University of Missouri School of Medicine studies effectiveness of Ivermectin and other drugs in mild COVID-19 cases

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The University of Missouri School of Medicine Department of Emergency Medicine is participating in a national clinical study of three repurposed medications -- ivermectin, fluticasone and fluvoxamine. The study will look at the effectiveness of these medications in treating mild to moderate cases of COVID-19.

The study, titled “The Randomized Trial to Evaluate Efficacy of Repurposed Medications,” will look at how medicines already approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for other purposes react in people diagnosed with COVID. Dr. Matthew Robinson, principal investigator and chair of the Department of Emergency Medicine said the goal is to find safe and effective treatments for COVID.

“There currently are no approved prescription medications that can be given easily at home to treat mild-to-moderate COVID early in its course to prevent worsening of symptoms and reduce the need for hospitalization," Robinson said.

Participants in the study must be 30 years and anyone in the United States can participate by enrolling online.

“We know the need for outpatient treatment will continue to grow as we see more cases, so this is a vital public health need,” Robinson said. 

Ivermectin has received both criticism and praise for its treatment against COVID. Lake Ozark Mayor Dennis Newberry posted on Facebook in August that he would take ivermectin to his friend in the hospital. The post has since been deleted.

In the same month, the FDA released a warning saying, "You are not a horse. You are not a cow. Seriously, y'all. Stop it."