Ivermectin vs Quercetin vs Hydroxychloroquine: What's the Difference? (2025 Edition)
As of March 2025, there are more than 4,000 studies published related to the treatment and prevention of COVID-19.
If you are still confused about the recommendations made by different professional groups for the COVID-19 pandemic, you've come to the right place.
The number of options for the treatment of COVID-19 has increased drastically in recent months, thus making it complicated when it comes to choosing the right combination. In general, there are 3 broad categories of medical interventions:
- Prevention or Prophylaxis e.g. vaccine
- Early out-patient treatment
- Hospital treatment
The various treatments available for different conditions often involve the use of complex technologies and specialized terminology, which can be overwhelming and confusing for consumers. To achieve the best possible outcome, multiple treatments and comprehensive strategies are typically used in combination. Therefore, it's important to work closely with your healthcare provider to understand the different options available and determine the best course of action for your specific needs.
The medical community themselves are battling over ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine on whether they should be used to treat and prevent COVID-19. On one side are experts telling you that more research is needed before the treatment can be fully authorized and confirmed. On the other, are experts telling you that the potential benefits outweigh the risk and a 'wait and do nothing' position is not acceptable. Confused?
When faced with conflicting guidance from different expert groups, it can be challenging to navigate through the varying opinions. One common issue is that some groups may have a pre-determined narrative that they wish to support, leading to cherry-picking of studies that align with their views. This approach can result in biased and manipulated decisions. To obtain a more accurate understanding, it is crucial to analyze scientific information comprehensively, in an updated and non-biased manner. This requires evaluating a broad range of evidence from multiple sources and carefully weighing the strengths and limitations of each study, to arrive at an informed decision.
In this article, we would cover 3 popular treatments i.e. Hydroxychloroquine, Ivermectin and Quercetin.
Hydroxychloroquine
Historically, hydroxychloroquine was discovered during efforts to synthesize alternatives to quinine as anti-malarials. Is quinine similar to hydroxychloroquine? Hydroxychloroquine and quinine are both anti-malarial drugs. However, hydroxychloroquine is not the same as quinine as hydroxychloroquine is a synthetic drug while quinine is a naturally occurring compound found in cinchona bark.
Quinine, was first recognized as a potent antimalarial agent hundreds of years ago. Since then, the beneficial effects of quinine and its more advanced synthetic forms, chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine, have been increasingly recognized in a myriad of other diseases in addition to malaria.
Is quercetin same as quinine? No. Quercetin is a phytonutrient whereas quinine is a naturally occurring compound found in cinchona bark and was used as an antimalarial agent. However, both quercetin and quinine are known to have zinc ionophore properties i.e. they transport zinc into the cells.
Hydroxychloroquine, developed in the 1950s from chloroquine, an old anti-malarial drug, is registered in around 60 countries under trade names such as Plaquenil, Quensyl and Plaquinol.
Hydroxychloroquine, developed in the 1950s from chloroquine, an old anti-malarial drug, is registered in around 60 countries under trade names such as Plaquenil, Quensyl and Plaquinol.
Hydroxychloroquine, a less toxic derivative of Chloroquine is a widely used medication by people with lupus or arthritis.
Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) is not effective when used very late with high dosages over a long period, effectiveness improves with earlier usage and improved dosing. Early treatment consistently shows positive effects. Negative evaluations typically ignore treatment time, often focusing on a subset of late stage studies.
53,000+ Patient Study Finds Low-Dose Hydroxychloroquine Associated with Reduced COVID-19 Mortality in China (2025)
A multicenter retrospective study led by Wu He and Dao Wen Wang at Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China, has found that low doses of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) were linked to lower mortality rates in hospitalized COVID-19 patients. Published in Frontiers of Medicine (2025), the study analyzed data from 53,030 patients across 138 hospitals in Hubei Province to assess how HCQ dosing influenced clinical outcomes.
As of March 2025, there are more than 350 published evidence of hydroxychloroquine for COVID-19 (c19hcq.org).
Based on the database on C19Early.com below:
- quercetin performs better than hydroxychloroquine and ivermectin for prevention but
- ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine are superior than quercetin in terms of early treatment
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| Prevention league table: Quercetin (93%) vs Ivermectin (85%) vs Hydroxychloroquine (34%) |
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| Early Treatment League Table: Hydroxychloroquine (66%) vs Ivermectin (61%) vs Quercetin (32%) |
A significant distinction emerges between initiating treatment early versus late. Late treatment is less likely to be effective when compared to early intervention. However, initiating treatment early presents its own set of challenges, as it may take several days to undergo testing, obtain a prescription, and have it filled.
