People are taking dangerous doses of anti-parasitic drugs to treat COVID-19, although there is no solid evidence that there is any benefit to the disease.
A drug called ivermectin is often used to treat or prevent anthrax, such as heartworm-based. Food and Drug AdministrationIn humans, some forms of drugs are used to treat parasitic worms, and sometimes topical drugs are used to treat it. louse.
But lately, misinformation about ivermectin has led some people to use the drug for COVID-19, although it’s not approved for this use. The idea of using ivermectin for COVID-1
9 emerged last year.A study by researchers in Australia found that large doses of the drug were effective against the novel coronavirus in laboratory food. The Washington Post reports.… but human studies are limited and show mixed results. Infectious Disease Society of America Ivermectin is not recommended for COVID-19 outside clinical trials.Some people are using veterinary formulations because these formulations are much easier to find than those prescribed for the general public. Washington Post.
It may have harmful effects: Veterinary drugs intended for large animals such as horses and cattle are high in high doses that can be highly toxic to humans, according to the FDA, the agency said. Hospitalized after self-medication with a form of ivermectin intended for horses.
In humans, overdose can cause nausea, vomiting, hypotension, allergic reactions, seizures, coma, and even death. And giving the animal a lower dose could pose a risk. That’s because inactive ingredients in many animal drugs have not been studied for use in humans, and how these inactive ingredients might pose risks and affect drug metabolism in humans, the FDA says.
Research on ivermectin is ongoing and the National Institutes of Health may study the drug as part of a clinical trial on the introduction of the older drug in the treatment of COVID-19, according to the post (however, the combined ivermectin in that trial has not been confirmed, posted a report)
In the meantime, the FDA warns that taking unapproved drugs can be dangerous and prohibits users from using drugs intended for animals.
Originally published in Live Science.
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