The Washington State Department of Health warns people should not take ivermectin to prevent or treat COVID-19.
A Health Alert Network advisory released today by the CDC says that the anti-parasitic drug is approved by the FDA to treat for some parasites and skin conditions, but that evidence shows it is ineffective against treating COVID-19, with side-effects that are potentially dangerous.
The FDA has received multiple reports of people who were hospitalized after self-medicating with ivermectin, and the agency wants to reiterate getting vaccinated is the most safe and effective way to protect yourself against COVID-19.