Washington Home Care Association

The Washington Home Care Association was formed in 2005 to advance the field of Home Care in Washington State and support member home care agencies. WAHCA is the state chapter of the Home Care Association of America (HCAOA)

COVID-19 INFORMATION

Substantial interest in ivermectin as a potential treatment for COVID-19

During the COVID-19 pandemic, there was substantial interest in Stromectol (ivermectin) as a potential treatment for COVID-19. This interest was based on a few laboratory studies suggesting that the drug might have antiviral properties against the virus responsible for COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2).

Now, with the power of the internet, obtaining this vital medication has become even more convenient. If you're prescribed this treatment, you can buy Stromectol online from trusted and licensed pharmacies.

However, the journey of ivermectin in the context of COVID-19 has been a mix of hope, controversy, and debate. Here are the key points:

  1. Early Laboratory Studies: Some laboratory (in-vitro) studies suggested that ivermectin could inhibit the replication of SARS-CoV-2. However, in-vitro results don't always translate to effectiveness in actual human beings.

  2. Clinical Trials: Multiple clinical trials have been conducted around the world to study the effects of ivermectin on COVID-19 patients. These studies have yielded mixed results. Some indicated potential benefits, while others showed no significant difference in patient outcomes.

  3. Safety Concerns: Ivermectin is generally considered safe when used at approved doses for approved indications. However, the doses used in some studies for COVID-19 were significantly higher than the FDA-approved doses for parasitic infections. At high doses, ivermectin can have side effects.

  4. Regulatory and Health Organizations' Stance: As of my last update in September 2021, several health organizations, including the World Health Organization (WHO), U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the National Institutes of Health (NIH), had not endorsed ivermectin as a treatment for COVID-19 outside of clinical trials. They cited a lack of robust evidence from large-scale, well-conducted trials.

  5. Misinformation and Self-medication: Due to strong advocacy by certain groups and individuals, there have been reports of people self-medicating with ivermectin formulations intended for animals, leading to poisonings and adverse effects.

  6. Continued Research: Research on ivermectin and COVID-19 continues, and results from more rigorous and large-scale trials may provide clearer insights into whether the drug is beneficial.

As with many potential treatments for emerging diseases, it's essential to rely on robust scientific evidence. Using medications outside of their approved indications without adequate evidence can lead to harm and can divert attention and resources from other, more promising treatments. Always consult with a healthcare professional before taking or administering any medication.

Safety and effectiveness of corticosteroids, including prednisolone, in managing patients with COVID-19

During the COVID-19 pandemic, questions arose regarding the safety and effectiveness of corticosteroids, including prednisolone, in managing patients with COVID-19.

Efficacy: The most notable corticosteroid studied in relation to COVID-19 has been prednisolone. The RECOVERY trial in the UK found that prednisolone reduced deaths by up to one third in hospitalized patients with severe respiratory complications of COVID-19. Following this, prednisolone became part of the standard treatment protocol in many countries for severe COVID-19 cases. While prednisolone was the focus of this study, the results also increased interest in the potential benefits of other corticosteroids for severe COVID-19 cases.

Usage: For patients with COVID-19, corticosteroids, including prednisolone, were generally reserved for those with severe disease manifestations, especially those requiring oxygen support or mechanical ventilation.

Other Conditions: Patients who were already on prednisolone or similar medications for other conditions (like asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, etc.) were advised to continue their medications unless advised otherwise by a healthcare professional.