Since early this year, the FDA has warned against using the drug ivermectin, a livestock dewormer, to treat or prevent Covid-19. On Monday, it asked veterinarians and retailers to discourage their clientele from buying the medicine to use on themselves.
“People are purchasing various highly concentrated animal ivermectin drug formulations such as ‘pour-on,’ injectable, paste, and ‘drench’ that are intended for horses, cattle, and sheep, and taking these drugs has made some people very sick,” said the FDA in a letter. “We are asking for your help in sharing important safety information about the misuse of animal ivermectin to prevent or treat COVID-19 in people.”
As an aid, the agency provided a digital link to a sign that veterinarians and retailers could post. The first sentences on the safety alert says, “Animal products containing ivermectin SHOULD NOT be used in people. These products can cause serious health effects, including death.”
Pharmacies reported a surge in prescriptions for ivermectin that began in July and exceed 88,000 during the week of Aug. 13. Poison control centers reported an increase in calls about the medicine. “These reports are also associated with increased frequency of adverse effects and emergency department/hospital visits,” said the CDC last week.
The FDA also said it was “hearing of reports of decreased availability of certain animal ivermectin products in certain regions of the country.”