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Wasn't the ivermectin hypothesis based on it blocking NS3 helicase preventing double-stranded viral RNA from being unwound after replication? Paxlovid targets a few steps earlier by blocking 3CL protease that chops viral RNA into functional parts of a virus.

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That may have been the theory, but it seems more likely that, inasmuch as it appeared to improve outcomes in some trials, it did so by treating parasitic infections which were concurrently present. (Which makes sense! That's its primary application, after all.)

What happens if you take Ivermectin but turns out you didn't have a parasitic infection?

Is it dangerous?

Dangerous only to your career and only if you posted about it on social media

Very low risk. Ld50 is incredibly high. Side effects minimal. Adverse reactions very rare

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