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COVID-19: icddr,b begins clinical trial of Ivermectin-doxycycline

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Update: 2020-06-17 23:46:11
COVID-19: icddr,b begins clinical trial of Ivermectin-doxycycline

DHAKA: International health research organisation icddr,b has started clinical trial of anti-parasitic medicine Ivermectin in combination with antibiotic doxycycline or Ivermectin alone in treating coronavirus (COVID-19) patients.

The trial will be conducted on 72 patients undergoing treatment in four COVID-19 hospitals in Dhaka, icddr,b said on Wednesday.

The study has initially commenced with Kurmitola General Hospital and Mugda Medical College and Hospital while discussions with others underway.

Dr Wasif Ali Khan, Senior Physician Scientist of Enteric and Respiratory Diseases at icddr,b is the principal investigator of the study.

He said: “Due to the rapid replication of this virus we need to find effective antiviral drugs against SARS-CoV-2 virus. Unfortunately, we do not have any such drugs for coronavirus and it may take decades to develop new ones. Therefore, we have to explore existing drugs, which are affordable and have a low side effect and can save lives.”

A panel of international and local experts are involved with this clinical trial.

The objective of the study is to understand the virological clearance rate and days required for remission of fever and cough by using Ivermectin with or without doxycycline.

It will also try to understand the changes in oxygen requirement, reasons for patients failing to maintain oxygen saturation (SpO2) above 88% despite oxygenation, changes in number of days on oxygen support and hospitalisation, and causes of mortality.

Ivermectin is a drug for parasitic infections which has been in use since 1980 and approved by the Food and Drug Administration, USA.

The drug has recently gained huge attention as a potential treatment for the new coronavirus, and a number of clinical trials are underway to see its efficacy in COVID-19.

While Ivermectin is very affordable drug and considered safe for most people, it can cause side effects including skin rash, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, stomach pain, facial or limb swelling, neurologic adverse events (dizziness, seizures, confusion), and sudden drop in blood pressure in a small percentage of people.

The study is funded by Beximco Pharmaceuticals Ltd and is scheduled to end in two months.

BDST: 1945 HRS, JUN 17, 2020
SMS 

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