The Mississippi State Department of Health is issuing a warning against the misuse of Ivermectin—a drug often used to treat or prevent parasites in animals —as a treatment or preventive measure against COVID-19.
The MSDH warned on social media that the Mississippi Poison Control Center has received increased calls due to livestock or animal formulations of ivermectin taken to prevent or treat COVID-19 infection.
“Animal drugs are highly concentrated for large animals and can be highly toxic in humans. Do NOT take drugs made for animals in any form,” the post says.
While the drug, in smaller doses, is FDA-approved to treat several neglected tropical diseases, including onchocerciasis, helminthiases, and scabies, State Health Officer Dr. Thomas Dobbs recently stated that observational studies show that it has not been helpful when it comes to COVID-19.
“The concentrations that were seen in-vitro that showed efficacy against the virus were 50x higher than can be achievable in humans under safe conditions,” he said.
He also stated a doctor is free to prescribe Ivermectin, but you should never take products specifically designed for animals or anything that comes from a veterinary source.
“Please work with your doctor. This is medical treatment. You wouldn’t get your chemotherapy at a feed store, you wouldn’t treat your pneumonia with your animal’s medication. It can be dangerous to get the wrong dose of medication, especially something that’s meant for a horse or a cow,” Dr. Dobbs said.
The MSDH has continued to stress that, if you contract COVID-19, you’re first move should be getting the monoclonal antibody treatment that is becoming more widely available across the state.
