Efficacy of metformin, ivermectin, fluvoxamine for COVID-19

Editor's Note

This phase 3, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study led by researchers at the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, finds that none of three medications evaluated—metformin, ivermectin, or fluvoxamine—prevented the occurrence of a primary event—hypoxemia, an emergency department (ED) visit, hospitalization, or death—associated with COVID-19.

Of 1,323 patients analyzed, a primary event occurred in 333 of 1,305 (25.5%) patients with complete data. A total of 56% were female (6% were pregnant), and 52% had been vaccinated. All patients were overweight or obese.

The adjusted odds ratio (OR) for a primary composite was 0.84 with metformin, 1.05 with ivermectin, and 0.94 with fluvoxamine.

In a secondary analysis of ED visit, hospitalization, or death, the OR was 0.58 with metiformin, 1.39 with ivermectin, and 1.17 with fluvoxamine. For hospitalization or death, the OR was 0.47 with metiformin, 0.73 with ivermectin, and 1.11 with fluvoxamine.

Though the secondary analysis suggested a possible reduction in a composite endpoint of ED visit, hospitalization, or death with metformin, none of the drugs resulted in a lower severity of symptoms than identically matched placebos, the researchers note.