Explained: How head lice drug Ivermectin could cure COVID-19

While countries across the world are leaning on Hydrochloroquine, an anti-malarial drug to cure COVID-19, some researchers in Australia might have found another way out.

Few scientists testing head lice drug Ivermectin in Monash University’s Biomedicine Discovery Institute (BDI) and the Peter Doherty Institute of Infection and Immunity (Doherty Institute) found that Ivermectin could be possible treatment to kill SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, Indian Express reported.

Dr. Kylie Wagstaff, who led the study, says a single dose could remove all viral RNA within 48 hours. The drug which is on the initial stages on testing, is yet to tested on COVID-19 patients.

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How can Ivermectin cure COVID-19?

The drug prevents the replication of SARS-CoV-2. When tested, the virus came to a rest within 24-48 hours after it was exposed to Ivermectin. Levels of the virus declined by 99.8% in 48 hours and completely within three days. Researchers also say that there was even a significant reduction within 24 hours.

The drug helps in stopping the processes that allow proteins to move within the virus.

It has also been proven that Ivermectin tackles other viruses such as HIV, dengue, influenza and Zika replicating, at least in the laboratory.

Ivermectin was developed as a veterinary drug in the 1970s but is now used to treat head lice. It is also effective against parasites that cause other infections.

Another interesting thing to note is, Ivermectin has already been approved by the World Health Organization as an “essential medicine.”

This drug, however, should not be used on COVID-19 patients until further testing is done.