Ever since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, people have been scrambling for a cure for the highly contagious coronavirus, and have even moved towards drugs that have not been approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration. One such drug has been Ivermectin. 

According to US media reports, multiple studies and researches show that Ivermectin, an antiparasitic drug, has little to no impact when it comes to treating COVID-19.

What is Ivermectin?

According to the United States Food and Drug Administration, Ivermectin is used to treat conditions that are caused by parasitic worms. These conditions include intestinal strongyloidiasis and onchocerciasis. 

The drug is also sometimes used to treat heartworm disease and certain internal and external parasites in animals, mainly livestock.

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Why are people consuming Ivermectin?

The usage of the drug picked up pace in the United States after Dr Pierre Kory spoke in favour of it at a Senate Homeland Security Committee meeting. 

She said, “Ivermectin is highly safe, widely available, and low cost.” Dr Kory also cited data collected from clinical studies and clinical trials and said “ivermectin is effectively a ‘miracle drug’ against COVID-19”, according to reports from CNET.

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Government agencies on the usage of Ivermectin

The United States Food and Drug Administration says that consumption of Ivermectin can be dangerous as of now as not enough data has been collected on the drug and the impact it can have on the human body, specifically those who have tested positive for COVID-19.

A release from the Food and Drug Administration read, “The FDA has not reviewed data to support the use of ivermectin in COVID-19 patients to treat or to prevent COVID-19; however, some initial research is underway. Taking a drug for an unapproved use can be very dangerous.”

Influential podcast host Joe Rogan, who has denounced and dismissed coronavirus vaccines on multiple occasions, on Wednesday announced that he has tested positive for COVID-19. He said in a social media post that in addition to a vitamin drip, he had also been consuming the controversial drug Ivermectin.