Intranasal Ivermectin Spray, the Sunscreen to COVID-19

Abstract

Throughout the battle against SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19), various medications have been repurposed in hopes of finding a successful treatment modality to combat the global pandemic. One medication that has recently begun to show promising advancement in clinical trials is the well-known anti-parasitic medication, ivermectin. In this review, we delve into ivermectin and its use as a therapeutic agent against COVID-19. The foundation of how ivermectin treats COVID-19 lies in its ability to inhibit the viral replication process. After assessing the mechanism, pharmacokinetic properties, and current uses of ivermectin, we hypothesized that administering ivermectin intranasally would best capitalize on the inhibitory qualities while avoiding dangerous dosages that would be achieved with oral treatment. Therefore, we propose early use of ivermectin to limit viral replication and severity, as well as prophylactic administration of ivermectin to protect those in high-exposure environments.