Self-medication and the risks of intoxication associated with the use of ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.33448/rsd-v11i9.31848Keywords:
Ivermectin; Hydroxychloroquine; Risks of self-medication; COVID-19.Abstract
Introduction: Near the end of 2019, COVID-19, an emerging disease, affected all countries due to the spread of the new coronavirus, called SARS-CoV-2. Although the outbreak started in Wuhan, a province of China, it was not restricted to it and quickly affected several countries, causing a pandemic. Amid this scenario, governments sought therapeutic and prophylactic pharmacological measures, such as ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine. Objective: to demonstrate, through current empirical results, the risks associated with self-medication from the indiscriminate use of ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine as therapeutic measures against COVID-19. Method: literature review, descriptive-exploratory and qualitative approach. The research was carried out in databases such as Scientific Electronic Library Online (Scielo) and Google Scholar. Results: there is no scientific evidence that proves that ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine are effective in the treatment of the new coronavirus. Contrary to what has been propagated, hydroxychloroquine, although it prevents the terminal glycosylation of the ACE2 enzyme, acting as a membrane receptor for SARS-CoV-2, thus inhibiting the binding of the virus, the results of the studies reiterate that, against the new coronavirus, this function does not materialize. Conclusion: both drugs have a high level of toxicity when used indiscriminately, thus bringing different risks to human health, not being an indicated therapy.
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