This story was originally published by PGN.
On June 9, NBC News reported that 16 U.S. states have passed or proposed laws to allow ivermectin, a drug used to treat parasites, to be sold without a prescription.
However, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not authorized the over-the-counter use of ivermectin. And, despite what many social media users claim, this drug does not cure COVID-19 or cancer.
We spoke with Dr. Preeti Malani , an infectious disease physician and professor at the University of Michigan, to learn more about ivermectin, safety concerns, and more.
What is ivermectin?
Ivermectin is a medication used to treat conditions caused by parasitic worms in humans, such as strongyloidiasis and river blindness (onchocerciasis) . In its topical form (as a cream), the drug is also used to treat head lice and skin conditions such as rosacea, according to the FDA .
According to Malani, its use in the United States is “quite limited,” but it is used worldwide to treat human infections caused by certain worms.
Some forms of ivermectin are also used in animals to treat parasites and to prevent heartworm disease in cats and dogs .
Are there safety concerns with ivermectin?
Yes. Ivermectin can be dangerous when taken in high doses because it can cause low blood pressure, allergic reactions, seizures, coma, and even death.
While ivermectin is generally safe to take at the correct dosage as directed by a doctor, it can interact with other medications such as blood thinners, Malani adds.
“What worries me is that people are taking large doses of ivermectin for many days, something we’ve heard about,” Malani says. “Like any other medication, it could have drug interactions, depending on whether certain people are more susceptible to side effects, especially at high doses.”
Is ivermectin approved for over-the-counter sale?
NBC News reported that three U.S. states (Arkansas, Idaho, and Tennessee) have passed laws allowing ivermectin to be available without a prescription, and 13 others (including Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, and Maine) have proposed similar bills. However, pharmacists in Arkansas, Idaho, and Tennessee told NBC News that they are still unable to dispense ivermectin without a prescription because they rely on FDA guidelines, which the FDA has not authorized for over-the-counter sale.
Can ivermectin treat COVID-19 or cancer?
No. Ivermectin does not treat COVID-19 or cancer.
Since the COVID-19 pandemic, misinformation about ivermectin has increased. Many social media users falsely claim that it can treat or prevent COVID-19 and other diseases such as cancer. For example, as we explained in Public Good News, a large-scale preprint study from November 2020 sparked a wave of false claims that ivermectin can treat COVID-19.
However, that study was retracted eight months later , without ever completing peer review.
Furthermore, data from several peer-reviewed studies “did not show that ivermectin was helpful” against COVID-19, Malani says.
While some scientists are investigating the potential of using ivermectin to treat cancer, the drug has not been extensively studied in humans, according to a KFF report .
For more information, talk to your healthcare provider.
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