Antiparasitic Drug Identified That ‘Kills’ Coronavirus in Laboratory Tests in 48hs

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – A joint study by the Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and the Peter Doherty Institute of Infection and Immunity in Australia identified an antiparasitic drug – Ivermectin – capable of ‘killing’ Covid-19 in laboratory tests within 48 hours.

Kylie Wagstaff, one of the study’s investigators, however, stressed in a statement to the Australian newspaper The Canberra Times that the correct dosage of Ivermectin to be administered in humans still requires further investigation before it can be said to cure the infection.

“We found that even a single dose could essentially remove all viral RNA within 48 hours, and that even within 24 hours, there could be a truly significant reduction,” she said.

“At a time when we have a global pandemic and there is no approved treatment, if we had a compound that was already available around the world, that could help people earlier,” she added.

Kylie Wagstaff, however, left a warning: “Realistically, it will take some time for a vaccine to be widely available”.

Ivermectin has been used around the world for years as a treatment for a range of conditions including head lice and scabies, and it is available as a pill, lotion and shampoo.

While today praising the work of the researchers involved in the study, Victoria Province Health Minister Jenny Mikakos urged people not to misuse the substance.

“There is no reason to be buying lice treatment unless you’re going to be using it on your children’s hair,” Ms Mikakos said during a press conference updating residents on the coronavirus pandemic.

“I just want to stress that because we’ve heard about people overseas who have heard about potential developments and then have ingested drugs that have been used in a completely inappropriate way and have died as a result.

“I don’t want to see people rushing out to their pharmacies or their supermarkets buying lice treatments now because scientists are doing this work.

Ms Mikakos also expressed concern people might hoard the drug, leaving none for people who needed it for proven uses — something which had happened with other medications.

Access the study here.