City-wide use of Ivermectin lowered COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and deaths in Itajaí, Brazil

This article highlights the results of the preprint research showing the effectiveness of Ivermectin against COVID-19.[1]

Itajaí, a city in the Southern Brazilian state of Santa Catarina, initiated a population-wide government program for COVID-19 prophylaxis from July 2020 to December 2020.

Population studied

A total of 133,051 of these people (60.3% of the population) received Ivermectin before being infected by COVID-19. The people freely chose to take Ivermectin or not.

87,466 people (39.7 %) did not receive or did not want to receive the Ivermectin during the program, including its use for prophylactic, outpatient, inpatient therapeutical purposes, or after having COVID-19.

Ivermectin Dose

Volunteers took Ivermectin for two days every 15 days at a dose of 0.2mg/kg/day. i.e., giving one 6 mg tablet for every 30kg. 

Results

7% reduction in COVID-19 infection rate with the use of Ivermectin

COVID-19 infection occurred in:

• • 4,311 (3.2%) treated subjects
  • 3,034 (3.5%) non-treated subjects

42% Reduction in hospitalization rate with ivermectin use

• Of the 4,311 ivermectin users, there were 105 hospitalizations (2.43% hospitalization rate)
• Among the 3,034 ivermectin non-users, there were 127 hospitalizations (4.18% hospitalization rate)

48% reduction in mortality rate with ivermectin use

• A total of 62 deaths (1.4% mortality rate) occurred among users
• 79 deaths (2.6% mortality rate) among non-users 

Reduction of the COVID-19 Death rate among groups with ivermectin use

• Overall 45%
• <30 years old – 68%
• 30-50 years old – 85%
• >50 years old – 59%
• Females – 50%
• Males – 40%
• With Type 2 diabetes – 71%, without T2D 42%
• With Hypertension – 67%, Without Hypertension 39%
• With cardiovascular disease 45%, without CVD, 44%

Greater reduction of COVID-19 death risk with Ivermectin in those with comorbidities:

1. Type 2 diabetes T2D
   • 71% reduction among subjects with T2D
   • 42% reduction among subjects without T2D
2. Hypertension
   • 67% reduction in the COVID-19 death rate among subjects with hypertension
   • 39% reduction among subjects without Hypertension
3. Asthma
   • 70% reduction in the COVID-19 death rate among subjects with asthma
   • 45% reduction among subjects without asthma
4. History of Myocardial Infarction
   • 86% reduction among subjects with a history of MI
   • 44% reduction among subjects without a history of MI

Overall, non-ivermectin users were two times more likely to die from COVID-19 than subjects using Ivermectin regularly. Ivermectin users were 7% less likely to be infected with SARS-CoV-2. 

City-level results

Covid-19 hospitalization 

• Before ivermectin – 6.8%
• With ivermectin – 1.8% – (73% reduction)

Covid-19 mortality rate

• Before ivermectin 3.4%
• With ivermectin – 1.4% – (59% reduction)

Anti-covid-19 Effects of ivermectin

• Ivermectin has antiviral properties. [2][3][4][5]
• Ivermectin prevents the lack of oxygen in the tissues and can suppress mucus secretion.[7]
• It prevents a hyperimmune response typically seen in severe COVID-19 by decreasing the recruitment of immune cells and pro-inflammatory cytokine production in the lungs.[6][7]
• Ivermectin has anticoagulant action and prevents blood clot formation assuring oxygen delivery to all organs.[8]

Recommendation by the authors

Due to the well-established, long-term safety profile of ivermectin, with rare adverse effects, the absence of proven therapeutic options to prevent death caused by COVID-19, and lack of effectiveness of vaccines in real-life analyses to date, we recommend that ivermectin be considered as a preventive strategy, in particular for those at higher risk of complications from COVID-19, and professionals above 30 y/o highly exposed to the virus, including healthcare workers, airport staff, salespeople, taxi and application car drivers and other professionals that deal directly with a large number of costumers and clients.

Take away message

The study by Kerr et al. is the most extensive research showing the effectiveness of Ivermectin against COVID-19 prevention, hospitalization, and mortality.

In times of epidemics and the risk of antibody-dependent enhancement from new variants, a robust immune system and  Ivermectin should be at the forefront of everyone’s mind.

 

Don’t Get Sick!

Knowledge about Covid-19 is rapidly evolving. Stay current by subscribing. Feel free to share and like.

If you find value in the articles, please consider donating to show your support.

 

You may like:

1. The rise and rapid decline of 3 COVID vaccines’ effectiveness against severe disease and deaths
2. What makes Ivermectin a kick-ass antiviral?
3. IVMMETA.COM: A website of studies on Ivermectin’s efficacy
4. Ivermectin vs Remdesivir for COVID-19
5. Solved! The Ivermectin African Enigma
6. How to get Ivermectin
7. Ordering Ivermectin Internationally
8. News that ivermectin overdose is clogging up hospitals is not true
9. Is Ivermectin in the Bible?
10. Ivermectin is effective against the Influenza and a Cold Virus In Vitro
11. Five Mechanisms of Antibody-Dependent Enhancement
12. What is Antibody-Dependent Enhancement, and why should you care.
13. Antibody-dependent enhancement can happen to Delta Variant COVID-19
14. Antibody-Dependent Enhancement in Breastfed Infants
15. Antibodies to the Flu and COVID-19 Cross-React

References:

1. Flávio, Cadegiani & Baldi, Fernando & Lôbo, Raysildo & Luiz, Washington & Assagra, Olivato & Carlos, Fernando & Proença, & Hibberd, Jennifer & Chamie, Juan & Cadegiani, Flávio. (2021). Ivermectin prophylaxis used for COVID-19 reduces COVID-19 infection and mortality rates: A 220,517-subject, populational-level retrospective citywide.
2. Zaidi AK, Dehgani-Mobaraki P. The mechanisms of action of Ivermectin against
   SARS-CoV-2: An evidence-based clinical review article. J Antibiot (Tokyo).
   2021 Jun 15:1-13. doi: 10.1038/s41429-021-00430-5
3. 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.
4. Li N, Zhao L, Zhan X. Quantitative proteomics reveals a broadspectrum antiviral
   property of Ivermectin, benefiting COVID19 treatment. J Cell Physiol. 2020.
5. Wagstaff, K.M. et al. (2012) Ivermectin is a specific inhibitor of importin α/β-
   mediated nuclear import able to inhibit replication of HIV-1 and dengue virus.
   Biochem. J. 443, 851–856
6. Ci X, Li H, Yu Q, Zhang X, Yu L, Chen N, Song Y, Deng X. Avermectin exerts
   anti-inflammatory effect by downregulating the nuclear transcription factor
   kappa-B and mitogen-activated protein kinase activation pathway. Fundam Clin
   Pharmacol. 2009 Aug;23(4):449-55. doi: 10.1111/j.1472-8206.2009.00684.x.
7. Yan S, Ci X, Chen N. Anti-Inflammatory effects of Ivermectin in mouse model
   of allergic asthma. Inflamm Res. 2011;60:589–96. Fundam Clin Pharm.
   2009;23:449–55.
8. Scheim DE.Ivermectin for COVID 19 treatment Clinical response at quasi-
   threshold doses via hypothesized alleviation of CD147 mediated vascular
   occlusive (June 2020) SS RN:https://SSRN.com/abstract=3636557.

© 2018 – 2021 Asclepiades Medicine, L.L.C. All Rights Reserved
DrJesseSantiano.com does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.