Do you need a prescription for hydroxychloroquine?
Yes, hydroxychloroquine is a prescription drug and you do need it to be prescribed to you by a doctor.
Related: Find a Doctor who will prescribe Hydroxychloroquine
Related: Find a Doctor who will prescribe Hydroxychloroquine
Was Hydroxychloroquine linked to 17,000 deaths?
The original article was a 'hypothesized estimate' of people that might have died, but now even that estimate has been retracted. The reason for the retraction was that the Belgian dataset that was one of the bases for the piece was found to be “unreliable” (but in reality was fraudulent).
Ivermectin and COVID-19
Ivermectin is an anti-parasitic medication widely used in low- and middle-income countries to treat parasitic worm infections in adults and children. It’s been used for decades for this purpose by over 3.7 billion people, and is considered safe and effective. It has an increasing list of indications due to its antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties, and is included on the WHO’s Model List of Essential Medicines.
As of September 2024, there are more than 100 studies on ivermectin and COVID-19. Check out the evidence tracker on ivermectin and COVID-19 from c19ivermectin.com (constantly updated).
Is ivermectin a zinc ionophore? Although there are many articles stating it is but most articles do not provide scientific references to support the claim. We have found studies that showed that ivermectin has a probable ionophore nature:
- Ivermectin, antiviral properties and COVID-19: a possible new mechanism of action (Naunyn Schmiedebergs Arch Pharmacol. 2020).
- The multitargeted drug ivermectin: from an anti-parasitic agent to a repositioned cancer drug (Am J Cancer Res. 2018)
Ivermectin and FLCCC Protocols
The Front Line COVID-19 Critical Care (FLCCC) Alliance was initially formed as a working group during the early COVID-19 pandemic days in response to multiple early reports of COVID patients with an inexplicably high need for prolonged mechanical ventilation and an excessive death rate.
Based on rapidly emerging clinical trials evidence, the FLCCC team has developed several protocols:
Based on rapidly emerging clinical trials evidence, the FLCCC team has developed several protocols:
Concerns and Cautions:
- Ivermectin has a number of potentially serious drug-drug interactions. Please check for potential drug interaction at Ivermectin Drug Interactions - Drugs.com. The most important drug interactions occur with cyclosporin, tacrolimus, anti-retroviral drugs, and certain anti-fungal drugs.
- Quercetin and ivermectin interactions? According to Drugs.com: "No interactions were found between ivermectin and Quercetin. This does not necessarily mean no interactions exist. Always consult your healthcare provider."
- Ivermectin is also lipophilic and therefore, bioavailability is maximised on a full stomach; or best to be taken with meal.
Ivermectin for COVID-19: Real-time meta analysis
Check out the real time meta-analysis on Ivermectin and COVID-19 from Ivmmeta.com (constantly updated).
Related:
If you are considering stockpiling ivermectin or hydroxychloroquine, it is advisable to consult with a medical doctor online beforehand.
Quercetin and COVID-19
Are there supplements similar to hydroxychloroquine? Quercetin acts as a zinc ionophore (PubMed 2014), the same mechanism of action that hydroxychloroquine has via helping zinc pass the cell wall where it might halt viral replication.This zinc ionophore activity of quercetin facilitates the transport of zinc across the cell membrane. It is known that zinc will slow down the replication of coronavirus through inhibition of enzyme RNA polymerase (PubMed 2010). The COVID-19 is an RNA (RiboNucleicAcid) virus and requires the RNA polymerase to replicate. Do take note that the study publication was a 2010 publication and is referring to a different coronavirus as compared to the latest coronavirus (COVID-19); though both are from the same family of coronaviruses.
A review published in The Sage Journal (Dec 2020), summarizes the antiviral significance of quercetin and proposes a possible strategy for the effective utilization of natural polyphenols in our daily diet for the prevention of viral infection.
An animal study published in the Nature (Aug 2012), concluded that quercetin has anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic (anti-scarring) properties. Another study (JCI May 2012) on rutin (quercetin molecule bound to a sugar molecule called rutinose), commonly found in fruits and vegetables and sold over the counter as a dietary supplement, has been shown to inhibit the formation of blood clots in an animal model of thrombosis.
