Due to rising fears of COVID-19 infections and various mutations, people have resorted to using ivermectin, a commonly used horse de-worming drug, poisoning themselves in the process.
ABC News reports an increase in calls to poison control centers due to the drug. The Missouri Poison Center reports an increase by 40-50 calls daily due to the do-it-yourself COVID-19 treatment and preventive trend that's worrying health experts.
Experts Warn of The Dangers of Ivermectin
Julie Weber, the president of the American Association of Poison Control Centers tells ABC News that people are getting horse prescriptions through their vets and dosing themselves with horse-sized drugs in a poor attempt to treat or prevent COVID-19 infections.
Experts urge people to avoid fake 'cures' and lures that are detrimental to their health and could cause problems as severe as COVID-19 infections.
Soren Rodning, DVM and Alabama Extension veterinarian warns that animal ivermectin should not be used to self-medicate. Adding that there is no study proving the effectiveness of ivermectin to treat COVID-19 infections in humans.
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How Ivermectin Became a Popular RIY COVID Treatment
The trend in using ivermectin as a COVID-19 deterrent was generated by the Front Line COVID-19 Critical Care Alliance that formed at the beginning of the global pandemic. It is composed of critical care workers that bonded over the controversial use of Vitamin C of Sepsis as reported by MedPage Today.
On the other hand, US regulators are firmly reiterating the lack of robust evidence and safety data over the recommended ivermectin as preventive medicine, cure, or treatment for COVID-19.
The FLCCC also held a press conference announcing a study that showed proof of the drug's ability to combat the coronavirus. However, public health agencies and health experts denounce the lack of research.
In an earlier statement, the National Institutes of Health refused to support ivermectin claims of treating COVID-19 until human clinical trials prove the safety and effectiveness of the drug.
Meanwhile, the US Food and Drug Administration also warns Americans not to self-medicate using ivermectin primarily indeed for veterinary use.
Large Amounts of Ivermectin is Poisonous
Ivermectin is a common veterinary antiparasitic cream used in cats, dogs, and horses to eliminate scabies, lice, and worms in mammals.
Although small doses of the horse de-worming drug can be tolerated by humans with minimal side effects like increased heart rates, rashes, and nausea, taking large doses intended for horses and larger animals can cause severe poisoning in humans.
The Missouri Poison Center reminds the public that overdoses of ivermectin can result in lung issues, heart problems, seizures, and coma in humans. Adding that people should refrain from taking animal medication especially if they believe they have contracted the coronavirus.
According to reports the study that triggered the trend of using horse de-worming drugs to prevent or treat COVID-19 infections tested the efficacy of ivermectin in vitro or performed outside of living organisms.
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