Effectiveness of ivermectin for COVID-19: A systematic review.

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of ivermectin in the prevention and treatment of COVID-19. METHODS: This is a systematic review of randomized clinical trials. We searched the electronic databases PubMed (1966-2021), EMBASE (1974-2021) and Clinical Trials (2021) and two evidence megabusers: Turning Research Into Practice (TRIP) database (2021) and Epstemonikos (2021). There was no geographic or language restriction, using DeCS descriptors and terms (Health Sciences Descriptors). The synthesis method involved the combination of similar studies in a narrative review. RESULTS: 463 citations were identified, and 2 studies were included, following the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Both studies showed very low quality and reduced sampling. CONCLUSION: The studies completed and published to date do not support the use of ivermectin in the prevention or treatment of COVID-19. It is suggested to carry out new quality clinical trials to elucidate the issue. DESCRIPTORS:  Coronavirus infections, Pneumonia, Ivermectin, COVID-19, Systematic review. RESUMO OBJETIVO:  Avaliar a eficacia e seguranca da ivermectina na prevencao e tratamento da COVID-19. METODO: Trata-se de revisao sistematica de ensaios clinicos randomizados. Procedeu-se a busca nas bases eletronicas de dados PubMed (1966-2021), EMBASE (1974-2021) e Clinical Trials (2021) e em dois megabuscadores de evidencias: Turning Research Into Practice (TRIP) database (2021) e Epstemonikos (2021). Nao houve restricao geografica e de idioma, sendo utilizados descritores e termos do DeCS (Descritores em Ciencias da Saude). O metodo de sintese envolveu a combinacao de estudos semelhantes em uma revisao narrativa. RESULTADOS: Foram identificadas 463 citacoes e 2 estudos foram incluidos, seguindo os criterios de inclusao e exclusao. Ambos os estudos apresentaram muito baixa qualidade e reduzida amostragem. CONCLUSAO: Os estudos concluidos e publicados ate o momento nao suportam o uso da ivermectina na prevencao ou tratamento COVID-19. Sugere-se a realizacao de novos ensaios clinicos de qualidade para elucidacao da questao. DESCRITORES: Infeccoes por coronavirus, Pneumonia, Ivermectina, COVID-19, Revisao sistematica.