Nashville, Tennessee (WTVF) — Vanderbilt University is studying ivermectin, a drug to treat parasitic infections, as a possible treatment for COVID-19.
Throughout the pandemic, hundreds of people across the country went to tractor supply stores to buy ivermectin for use in animals to treat COVID-19. Doctors advise against taking this medicine to treat COVID-19 because it is dangerous. Humans require different dosages than animals and may have serious side effects.
Dr. Parul Goyal, Assistant Professor of Medicine at Vanderbilt, said: "In many European and Asian countries, Ivermectin is often used to treat parasitic infections and COVID-19. However, it is currently not regulated in the United States."
Vanderbilt is participating in a national study on several treatment methods. In addition to ivermectin, they are also studying fluticasone, an allergy nasal spray commonly called Flonase, and fluvoxamine. Goyal said: "This is an older antidepressant that has been around for a long time."
According to the National Institutes of Health, fluvoxamine may have anti-inflammatory effects.
Beth Winslow was vaccinated and given a booster shot, but was still infected with COVID-19. She decided to participate in this study during isolation. "One or two days, like which one do I want to get? It's kind of like Christmas," Winslow said.
She took ivermectin or placebo pills. Then, she wrote down her symptoms in the diary every day. Researchers will compare people who take ivermectin with people who take no pills. "My hope is that we can help others without suffering," Winslow said.
The research was done remotely. "If you can give up a few minutes, why not?" Winslow said.
Researchers are looking for people who have tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 10 days and have at least two symptoms. In addition, participants must be at least 30 years old. The details are here.
Goyal said: "This will really help us advance science and our understanding of COVID-19." "Patients will be in a monitored environment."
If you are sick now or have COVID-19 on Thanksgiving and want to register, you can call 615-343-8010 or send an email to vcc@vumc.org.