Drug used for horses makes its way to prescriptions for COVID-19 patients

FORT MYERS, Fla .– A drug commonly given to horses is now making its way onto the prescriptions of patients battling COVID-19 in southwest Florida.

The drug is called Ivermectin, and it has been around since the 1980s. Ivermectin is approved to treat scabies or bedbugs in humans.

Dr Sunil Lalla, intensive care pulmonologist at Lee Health, writes scripts to help patients with COVID-19.

“We are using it on patients with long-term COVID,” said Dr. Lalla. “It is a generally safe drug which has been used all over the world for parasitic infections.”

About a dozen of his patients with long-term COVID-19 of six months or more use ivermectin to help control their symptoms. However, this carries a risk.

“They are advised that this is not an FDA approved drug at all,” he said. “The patient receives informed consent.

The point is, ivermectin is not approved for the treatment of COVID-19. Both the CDC and the FDA advise against its use, but that doesn’t stop people. While the vaccine is recommended, ivermectin is what is flying off the shelves.

“Right now this is the hot new drug that we sell a lot,” said TJ DePaola of Cypress Pharmacy. “We have probably sold more in the last two months than in 5 years. “

This is where the real danger comes in. Rumors on social media say that the horse version of ivermectin is safe, but experts have said otherwise.

“It’s based on weight and there is a difference between, obviously, the weight of a human and the weight of a thoroughbred,” said DePaola.

“The doses that are given to horses are definitely toxic to humans,” added Dr Lalla. “I don’t allow it at all.”

Studies are underway, Dr Lalla said, on Ivermectin to prevent COVID-19. Until approved, the best way to beat the virus?

“Take the vaccine,” Dr Lalla said.