“You are not a horse. You are not a cow. Seriously, y’all. Stop it.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there has been a rapid increase in Ivermectin dispensing by retail pharmacies, as has use of veterinary formulations available over the counter but not intended for human use. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has cautioned about the potential risks of use of Ivermectin for prevention or treatment of COVID-19. Ivermectin is not currently authorized or approved by the FDA for treatment of COVID-19. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has also determined that there are currently insufficient data to recommend Ivermectin for treatment of COVID-19.
Physicians are asked to educate patients about the risks of using Ivermectin without a prescription, or ingesting Ivermectin formulations that are meant for external use or Ivermectin -containing products formulated for veterinary use.
Patients should be advised to immediately seek medical treatment if they have taken any Ivermectin or Ivermectin -containing products and are experiencing symptoms. Signs and symptoms of Ivermectin toxicity include gastrointestinal effects (nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea), headache, blurred vision, dizziness, tachycardia, hypotension, visual hallucinations, altered mental status, confusion, loss of coordination and balance, central nervous system depression, and seizures.
Ivermectin may increase sedative effects of other medications such as benzodiazepines and barbiturates. Call the poison control center hotline (800.222.1222) for medical management advice.
COVID-19 vaccination is the most effective means to prevent infection and protect against severe disease and death from SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, including the Delta variant. Patients and the public should be educated to use COVID-19 prevention measures including wearing masks in indoor public places, physical distancing by staying at least six feet from other people who don’t live in the same household, avoiding crowds and poorly ventilated spaces, and frequent handwashing and use of hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
- NIH COVID-19 Treatment Ivermectin Guidelines
- FDA Consumer Alert on Use of Ivermectin to Treat or Prevent COVID-19
- FDA MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program
- CDC Coronavirus (COVID-19) website
- U.S. Government Coronavirus (COVID-19) website
- American Association of Poison Control Centers
- Press Release: American College of Medical Toxicology Reports Data on Adverse Effects and Toxicity from Unapproved Use of Ivermectin for the Prevention or Treatment of COVID-19
- Treatments Your Healthcare Provider Might Recommend if You Are Sick.