Effectiveness and Toxicity of Ivermectin for the Management of COVID-19: A Meta-Analysis

Ivermectin was recently suggested as a possible COVID-19 therapy, yet its clinical efficacy and safety remain controversial. This meta-analysis systematically reviews studies from the key databases of PubMed, Elsevier, Scopus, and Web of Science using the Boolean operator to effect of ivermectin on various COVID outcomes including symptom reduction, mortality, and side effects. Relevant studies’ data were included and assessed with a random-effects classicalapproximatingStandardized Mean Difference (SMD). We created forest plots to visualize the treatment effect based on several levels of COVID severity and dose and produced funnel plots to assess publication bias. The findings indicate that ivermectin does not provide a significant clinical benefit compared to standard care. Furthermore, the ivermectin group exhibited a higher incidence of adverse effects, raising safety concerns. Current evidence does not support the use of ivermectin as a primary therapy for COVID-19. Well-designed, rigorously controlled studies are essential to identify safer and more effective treatment options.