In-Hospital Receipt of Ivermectin Is Associated With No Benefit in Mortality, Disease Progression, or Length of Stay for Patients With Mild to Moderate COVID-19

Abstract

Background Use of the antiparasitic agent ivermectin as a potential treatment for early coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is not recommended, yet inpatient administration continues to be seen. Methods This was a retrospective analysis of more than 100,000 patients admitted to a large health system of community hospitals for COVID-19 to assess the association of ivermectin administration, either early in disease course or at higher severity, with mortality and disease progression (intensive care unit admission or use of mechanical ventilation). Propensity match analysis was used to account for covariates. Results Of the 122,002 patients hospitalized with COVID-19 included in this analysis, 1.1% (1380) received ivermectin while at mild to moderate severity (on room air or nasal cannula), and 0.2% (n = 293) received the drug while severe (noninvasive or mechanical ventilation). Among those who received it with mild to moderate severity, there was no effect on relative risk (RR) of mortality (RR, 1.01; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.802–1.27), intensive care unit admission (RR, 0.984; 95% CI, 0.865–1.12), or use of mechanical ventilation (RR, 0.976; 95% CI, 0.777–1.23), but an increase in average length of stay (mean days, 8.0 vs 7.5; P < 0.001). Of those who received their first dose of ivermectin with more severe COVID-19, there was an increase in the RR of mortality (RR, 1.63; 95% CI, 1.34–1.99; P < 0.001). Conclusion Among hospitalized patients admitted with mild to moderate COVID-19, in-hospital administration of ivermectin provides no benefit in mortality or disease progression when administered early in the disease course, and may contribute to excess mortality when administered to patients at more severe disease states.