Banner poison center sees ‘very concerning’ ivermectin trend
Sep 15, 2021, 4:00 PM | Updated: Sep 16, 2021, 11:19 am
PHOENIX – Banner Health’s poison center managed 10 cases in August involving ivermectin, a drug some people are using in an effort to treat or prevent COVID-19 despite health experts’ warnings, including several requiring hospitalization.
“Ivermectin is not usually something that our poison center gets many calls about, so this is very concerning to us to see this growing trend,” Dr. Marjorie Bessel, Banner Health chief clinical officer, said Wednesday during a press call.
Bessel said vaccines remain the best way to prevent serious illness or death from COVID-19.
“If you are concerned about COVID, please contact your primary care provider,” she said. “And if you have not yet been vaccinated, please protect yourself, your friends and your family around you by getting vaccinated.”
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Banner Health, Arizona’s largest health care system and largest employer, doesn’t prescribe ivermectin for COVID-19, Bessel said.
“Ivermectin is not an FDA-approved treatment for COVID,” she said.
“Clinical trials are ongoing to assess the effectiveness of ivermectin for COVID, but at this time, there are no clear findings that have been released that confirm that this drug is safe or an effective form of treatment or prophylaxis for COVID.”
Ivermectin is approved in humans to treat some ailments caused by parasitic worms.
There’s also a version for livestock, which Bessel said can be dangerous for humans to consume.
“We strongly recommend against any individual out there going and purchasing ivermectin from stores that have that on sale for livestock,” she said. “The dosage of that can be very detrimental to your health.”
The Food and Drug Administration says improper use of ivermectin can cause a variety of side effects, including vomiting, diarrhea, seizures and liver injury.
Bassel said COVID-19 patients have a safe, effective treatment available called monoclonal antibodies.
“Monoclonal antibodies received emergency use authorization from the FDA late last year and have been proven to safely prevent hospitalizations and reduce severity of COVID symptoms,” she said.
