Essentia Duluth Testing Ivermectin and Other Meds for COVID Treatments

Essentia Health announced today that they are taking part in a nationwide study that will test repurposed medication to treat COVID-19.

The three medications that will be looked at in the ACTIV-6 study are already approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and is open to anyone ages 30 and up, have had a positive COVID-19 test in the past 10 days, and have at least two symptoms of the illness for seven days or less.

The drugs being tested in the study include:

• Fluticasone is an inhaled steroid commonly prescribed for asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
• Fluvoxamine is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor that is often prescribed for depression.
• Ivermectin, used to treat parasitic infections.

Ivermectin is the widely controversial drug used by some to try and treat COVID and is commonly referred to as 'Horse Dewormer' by many, yes that is one of the many uses of this drug, but now science is taking a serious look at it and testing its effectiveness against COVID.

Infectious disease physician at Essentia Health Dr. Rajesh Prabhu says, “If enough people diagnosed with COVID-19 participate in this study, we can answer quickly whether these medications will be beneficial in treating mild-to-moderate COVID. The aim of the study is to see if these medications make you feel better sooner and prevent hospitalization.”

The double-blind study is hoping to get 15,000 people enrolled and evaluated for treatment. If chosen, participants will be provided and shipped the medication at no charge and must keep track of symptoms over 90 days using an online survey. No visits or doctor appointments are necessary.

Essentia Health says in a press release that they will "enroll and monitor patients’ progress throughout the study’s 90-day follow-up period and will assist them with any or questions or concerns that arise."

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