Ivermectin (22,23-dihydroavermectin B1a + 22,23-dihydroavermectin B1b) is a broad-spectrum antiparasitic medication. It is traditionally used against worms, but more recently found to be effective against mites and some lice too. Ivermectin is currently being used to help eliminate river blindness (onchocerciasis) in the Americas and stop transmission of lymphatic filariasis around the world.
Rutgers Professor Lewis Nelson is available to discuss the dangers of people taking the livestock deworming drug ivermectin to try to treat COVID-19.
Researchers have developed a method to spur the production of new antibiotic or antiparasitic compounds hiding in the genomes of actinobacteria, which are the source of drugs such as actinomycin and streptomycin and are known to harbor other untapped chemical riches.