In recent weeks, some cable television programs have been promoting a drug called ivermectin as a “cure” for the coronavirus. However, ivermectin is an anti-parasitic drug used on livestock, and while it is authorized for treatment of specific conditions in humans, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has warned that the drug should not be used to treat or prevent Covid-19.
The FDA says it has received “multiple reports of patients who have required medical support and been hospitalized after self-medicating with ivermectin intended for horses”
It also says it has not reviewed data to support use of ivermectin on Covid-19 patients though there is some initial research currently underway,
There are approved uses for ivermectin in people and animals, but it is not approved for the prevention or treatment of COVID-19. You should not take any medicine to treat or prevent COVID-19 unless it has been prescribed to you by your health care provider and bought from a legitimate source.
Some of the side-effects that may be associated with ivermectin include skin rash, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, facial or limb swelling, neurologic adverse events (dizziness, seizures, confusion), sudden drop in blood pressure, severe skin rash potentially requiring hospitalization and liver injury (hepatitis).
We urge you to follow the FDA’s advice and do not take any medication promoted as a cure for COVID-19 unless your doctor has approved it.
