Management of Patients who Tested Positive for COVID-19 Infection through the Effect of Ivermectin Addition: Delta State in Focus

Abstract

The study examined a two-year pilot experiment undertaken in Delta State to determine the impact of incorporating ivermectin into the routine treatment regimen of patients with COVID-19 infection. The rationale is to explore the impact of adding 12 mg ivermectin on the recovery process of COVID-19 positive patients, as well as the combination of ivermectin with other COVID-19 medications. The research is an experimental evaluation to determine the efficacy of ivermectin in conjunction with other COVID-19 therapy methods. The study was conducted between 2020 and 2022 at three hospitals that gained official approval, especially the Federal Medical Centre Asaba, which is located in one of Delta State's three senatorial districts. Before beginning the investigation, the Board of Ethics gained ethical permission. Using a single-blind randomized approach, the patients were divided into two groups, namely the 'Study Group' and the 'Control Group.' Subjects with even numerical values were assigned to the study group, while those with odd numerical values were assigned to the control group. All participants were given informed consent before to participation in the trial, and eligible patients were subjected to a standardized symptom questionnaire and physical assessment utilizing the informed consent supplied. A complete blood count, thoracic tomography scan, biochemical blood analysis, and the initial SARSCOV-2 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) result were also recorded. The trial includes 72 patients, with 40 assigned to the study group and 32 assigned to the control group. Due to a mutation that affects ivermectin metabolism, 12 subjects were excluded from the study. In the study, 60% of the participants were men and 40% were women. Both patients in the trial and control groups who were COVID-19 positive received the reference therapies suggested by the National Disease Control Centre (NDCC). Patients in the study group were given ivermectin medication in the form of a 12 mg tablet orally for 5 days. Patients' respiratory observations and laboratory measurements were reported on the  first, third, and fifth days of therapy, as well as the first, third, and fifth days following treatment and during the follow-up period. They demonstrated an early therapeutic response, lending credence to the idea that ivermectin at a dose of 12mg daily for 5 days, alone or in combination with the current standard regimen, could be evaluated as a possible treatment option for COVID-19 infection and in patients with co-morbidities. In the study, no significant adverse reactions were seen in the cohort of patients given ivermectin 12 mg versus those who got normal convectional treatment. Pharmacokinetic studies also revealed that ivermectin 12 mg was safe and well tolerated in the study group's participants. The study concluded that Invertmetic, when gradually administered to patients, improves COVID-19 recovery, and the study recommended that medical practitioners incorporate and adopt up to 3mg inclusive addiction patients because it has positive health benefits and a positive influence on recovery.