Though ivermectin helps to treat certain infections caused by parasites, there is no evidence that it helps treat COVID-19.

Several large studies, including this one published in The New England Journal of Medicine (http://ow.ly/phwP50JGgjq), found that ivermectin did not lower rates of hospital admission or provide other benefits in treatment of COVID-19.

Worse yet, ivermectin can make some people sick. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, blurred vision, dizziness, increased heart rate, low blood pressure, hallucinations, confusion, loss of coordination and seizures. Some people have also gotten sick by swallowing ivermectin products intended for use on skin (e.g., lotions and creams) or for use in animals.

Long story short: if other medicines are proven to help fight COVID-19 infection, and ivermectin can make some people sick, why take the chance? If you think you have COVID-19, talk to your health care provider (or call 211 if you don’t have one).

To learn more about treatments authorized and approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for COVID-19, visit http://ow.ly/N0PB50JGgjo.