are research studies performed on human participants to evaluate the safety, efficacy, and optimal use of medical interventions, such as drugs, devices, or treatment protocols. They are conducted in phases, each with specific goals, to ensure that the intervention is both effective and safe for widespread use.

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