HEALTH ALERT: Increased Ivermectin Emergency Calls

The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) issued a health advisory on August 26, 2021, regarding the improper use of ivermectin to treat or prevent COVID-19 infection by the public.

The DSHS recommends 'people take ivermectin only when prescribed by their healthcare provider and take it exactly as prescribed. This is because large doses of ivermectin can cause serious harm.'

In August 2021, the Texas Poison Center Network (TPCN) experienced a more than 150% increase in the number of calls received about ivermectin exposures compared with the previous month.

From January to August 24, 2021, the TPCN received a total of 159 Ivermectin exposure calls, more than triple the 48 calls received in all of 2020.

The largest number (64) occurred in August 2021.

More than half of the 2021 calls (87) were potential Ivermectin exposure taken in an attempt to treat or prevent COVID-19.

Most of the calls were about people experiencing mild symptoms, but for 33%, the patient was either on the way to a health care facility or was referred to a health care facility, suggesting more severe effects.

Since early July 2021, outpatient ivermectin dispensing has again begun to increase, rapidly reaching more than 88,000 prescriptions in the week ending August 13, 2021. This represents a 24-fold increase from the pre-pandemic baseline, says the U.S. CDC.

Ivermectin is not an anti-viral drug that can treat viral illnesses such as COVID-19. The U.S. FDA has not approved ivermectin for treating or preventing COVID-19.

Ivermectin is an antiparasitic drug that the U.S. FDA approves for topical treatment of head lice and skin conditions such as rosacea. It is also approved to treat parasitic worms (intestinal strongyloidiasis, onchocerciasis, and helminthiases) and scabies.

Some Ivermectin forms can be used to treat parasites in animals but are different than the forms for people and should only be used in animals.

The adverse effects of taking ivermectin may include skin rash, pruritis, nausea, diarrhea, stomach pain, facial or limb swelling. In addition, neurological effects such as dizziness, confusion, and seizures have also been documented.

Moreover, ivermectin can interact with other medications, such as blood thinners, leading to vomiting, low blood pressure, allergic reactions, dizziness, problems with balance, seizures, coma, and even death.