Do Not Use Ivermectin Intended for Animals as Treatment for COVID-19 in Humans, State and Federal Agencies Warn
Recently, the drug has gained some attention due to a pre-publication paper for the journal Antiviral Research. The paper documents how SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19) responded to ivermectin when exposed in a petri dish. Ivermectin was not given to people or animals in this study.
“We understand Michiganders’ concerns about COVID-19 and the desire to find a cure quickly,” said Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, chief medical executive and chief deputy for health. “However, there are no approved preventive medications for COVID-19 in humans, and we do not want anyone being harmed by taking medications inappropriately. Staying home and practicing good public health practices like washing hands frequently, wearing a homemade mask if you must go out, and covering coughs and sneezes appropriately is the best way to slow the spread of COVID-19.”
Warnings from these state agencies follow similar warnings from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, which sent a letter to stakeholders on April 10.
The FDA has established a cross-agency task force dedicated to closely monitoring for fraudulent COVID-19 products. Products that claim to prevent, diagnose, treat, or cure COVID-19 are subject to FDA investigation and potential enforcement action if they have not demonstrated safety and effectiveness for that intended use.
To report anyone claiming to have a product to prevent or cure COVID-19, send an email to FDA-COVID-19-Fraudulent-Products@fda.hhs.gov or call 888- InfoFDA (888-463-6332).
Additional Resources:
- Animal Health & Safety and the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
- FDA Letter to Stakeholders: Do Not Use Ivermectin Intended for Animals as Treatment for COVID-19 in Humans
- FAQ: COVID-19 and Ivermectin Intended for Animals
Information around this outbreak is changing rapidly. The latest information is available at Michigan.gov/Coronavirus and CDC.gov/Coronavirus.