PETALING JAYA: A clinical study conducted locally concluded that the anti-viral drug Ivermectin cannot be used in current Covid-19 treatment as it does not prevent severe cases of Covid-19, says the Health Ministry.

       The I-Tech study by the Institute of Clinical Research (ICR) revealed that those who had Ivermectin, experienced three times more adverse events with the most common adverse effect being diarrhoea, said Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah.

       In a statement on Wednesday, he said the study was conducted on 500 patients who had been hospitalised for Covid-19 in Stages Two or Three.

       “The I-Tech study was to see if Ivermectin administered during the first week of illness prevented deterioration to severe Covid-19 Stage Four or Five among hospitalised patients aged 50 years and above with at least one comorbidity.

       “They were randomly assigned to two groups, namely those who had five-day Ivermectin treatment (0.4mg/kg/day) with standard care and those who had only standard care,” he said.

       Dr Noor Hisham added that the data showed no difference in the rate of progression to the severe stages.

       According to the principal investigator of the I-Tech study, Dr Steven Lim Chee Loon who is an infectious disease specialist at Hospital Raja Permaisuri Bainun, Ipoh in Perak, there were no significant differences found in terms of ICU admission, mechanical ventilation, symptom recovery, blood parameters and chest x-ray resolution for those who were administered Ivermectin.

       “Based on the outcomes of the I-Tech study, Ivermectin cannot be recommended for inclusion in current Covid-19 treatment guidelines as Ivermectin does not reduce the risk of severe illness from Covid-19,” said Dr Noor Hisham.

       “The Health Ministry continues with prior advice that Ivermectin only be used within clinical trials settings with monitoring.

       “Until further supportive evidence becomes available, practitioners are cautioned not to recommend Ivermectin, including sharing illegal advertising or sale of Ivermectin for treatment of Covid-19,” he added.

       Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin also highlighted the results of the study in a tweet.