As of September 2024, there have been more than 10 published studies of quercetin against COVID-19. For the list of studies, check out c19early.org/q.
Caution: Quercetin has one moderate drug interaction with warfarin. Do not take quercetin without medical advice if you are using warfarin.
Ivermectin vs Hydroxychloroquine vs Quercetin
Clinical evidence to date has reported promising results (see above) for Ivermectin in prevention, early treatment as well as late treatment for COVID-19. While both Ivermectin and Hydroxychloroquine might be useful for early treatment, Ivermectin has a broader potential benefit i.e. prevention, early treatment as well as late treatment / hospital treatment. An important to note is that both ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine perform better when given early (within first 3 - 5 days of symptoms) as opposed to late treatment.
Hydroxychloroquine and Quercetin are both zinc ionophores i.e. they transport zinc into the cells.
However, quercetin is less potent than HCQ (hydroxychloroquine) as a zinc transporter, and it does not reach high concentrations in lung cells that HCQ does. Quercetin may help reduce risk of viral illness if you are basically healthy. But it is not potent enough to replace HCQ for treatment of COVID once you have symptoms, and it does not adequately get into lung tissue.
That said, if you simply cannot get hydroxychloroquine or ivermectin, quercetin is a viable stand-in. Quercetin works best when taken with vitamin C and Bromelain, as vitamin C helps activate it and bromelain helps with the absorption. Do not forget to combine it with zinc.
Buying Guide: In an effort to make it easier for patients, Dr Zelenko has developed an oral supplement that contains all four key ingredients: vitamin C, quercetin, vitamin D3 and zinc. It’s referred to as 'Z-Stack Supplement'. Where to buy Z-Stack Supplement: Here is the link: Z Stack Supplement.
Is quercetin a safer alternative to hydroxychloroquine? Although ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine are relatively safe drugs, they are still synthetic chemicals that can have side effects. Quercetin and Vitamin D, C, Zinc are nutrients that your body require for optimal health. Nutrients are safer alternatives especially if your risk is low e.g. age below 50 and no other chronic illness.
Other alternatives such as Betadine mouthwash and Betadine nasal spray are over the counter products that you could get easily from your nearest pharmacy. Importantly, you need to start the treatment early. There's a big difference in terms of outcome depending on how early your treatment is.
Discuss with your doctor on the benefit vs risk for each treatment. If you are on multiple medications, be aware of supplement-drug interactions that might enhance the possibilities of adverse effects.
Hydroxychloroquine, Ivermectin, Quercetin and FLCCC Protocols
Hydroxychloroquine, ivermectin and quercetin are all part of the latest FLCCC I-PREVENT and I-CARE early treatment protocols.
Other Early Treatment Options
For an up-to-date overview of all published studies on early treatment and prevention of COVID-19, we recommend visiting C19Early database.
Summary
Although ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine are relatively safe drugs, they are still synthetic chemicals that can have side effects. Quercetin is a phytonutrient that will benefit your body for optimal health.
Although ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine are relatively safe drugs, they are still synthetic chemicals that can have side effects. Quercetin is a phytonutrient that will benefit your body for optimal health.
For a list of proven benefits of quercetin (by category), check out benefits of quercetin.
Nutrients are safer alternatives especially if your risk is low e.g. age below 50 and no other chronic illness. Discuss with your doctor on the benefit vs risk for each treatment. If you are on multiple medications, be aware of supplement-drug interactions that might enhance the possibilities of adverse effects.
The important key takeaway is 'early' treatment. That said you should never attempt to self medicate without the guidance of a licensed medical provider. If you are not a medical doctor, you are likely to find the above information overwhelming. The aim of this article is to empower you with a better understanding of the options available and to discuss the options with your medical doctor.
Related:
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Z-Stack Supplement
In an effort to make it easier for patients, Dr Zelenko has developed an oral supplement that contains all four key ingredients: vitamin C, quercetin, vitamin D3 and zinc. It’s referred to as 'Z-Stack Supplement'.
Z-Stack Vitamin cocktail provides key ingredients needed in order to help your body fight off this deadly invader. The Z-Stack Vitamins are Kosher certified, GMP certified and made in the USA.
The cost of the Z-STACK vitamin cocktail is $55 per bottle for a one month supply.
Where to buy Z-Stack: Here is the link: Z Stack Supplement
Note: To get 10% OFF, please use this coupon code: ONEDAYMD
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