What is Ivermectin, its historical uses, and its observed activity against SARS-CoV-2?

Compound: Ivermectin

Ivermectin was initially used against worms (excluding tapeworms) and later approved in 2012 for head lice infestations in patients 6 months of age. It is primarily used for treating intestinal strongyloidiasis from Strongyloides stercoralis, onchocerciasis from Onchocerca volvulus, and scabies from Sarcoptes scabiei. Ivermectin demonstrated the ability to induce an approximate 5000-fold reduction in SARS-CoV-2 RNA within two days in vitro. Its mechanism of action on SARS-CoV-2 RNA is unconfirmed, but its calculated binding affinity suggests a possible competitive binding to viral protease. Its dock score with COVID-19 protease was 8.7.