Ivermectin does not prevent COVID-19 hospitalization, a new study says
A health worker shows a box containing a bottle of Ivermectin, a medicine authorized by the National Institute for Food and Drug Surveillance (INVIMA) to treat patients with mild, asymptomatic or suspicious COVID-19, as part of a study of the Center for Paediatric Infectious Diseases Studies, in Cali, Colombia, on July 21, 2020. (Luis Robayo/AFP via Getty Images)
The anti-parasitic ivermectin doesn’t reduce the risk of hospitalization from COVID-19, according to a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine.
The study serves as more evidence for what health professionals have been saying for much of the pandemic: the cow and horse de-wormer shouldn’t be used to treat COVID.
In the large study, researchers in Brazil studied more than 1,300 patients, half of which received ivermectin and the other half a placebo.
In their conclusion, the authors said, “Treatment with ivermectin did not result in a lower incidence of medical admission to a hospital due to progression of Covid-19 or of prolonged emergency department observation among outpatients with an early diagnosis of Covid-19.”
There have already been some clinical trials done earlier in the pandemic that showed ivermectin is not effective against COVID-19.
The Food and Drug Administration has strongly urged against using the animal version of ivermectin to fight COVID-19, warning it can cause nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, neurologic disorders and potentially severe hepatitis requiring hospitalization.
This warning hasn’t stopped the drug’s popularity with some people seeking to treat COVID.
Popular podcaster Joe Rogan said he used the drug to treat his COVID-19 infection. He said at the time that his treatments also included monoclonal antibodies, Z-pack antibiotics and a vitamin drip for “three days in a row.”
This drug has was even administered to inmates in Arkansas.
9(MDAzMzI1ODY3MDEyMzkzOTE3NjIxNDg3MQ001))
RFK Jr. wants to ‘Make America Healthy Again.’ He could face a lot of pushback
MAHA has set its sights on big food and big pharma, arguing that these industries use lobbying power to maximize profits at the expense of the country's health.
1 week ago
Even as Delaware cancer rates are declining, there’s still persistent disparities in cases. Experts emphasize the need for early detection.
3 weeks ago
Listen 1:34
The regional coalition of health systems is reevaluating the role of race in tools used to assess kidney and lung function and other health conditions.
4 weeks ago