EFFICACY OF IVERMECTIN AND DOXYCYCLINE AS AN ADJUNCT TO REMDESIVIR IN SEVERE COVID-19 CASES – A RETROSPECTIVE ANALYSIS

Introduction: Covid-19 pandemic has posed new challenges to humanity. The definitive cure is yet to be found, while drug repurposing holds the key so far. Remdesivir had been used for the treatment of novel corona-virus. Ivermectin and Doxycycline have also been recommended for treating Covid-19, but their efficacy has not been studied extensively. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study during the second wave of the pandemic. Data were retrieved and 162 patients who had received Remdesivir were divided into 2 groups. Group I (101 patients) received Tab Ivermectin and Cap Doxycycline and Group R (61 patients) received only Remdesivir. The standard treatment was common for both groups. Mortality, duration of intensive care unit stay, and oxygen requirement were compared between the groups. Results: There was no statistically significant difference observed in demography, vaccination status, investigations on admission, comorbidity, and APACHE scoring between both groups. Group R had higher mortality with 75.41% as compared to Group I with a mortality rate of 55.45%, which was statistically significant. The mean duration of ICU stay in group I was 6.98 ± 4.78 days, and in Group R was 4.58 ± 3.82 days, and the mean total days of oxygen support needed in group I was 8.57 ± 5.5 days, and in Group R was 5.33 ± 4.82 days which were also statistically significant. Conclusion: Ivermectin Doxycycline and Remdesivir may be associated with lower mortality in critically ill Covid-19 patients compared to patients treated with Remdesivir alone.