With studies showing that the use of a parasite drug to treat COVID-19 can potentially have harmful side effects, health experts and medical groups have been pushing to cancel the growing use of it. As the fourth wave of COVID-19 hits the US, an increasing number of people have been reported to turn to Ivermectin, which is a drug used to kill worms and other parasites in humans and animals. 

According to Federal health officials, surge in prescriptions are accompanying cases of overdose. The drug was even given to inmates at a jail in northwest Arkansas for COVID-19, despite federal warnings against that use. 

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It has also been widely used in other countries, including India and Brazil. Republican lawmakers and some conservative doctors and TV hosts have been promoting Ivermectin, especially to those who are against vaccination. The drug has been used widely in countries including India. 

This week, the top US professional groups for doctors and pharmacists appealed for an “immediate end” to the drug’s use outside of research. 

“We are urging physicians, pharmacists, and other prescribers — trusted healthcare professionals in their communities — to warn patients against the use of ivermectin outside of FDA-approved indications and guidance,” said the American Medical Association and two pharmacist groups.

Studies are being done to determine whether the drug affects prevention or treatment of COVID-19. 

The latest plea follows similar warnings from federal and state regulators who are tracking side effects and hospital admissions tied to the drug.

Louisiana and Washington issued alerts after an uptick in calls to poison control centers. 

“There’s just not any good evidence right now suggesting this is a good treatment for treating or preventing COVID-19,” said Randy McDonough, a pharmacist in Iowa City, Iowa 

The FDA has tried to debunk online claims that animal-strength versions of the drug can help fight COVID-19.

“Taking large doses of this drug is dangerous and can cause serious harm,” the FDA warned in a public advisory. “The drug can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, delirium and even death,” said the agency.

By mid-August US pharmacies were filling 88,000 weekly prescriptions for the medication, a 24-fold increase from pre-COVID levels, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Meanwhile, US poison control centers have reported a five time increase in emergency calls due to the ingestion of the drug. 

(With Inputs from Associated Press)