[Posted 03/05/2021]
Why You Should Not Use Ivermectin to Treat or Prevent COVID-19: Consumer Update
AUDIENCE: Consumer, Health Professional
ISSUE: There seems to be a growing interest in a drug called ivermectin to treat humans with COVID-19. The FDA has not reviewed data to support use of ivermectin in COVID-19 patients to treat or to prevent COVID-19; however, some initial research is underway.
Taking a drug for an unapproved use can be very dangerous. The FDA has received multiple reports of patients who have required medical support and been hospitalized after self-medicating with ivermectin intended for horses.
Even the levels of ivermectin for approved uses can interact with other medications, like blood-thinners. You can also overdose on ivermectin, which can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, hypotension (low blood pressure), allergic reactions (itching and hives), dizziness, ataxia (problems with balance), seizures, coma and even death.
For more information about this consumer update, click on the blue button "Read More" below.
https://reurl.cc/YWkro0
BACKGROUND: Ivermectin tablets are approved by the FDA to treat people with intestinal strongyloidiasis and onchocerciasis, two conditions caused by parasitic worms. In addition, some topical (on the skin) forms of ivermectin are approved to treat external parasites like head lice and for skin conditions such as rosacea.
Some forms of ivermectin are used in animals to prevent heartworm disease and certain internal and external parasites. It's important to note that these products are different from the ones for people, and safe when used as prescribed for animals, only.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
1. FDA has not approved ivermectin for use in treating or preventing COVID-19 in humans. Ivermectin is not an anti-viral (a drug for treating viruses).
2. Taking large doses of this drug is dangerous and can cause serious harm.
3. If you have a prescription for ivermectin for an FDA-approved use, get it from a legitimate source and take it exactly as prescribed.
4. Never use medications intended for animals on yourself. Ivermectin preparations for animals are very different from those approved for humans.
5. Effective ways to limit the spread of COVID-19 continue to be to wear your mask, stay at least 6 feet from others who don't live with you, wash hands frequently, and avoid crowds.
Ivermectin已獲得美國FDA核准，治療患有腸道糞小桿線蟲病和蟠尾絲蟲病（由寄生蟲引起的兩種疾病）之病人。 除此之外，ivermectin的局部外用劑型，亦核准用於治療外部寄生蟲（如頭蝨）和皮膚病（如酒渣鼻）。目前使用ivermectin治療感染COVID-19病人為一新興議題，惟美國FDA尚未審查相關資料以支持ivermectin用於治療或預防COVID-19的角色；然而，一些初步的研究正在進行中。
美國FDA已收到多份病人自行服用動物用的ivermectin進行自我藥物治療後被送往醫院就醫之相關報告，提醒民眾未經醫師處方自行服用藥物存在極大的風險。Ivermectin的某些劑型可用於預防動物的心絲蟲症及一些寄生蟲。請務必注意，ivermectin的動物用藥與人類用藥不同，僅限於動物使用時才安全。另外即使使用核准劑量之ivermectin，也可能與其他藥物（如抗凝血藥品）產生相互作用，而造成ivermectin服用過量，引起噁心、嘔吐、腹瀉、低血壓、過敏反應（癢和蕁麻疹）、暈眩、步履不穩等平衡問題、癲癇發作、昏迷甚至死亡。
建議：
1. 美國FDA未核准ivermectin用於治療或預防人類COVID-19。Ivermectin亦非抗病毒藥品。
2. Ivermectin服用大劑量非常危險，並可能造成嚴重傷害。
3. 若病人經醫師處方ivermectin用於美國FDA核准用途，請從合法來源取得藥品並嚴格遵循醫師處方指示服用。
4. 切勿以動物用藥來治療人類的疾病。用於動物的ivermectin製劑與核准用於人類的製劑有很大不同。
5. 減少COVID-19傳播的有效方法仍然是戴口罩、與非同住者保持至少6英尺（1.8公尺）的距離、經常洗手及避免至人群擁擠的地方。
更多相關訊息與連結請參考FDA網址：https://reurl.cc/YWkro0
資料來源：美國FDA之藥物安全警訊
資料提供：台大醫院藥劑部
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