FDA Issues Warning Against Using Livestock Medications for COVID-19 Treatment

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In a recent statement, the FDA couldn’t help but express some sass after receiving a surge of poison control calls linked to the ingestion of horse dewormers. Yes, you read that right. On August 21, the Food and Drug Administration tweeted, “You are not a horse. You are not a cow. Seriously, folks. Stop it,” alongside a link to an article titled “Why You Should Not Use Ivermectin to Treat or Prevent COVID-19.” This tweet came in response to a rise in poison control inquiries in Mississippi, where some individuals were misled by conspiracy theories suggesting that ivermectin, primarily a dewormer for livestock, could effectively treat COVID-19.

The Mississippi Department of Health released an alert on August 20, indicating that “At least 70% of the recent calls involved ingestion of livestock or animal formulations of ivermectin obtained from agricultural supply stores.” Fortunately, most callers reported only mild symptoms; however, one individual required further medical attention. The alert emphasized that “Animal medications are highly concentrated for large animals and can be extremely toxic to humans.”

The Origins of the Ivermectin Conspiracy

Where did this ivermectin conspiracy theorizing stem from? Many right-wing commentators promoting ivermectin as a COVID-19 remedy reference a study that has since been withdrawn due to “ethical concerns.” The introduction was plagiarized, the numbers in the data sets were inconsistent, and many data points were “mathematically impossible.” Despite this, conspiracy theorists continue to champion this dewormer as a miracle cure. It’s alarming that some individuals would rather ingest ivermectin than receive the COVID-19 vaccine designed specifically for humans. Furthermore, ivermectin is not an antiviral drug, making the belief in its efficacy even more bewildering.

Ivermectin has limited FDA-approved applications for humans, such as treating head lice or certain internal parasites, but these uses involve a different formulation at much lower doses than those intended for livestock. Ingesting livestock-strength ivermectin can lead to severe neurological issues, seizures, or even coma in humans and can be fatal in extreme cases.

The Bottom Line

Once again, there is no scientific evidence supporting the use of ivermectin to treat or prevent COVID-19. This is not the first conspiracy theory surrounding COVID treatments, nor will it likely be the last. Heed the advice from the FDA and the World Health Organization: avoid horse dewormer for COVID-19. Get vaccinated, wear a mask, and to reiterate: do not take horse dewormer for COVID.

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In summary, the FDA has firmly cautioned against the use of livestock medications like ivermectin for treating COVID-19, emphasizing the potential dangers and lack of evidence supporting such claims. It’s crucial to rely on approved medical treatments and guidelines.

Keyphrase: FDA warning livestock drugs COVID-19

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