One good thing about being two years into a pandemic? We have a definitive list of COVID-19 treatments that work and ones that don't.
 |  | By Anisa Arsenault, Associate Editorial Director | | | One good thing about being two years into a pandemic? We have a definitive list of COVID-19 treatments that work and ones that don't. | | | Today's Top Story | | Ivermectin Won't Keep You Out of the Hospital |  | A little misinformation can go a long way. That's the best way to explain how a 2020 study showing ivermectin could reduce COVID-19 viral load in test tubes escalated into people overdosing on horse dewormers.
Since then, several studies have been exploring whether ivermectin—the human version—is capable of preventing or treating COVID-19. And several studies have been retracted along the way. But as of March 30, the largest clinical trial on ivermectin shows that the drug cannot prevent hospitalization, even if started within seven days of symptom onset.
To conduct the study, researchers in Brazil gave 679 adults with symptomatic COVID-19 ivermectin for three days. Another 679 participants with COVID received a placebo. Within the month, 211 patients were admitted to the hospital or went to an emergency room because of worsening COVID symptoms. One hundred (14.7%) were in the ivermectin group and 111 (16.3%) in the placebo group—a statistically insignificant difference. | | Know More | | This is not the last we'll hear of ivermectin. There are several other large, randomized trials of ivermectin for COVID-19 that are still underway. | | Feel Better | | The researchers behind the study hope this new finding will encourage people to turn to COVID prevention and treatment methods that are safe, proven, and authorized instead. | | |  | | Could an Antidepressant Treat COVID? | | The same ongoing clinical trial that just debunked ivermectin is exploring other COVID-19 treatment options, too. In the fall, researchers from the TOGETHER trial determined that Luvo (fluvoxamine), which is FDA-approved for obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and depression, may help keep COVID-19 patients out of the hospital. They're just not sure how it does this. One hypothesis is that the drug may bind to a receptor in the body, which prevents the overactive immune response associated with severe COVID cases. Still, Luvo is not authorized fo COVID-19 treatment at this time. | | | | How Do Merck and Pfizer's COVID Pills Compare? | | Two treatments that are FDA-authorized for mild COVID-19? Antiviral pills from Pfizer and Merck. Pfizer's Paxlovid (30 pills over the course of five days) appears to be much more effective, and is authorized for people 12 and older. Merck's molnupiravir (40 pills over the course of five days) is authorized for people 18 and older who cannot take other FDA-authorized treatments. A prescription is needed for both drugs, and you must be at high risk of developing a severe case of COVID to take them. | | | | | | | In Other News | | | ■ | Here's What's in the $10 Billion Covid-19 Aid Bill. CNN | | | | | ■ | Covid Cases Are Down. Unfortunately, Stomach Flu Outbreaks Are Up. NBC | | | | | ■ | Chemicals in Your Pet's Poop Might be Hazardous to Your Health. NYU Langone Health | | | | | | | |  |      | You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to the Verywell Health newsletter. If you wish to unsubscribe, please click here.
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