What treatment has been discouraged for use in early COVID-19 management?

Ivermectin has been discouraged for use in early COVID-19 management due to a lack of sufficient evidence supporting its efficacy and safety for this specific purpose. Initially, there was interest in repurposing ivermectin, an antiparasitic medication, for viral infections, including COVID-19. However, subsequent studies demonstrated that it did not provide significant benefits in reducing the severity or duration of COVID-19 when used early in the disease process.

Clinical guidelines from various health organizations, such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), have advised against the use of ivermectin for treating COVID-19 outside of clinical trials due to concerns over potential side effects and the absence of reliable data to justify its use.

In contrast, treatments like remdesivir, monoclonal antibodies, and corticosteroids have been shown to have therapeutic effects when used appropriately in certain stages of COVID-19. Remdesivir has been authorized for use in hospitalized patients, monoclonal antibodies have shown effectiveness in reducing the risk of severe disease when administered early, and corticosteroids are recommended for managing severe cases and reducing mortality.