It appears that some people diagnosed with covid-19 have been treating the deadly disease with ivermectin, a drug frequently used to treat or prevent parasites in animals.
Faced with this, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warned that its use should be suspended immediately.
The federal agency says it has received multiple reports from patients who have required medical attention and have been hospitalized after self-medicating with ivermectin intended for horses.
“The FDA has not approved the use of ivermectin to treat or prevent covid-19 in humans. Ivermectin tablets are approved in very specific doses for some parasitic worms, and there are topical formulations (on the skin ) for lice and skin conditions such as rosacea. ivermectin is not an antiviral (a medicine to treat viruses), “the agency said in written statements via its website.
You are not a horse. You are not a cow. Seriously, everyone. Stop it. https://t.co/TWb75xYEY4
– US FDA (@US_FDA) August 21, 2021
Similarly, the agency urged to get the drug through reliable sources and take it as prescribed, if that is the case.
“Animal ivermectin preparations are very different from those approved by humans,” the agency argued.
The FDA has approved some treatments to fight covid-19 such as monoclonal antibody.
The agency must finally approve in the coming days, as early as Monday, the Pfizer vaccine against covid.