The FDA-approved drug ivermectin inhibits the replication of SARS-CoV-2 in vitro

Antiviral Res. 2020 Jun:178:104787. doi: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2020.104787. Epub 2020 Apr 3.

Abstract

Although several clinical trials are now underway to test possible therapies, the worldwide response to the COVID-19 outbreak has been largely limited to monitoring/containment. We report here that Ivermectin, an FDA-approved anti-parasitic previously shown to have broad-spectrum anti-viral activity in vitro, is an inhibitor of the causative virus (SARS-CoV-2), with a single addition to Vero-hSLAM cells 2 h post infection with SARS-CoV-2 able to effect ~5000-fold reduction in viral RNA at 48 h. Ivermectin therefore warrants further investigation for possible benefits in humans.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antiviral Agents / pharmacology*
  • Australia
  • Betacoronavirus / drug effects*
  • Betacoronavirus / physiology
  • COVID-19
  • Chlorocebus aethiops
  • Coronavirus Infections / drug therapy
  • Coronavirus Infections / virology*
  • Drug Approval*
  • Humans
  • Ivermectin / pharmacology*
  • Ivermectin / therapeutic use*
  • Pandemics
  • Pneumonia, Viral / drug therapy
  • Pneumonia, Viral / virology*
  • SARS-CoV-2
  • Vero Cells
  • Virus Replication / drug effects*

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents
  • Ivermectin