Health experts in the United States are concerned about people taking the anti-parasitic drug Ivermectin because they see it as a miracle cure against the coronavirus. An Oklahoma doctor says hospitals have their hands full with patients who have overdosed on the drug.
Ivermectin is used to treat livestock but can also be prescribed for humans. As a result, there was a rush for the drug in the United States during the pandemic, despite warnings from authorities that it has not yet been shown to be suitable for treating a corona infection.
Doctor Jason McElyea of Oklahoma warned in American media that waiting times in hospitals are increasing due to the influx of sick people after self-treating with Ivermectin. He stated that after an overdose, patients experience nausea, muscle aches and even loss of vision.
Another doctor from that state, Matthew Payne, recently told The Washington Post that he regularly sees patients in hospitals who do not trust corona vaccines and see Ivermectin as a safer alternative. “They are then surprised and shocked when they get sick and have to come to the hospital.”
Drug watchdog FDA emphasized at the end of last month that it can be dangerous to take large amounts of Ivermectin yourself. “You are not a horse. You are not a cow. No craziness: stop it,” the regulator wrote in a Twitter message.
Americans obtain Ivermectin via the internet and speciality stores for livestock farmers. Some doctors prescribe the medicine. Medical industry organizations AMA, APhA and ASHP called last week to stop providing Ivermectin to corona patients, except for research purposes.
The drug is recommended by well-known figures in the media. For example, podcast host Joe Rogan, who has millions of followers, revealed that he had taken Ivermectin after contracting the coronavirus. Likewise, conspiracy theorist Alex Jones swallowed a few pills during a live broadcast.