Ivermectin Treatment: Potential or Peril?
Ivermectin, a medicine long used in the prevention of parasitic worms in both livestock and people is on the rise locally and nationwide by people who are trying to use it to treat and/or prevent COVID.
According to the Center for Disease Control, “since early July 2021, outpatient ivermectin dispensing has again begun to rapidly increase, reaching more than 88,000 prescriptions in the week ending August 13, 2021. This represents a 24-fold increase from the pre-pandemic baseline.”
One local doctor said they prescribed human doses of ivermectin to a patient out of concern that the person was going to go to a feed store and get doses meant for horses otherwise.
Fayette County Emergency Management Coordinator Craig Moreau said one local resident recently told him that he’s been putting ivermectin in his coffee every morning – something Moreau said is a dangerous misuse of the drug.
Moreau last week highlighted what he thinks is both the potential and peril of the drug, publicly sharing a link to an online study about ivermectin and COVID saying, “Interesting and promising meta-analysis on ivermectin. If used, please consult your physician and not the high school kid at the feed store.”
Friday when asked more about ivermectin, Moreau clarified saying he was not “recommending any treatment in leiu of a vaccine, period.”
Local doctors Wess Blackwell, Thomas Borgstedte and Mike McBroom all said they are very doubtful of any meaningful impact ivermectin could have related to COVID.
Ivermectin has not been approved by the FDA for treatment or prevention of COVID. The FDA has received multiple reports of patients who have required medical support and been hospitalized after self-medicating with ivermectin intended for horses.
Even though most associated with livestock, Ivermectin tablets have been approved by the FDA to treat people with intestinal strongyloidiasis and onchocerciasis, two conditions caused by parasitic worms. In addition, some topical (on the skin) forms of ivermectin are approved to treat external parasites like head lice and for skin conditions such as rosacea. The use of invermectin has
The use of invermectin has risen so much, however, that Thursday the Center for Disease Control issued a “health alert.” During the COVID-19 pandemic, ivermectin dispensing by retail pharmacies has increased, as has use of veterinary formulations available over the counter but not intended for human use.
Recommendations from the CDC include:
Be aware that currently, ivermectin has not been proven as a way to prevent or treat COVID-19.
Do not swallow ivermectin products that should be used on skin (e.g., lotions and creams) or are not meant for human use, such as veterinary ivermectin products.
Seek immediate medical attention or call the poison control center hotline (800) 222-1222) for advice if you have taken ivermectin or a product that contains ivermectin and are having symptoms. Signs and symptoms include gastrointestinal effects (nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea), headache, blurred vision, dizziness, fast heart rate, and low blood pressure.
Other severe nervous system effects have been reported, including tremors, seizures, hallucinations, confusion, loss of coordination and balance, decreased alertness, and coma.
Get vaccinated against COVID-19. COVID-19 vaccination is approved by FDA and is the safest and most effective way to prevent getting sick and protect against severe disease and death from SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, including the Delta variant.
Protect yourself and others from getting sick with COVID-19. In addition to vaccination, wear masks in indoor public places, practice staying at least six feet from other people who don’t live in your household, avoid crowds and poorly ventilated spaces, and wash your hands often or use hand sanitizer that has at least 60 percent alcohol.