In light of rising poison control calls, the FDA delivered a blunt message regarding the use of animal medications to treat COVID-19. On August 21, the agency tweeted, “You are not a horse. You are not a cow. Seriously, y’all. Stop it.” This came after a concerning number of calls in Mississippi, where individuals were misled into believing that ivermectin—a dewormer intended for livestock—could effectively treat COVID-19.
The Mississippi Department of Health reported on August 20 that over 70% of recent calls were linked to the consumption of livestock formulations of ivermectin bought from agricultural supply stores. Thankfully, most cases only resulted in mild symptoms, with one individual advised to seek further medical attention. The warning highlighted the dangers, noting that animal medications are highly concentrated and can be toxic to humans.
The misinformation surrounding ivermectin originated from right-wing commentators citing a retracted study marred by ethical issues, including plagiarism and implausible data. Despite this, some continue to promote ivermectin as a miracle cure, overshadowing the availability of human vaccines specifically designed for COVID-19. It’s important to note that ivermectin is not an antiviral drug, adding to the confusion surrounding its supposed efficacy.
While there are FDA-approved uses for ivermectin in humans, such as for head lice or certain internal parasites, these applications involve much lower dosages than those used for animals. Misuse can lead to serious health consequences, including neurological disorders or even death.
This is not the first instance of misinformation about COVID-19 treatments, and it likely won’t be the last. It’s crucial to heed the advice of the FDA and World Health Organization: avoid using livestock dewormers for COVID-19. Instead, prioritize vaccination, wear masks, and above all, do not take horse dewormer for COVID.
For more on health and wellness topics, check out this other blog post. For authoritative insights on home insemination, visit Make a Mom. Additionally, Science Daily provides excellent resources on fertility and pregnancy.
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