Ivermectin as a potential COVID-19 treatment from the pharmacokinetic point of view

Georgi Momekov; Denitsa Momekova

The analyzed data show that at least at the clinically relevant dose ranges of ivermectin the published in vitro inhibitory concentrations and especially the 5 µmol/L level causing almost total disappearance of viral RNA are virtually not achievable with the heretofore known dosing regimens in humans. The 5 µmol/L concentration is over 50 times higher than the levels obtainable after 700 µg/kg 17 and 17 times higher vs. the largest C max found in the literature survey (247.8 ng/ml) 12 . Moreover the authors` claim for achieving viral inhibition with a single dose is inappropriate because practically the infected cells have been continuously exposed at concentrations that are virtually unattainable even with excessive dosing of the drug. With other words the experimental design is based on clinically irrelevant drug levels with inhibitory concentrations whose targeting in a clinical trial seems doubtful at best. All rights reserved. No reuse allowed without permission.