Using dewormer to treat COVID-19 ‘can be harmful and potentially fatal’

California Poison Control System has received reports of human poisoning cases in San Joaquin County where people ingested livestock deworming medication.

“Less than 10 cases were reported from San Joaquin County. Most patients had no symptoms or minor gastrointestinal symptoms,” Dr. Justin Lewis, director of the California Poison Control System Sacramento Division, said.

Reports of people consuming livestock deworming medication as a prevention and/or treatment for COVID-19 method have been making headlines across the country.

Statewide, about 110 cases of ivermectin — the anti-parasitic drug found in deworming medication — exposures have been reported to the California Poison Control System.

However, “it is likely that number of actual exposures is higher since reporting to the California Poison Control System is voluntary,” Lewis said.

From cases reported in California, 25 (23%) were related to COVID-19, Lewis said.

“Patients report using ivermectin for both preventative and treatment purposes. The California Poison Control System is not aware of any credible evidence that ivermectin is efficacious for the prevention or treatment of COVID-19,” he said. “We advise against the use of veterinary formulations of ivermectin in humans.”

Californians can call the California Poison Control System at 800-2221222 for any questions or concerns regarding ivermectin or any other suspected poisoning 24/7.

San Joaquin County Public Health Services “strongly discourages the use of ivermectin and any nonFDA approved medications as treatment for COVID-19,” Public Health Officer Dr. Maggie Park said.

“Such use can be harmful and potentially fatal. Instead, people should focus more on COVID-19 prevention,” she said. “And the best prevention against severe illness, hospitalization, or death is vaccination.”

When consumed by humans, some side-effects associated with ivermectin include skin rash, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, facial or limb swelling, neurologic adverse events (dizziness, seizures, confusion), sudden drop in blood pressure, severe skin rash potentially requiring hospitalization and liver injury (hepatitis).

“The FDA has received multiple reports of patients who have required medical support and been hospitalized after self-medicating with ivermectin intended for horses,” the agency said.

The Food and Drug Administration — which recently fully authorized the Pfizer vaccine — has not approved ivermectin for use in treating or preventing COVID-19 in humans.

“Taking large doses of this drug is dangerous and can cause serious harm,” their website says.