A Comparative Study on Ivermectin and Hydroxychloroquine on the COVID19 Patients in Bangladesh
A Comparative Study on Ivermectin and Hydroxychloroquine on the COVID19 Patients in Bangladesh
COVID19 is a worldwide pandemic. Hence SARS-CoV-2 is a novel virus; there is no specific
 medication against it. Like other countries of the world, Bangladesh is also struggling in
 the case of treatment of this disease. Besides antiviral drugs other existing drugs like
 Hydroxychloroquine, Chloroquine, and recently Ivermectin has been used for the treatment of
 mild to moderate cases of COVID19 disease. Till now Hydroxychloroquine has shown a good
 effect. Recently anti-parasitic drug Ivermectin was found highly effective in an in-vitro
 study against SARS-CoV-2. This study is aimed to evaluate the efficacy of Ivermectin and
 Hydroxychloroquine as a combination therapy with antibiotics (Doxycyclin and Azithromycin)
 and compare the recovery period of these two drugs applied as core monotherapy.
This study was done from May 2nd to June 5th, 2020. The investigators included 181 patients
 who were tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 infection by RT PCR presented and the sample
 collected at Chokoria Upazila Health Complex, Cox's Bazar; Bangladesh. The PCR analysis of
 the collected sample was done at Cox's Bazar Medical College. Each of the participants was
 examined carefully to find out the details of the disease symptoms, history, comorbid
 condition, and associated complaints. Patients with severe comorbid conditions like severe
 Bronchial asthma, COPD exacerbation, severe ischemic heart disease, uncontrolled diabetes
 mellitus, advanced renal and hepatic disease, carcinoma, hospitalized and Immuno-compromised
 patients were not included in this study. 42 patients had comorbid conditions (some required
 hospitalization) that might affect the recovery time; 14 patients were unwilling to
 participate in the study and 9 participants did not show-up (3 from group A and 6 from group
 B) for follow up sample collection so these were excluded. Following exclusion 116 patients
 were included with mild to moderate degree of illness with normal or near-normal chest
 radiograph and Oxygen Saturation more than 95% were included in this study. All the patients
 enrolled in the study were treated as an outpatient protocol.

 For the study Perouse the participants were divided into two groups as follows:

 Group A (n=60): Ivermectin 200µgm/kg single dose + Doxycycline 100mg BID for 10days.

 Group B (n=56): Hydroxychloroquine 400mg first day then 200mg BID for 9days + Azithromycin
 500mg daily for 5Days.

 Besides the above, symptomatic treatment for fever, headache, cough, myalgia, and other
 complaints were given accordingly. Participants were advised for self-isolation, proper
 nutrition, hydration, and a sanitary environment. Treatment outcomes were evaluated on every
 2days starting from the 5th day (Asymptomatic patients) or the 2nd non-symptomatic day from
 the first day of the drug intake by PCR study of nasopharyngeal and throat swab in each
 group. Regular contacts were maintained to find out the adverse or side effects of the
 therapy. Informed consent was obtained in every case.
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  COVID19 patients confirmed bt RT PCR at Chokoria Upazila Health Complex, Cox's Bazar;
 Bangladesh.

 -  Patients with mild to moderate degree of illness.

 -  Patients with normal or near-normal chest radiograph

 -  Patients with oxygen Saturation more than 94% who fit the outpatient treatment
 protocol.

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  Patients with severe uncontrolled comorbid conditions. (Bronchial asthma, COPD
 exacerbation, ischemic heart disease, uncontrolled diabetes mellitus, advanced renal
 and hepatic disease, carcinoma, hospitalized, Immuno-compromised patients)

 -  BMI>30

 -  Contraindication / possible drug interaction with Ivermectin and Hydroxychloroquine.