Demand for ivermectin has increased nationwide, despite health agencies’ warnings about the dangers of consuming it for non-FDA-approved purposes.
No evidence has been found that the drug is effective in preventing or treating COVID-19. Ivermectin is most commonly used for veterinary purposes, though it is sometimes prescribed to humans to treat parasites.
Over 88,000 ivermectin prescriptions were reported nationwide in the second week of August, an amount 24-times higher than the pre-pandemic figure, the Washington State Department of Health said in a news release. Since last year, the Washington Poison Center has received a threefold increase in calls regarding ivermectin, said Dr. Scott Phillips, the medical director for the center. He attributed the rise in calls to misinformation. Most calls were from people asking about ivermectin safety, though some calls were made from people who were recently hospitalized or were experiencing mild to moderate symptoms of poisoning, he said.
Reports across the country have shown people using veterinary ivermectin, which is much higher in concentration. There are serious risks to taking unprescribed ivermectin, according to Dr. Nathan Schlicher, president of the Washington State Medical Association. The drug can lower someone’s blood pressure and increase their heart rate, which can be dangerous for someone fighting against COVID-19. (Seattle Times)
