FDA WARNS AGAINST USING IVERMECTIN TO TREAT COVID-19
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a warning after an increase in use of a drug designated for use in animals as a defense against COVID-19.
Ivermectin is an anti-parasite medicine typically used to treat livestock for worms, but calls to poison centers have increased after people have been using the drug to treat COVID-19. The FDA has not approved the drug for that use.
Washington County Health Authority Dr. William Loesch says current evidence does not lend credibility to the drug being an effective method of treatment.
The Texas Poison Center Network told KXAN of Austin that it has received 150 calls of ivermectin exposure this year, including 55 calls in the past month, compared to 48 calls throughout 2020.
The FDA has approved ivermectin to treat conditions like head lice and rosacea, and says the drug should only be used if prescribed for approved uses. Dr. Loesch says it should not be taken over the counter because of higher doses that are meant for animals, as well as potentially harmful side effects.
Reported symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, low blood pressure, allergic reactions and dizziness, with severe effects including seizures, coma and death.
Studies are being performed to determine whether ivermectin can be used to treat COVID-19, but there has not been conclusive evidence for the FDA to recommend it.
Dr. Loesch urges patients to exercise caution and better judgment, and encourages them to seek FDA-authorized methods such as vaccination or monoclonal antibody treatment.
How sad and how unfortunate that persons living in the 21st century with the plethora of medical knowledge and procedures would take a drug marketed for killing parasites in/on animals. While many formulations have off-label usages, formulations for humans are made and stored under much more stringent controls then are those for animals. As well, the anecdotal evidence that circulates only causes more problems. I remember when I was about seven or eight years of age, my great-grandmother burned her foot when she dropped a skillet full of hot oil. She immediately cleaned it and applied bacon grease mixed with turpentine and wrapped it up. After several days, things looked pretty bad and when she went to Dr. Schoenvogel (the old one), he politely and tactfully told her that there were better options for treatment. She trusted him and followed his advice and treatment. 60 years later, it doesn’t seem as though people have changed… at least Granny listened to the doctor.