Ivermectin ‘not clinically useful’ against COVID in new study: McMaster University researcher
Published March 21, 2022 at 2:15 pm
The antiparasitic drug Ivermectin has been championed as a treatment for COVID-19 by prominent influencers and politicians, notably by those who railed against the approved vaccines. However, a new study presented by a professor of health sciences at Hamilton’s McMaster University indicates that horse dewormer is no more effective than a placebo at preventing hospitalizations in patients with COVID.
The study was the largest yet for the drug, involving nearly 1,400 patients with the virus.
Dr. Edward Mills presented the peer-reviewed study at a forum sponsored by the National Institutes of Health.
“There was no indication that Ivermectin is clinically useful,” Mills told the Wall Street Journal.
“This is the first large, prospective study that should really help put to rest Ivermectin and not give any credibility to the use of it for COVID-19,” Peter Hotez, who reviewed the findings and is the dean of the National School of Tropical Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine, told the Journal.
The drug has been baselessly lauded as a coronavirus treatment, leading many livestock suppliers to run out.
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Both Health Canada nor the FDA have authorized the usage of Ivermectin to prevent or treat COVID-19.
“If you have purchased ivermectin for this purpose, discard it immediately,” says Health Canada on its website.
“Never use medications intended for animals on yourself or other people,” it adds. “Animal ivermectin products are very different from those approved for humans. Use of animal ivermectin for the prevention or treatment of COVID-19 in humans is dangerous.”
Reports to poison centres concerning Ivermectin as a prevention or treatment for COVID-19 increased last year.
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