SARS-CoV-2 enters a cell via the spike-shaped protein on its surface. The protein docks in at the cell’s ACE-2 receptors, and then fuses itself to the cell membrane. Ivermectin prevents this from happening by binding to the virus’ spike protein and to enzymes in the cell membrane. 

Once a virus enters a cell, it hijacks its machinery and instructs it to produce more virus. Ivermectin helps prevent this by binding to some of the enzymes and proteins the virus needs in order to replicate.

If Covid-19 progresses, the virus can trigger a hyper-inflammatory response that damages tissue and can lead to organ failure as well as clotting issues including thrombosis. It does this by activating the production of pro-inflammatory proteins called cytokines, via toll-like receptors (TLRs) in the body, and also via a protein called signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3). The result is a ‘cytokine storm’.
Ivermectin reduces the production of cytokines in several ways, it:

• Inhibits the signalling of a specific TLR called TLR4 – also blocking the specific pathway downstream of TLR4 that produces cytokines
• Inhibits STAT3
• Suppresses the production of Interleukin-6 (IL6) and Tumour Necrosis Factor Alpha (TNFα), two major components of cytokine storms
• Inhibits HMGB1 – a protein that activates TLR4 – mediating lung inflammation