The Ongoing Debate Over Ivermectin: From Farm Use to Medical Controversy
The use of ivermectin, a drug traditionally employed in agriculture, has sparked significant debate, especially in the context of human health. While it has been a staple in animal care for decades, its application in treating human illnesses, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, has led to polarized opinions and misinformation.
MaryJo Perry, who resides near Jackson, Mississippi, has long relied on ivermectin for her livestock. She considers it as routine and reliable as vitamins, stating, “We’ve been using it on the farm for 40 years.” Perry, with a background in animal science, also administers the drug to treat mange in rescued stray dogs, claiming, “I’ve never seen issues with it.”
For humans, ivermectin is known to combat parasitic infections like roundworm, lice, and scabies, and it has shown effectiveness against certain tropical diseases, with potential benefits in malaria treatment as per a recent study.
Initially celebrated for its role in reducing river blindness globally, ivermectin gained attention as a potential treatment for COVID-19. However, subsequent studies debunked its efficacy for this purpose. Despite these findings, misinformation during the pandemic led to a surge in its popularity, with individuals like Perry asserting personal benefits against COVID-19.
The drug’s status as a versatile remedy has grown, particularly in conservative circles, where it is touted as a cure-all, even for cancer, despite insufficient evidence. Several states, including Tennessee, Arkansas, Idaho, Louisiana, and Texas, have moved to make ivermectin available without a prescription, raising concerns among medical professionals about potential misuse.
Ivermectin Prescriptions See a Resurgence
During the pandemic’s early stages, prescriptions for ivermectin soared to levels ten times higher than usual, largely driven by off-label prescriptions. This trend was particularly strong in the Southern U.S. and among older individuals, according to Dr. John Mafi from UCLA. He noted an uptick in prescriptions from 2024, fueled by misinformation and skepticism towards established health authorities.
“It became really a symbol of this sort of alternative right-wing movement to defy what the government institutions are telling you and to trust your own intuition,” Mafi explained. He emphasized that political motivations, rather than scientific evidence, are driving policy changes regarding ivermectin’s availability.
Mafi also warned of the potential side effects in humans, such as dizziness, nausea, and itchy skin. In extreme cases, high doses can even lead to coma or death, according to the FDA.
A Controversial Alternative to Proven Treatments
Recently, the National Cancer Institute, under Anthony Letai, announced ongoing preclinical studies on ivermectin’s impact on cancer cells, although experts remain skeptical of its potential. In Florida, First Lady Casey DeSantis included ivermectin in a $60 million cancer research fund.
Despite lacking evidence supporting its efficacy in human cancer treatment, misinformation continues to influence patient decisions. Oncologist Jonathan Mizrahi from New Orleans has encountered patients declining traditional cancer treatments in favor of ivermectin, influenced by unsupported claims in the media and online.
Mizrahi recounted a patient who opted for ivermectin and another antiparasitic, fenbendazole, over chemotherapy for Stage 4 cancer. Only after observing disease progression did the patient reconsider conventional treatment options.
Mizrahi stressed the importance of understanding patients’ perspectives and the impact of politics on their healthcare choices. “The nature of politics today — where it really does permeate so many dimensions of people’s lives — makes its way into the exam room,” he observed.
Ivermectin’s Journey to Prominence
The rise of ivermectin as a politically charged topic can be traced back to the early pandemic days, as noted by Spanish researcher Carlos Chaccour from the University of Navarra. Initially, the drug’s potential to treat COVID-19 was investigated due to its established safety and accessibility.
In 2020, a company called Surgisphere falsely claimed that ivermectin was effective against COVID-19 based on bogus data, which was slated for publication in The Lancet. This misinformation led several Latin American countries to prematurely endorse the drug as a COVID-19 treatment, alarming Chaccour.
Despite his efforts to verify Surgisphere’s claims, the company evaded accountability. Meanwhile, the drug’s supposed benefits were promoted by influential figures in conservative media, further entrenching its role in the political discourse.
Deepening Polarization
The drug’s reputation was further complicated by the FDA’s dismissive response to its misuse. A tweet advising against its use in humans, “You are not a horse. You are not a cow. Seriously, y’all. Stop it,” was later deleted following a lawsuit from Texas doctors.
Chaccour advocates for a balanced understanding of ivermectin’s role in global health, emphasizing its legitimate benefits while cautioning against its misuse. “It remains a global health miracle today, and it’s threatened by this misuse,” he concluded.
NPR’s Katia Riddle contributed to this report.
Copyright 2026 NPR
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