COCA Now
Ivermectin Products are Not Approved by FDA to Prevent or Treat COVID-19


The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not authorized or approved using ivermectin to prevent or treat COVID-19 in humans and has cautioned about the potential risks of using ivermectin for COVID-19. This medication is FDA-approved to treat certain infections caused by internal and external parasites, but is not authorized or approved by the FDA to prevent or treat COVID-19.

During the COVID-19 pandemic and recent surges of COVID-19 cases, rates of ivermectin prescriptions dispensed from retail pharmacies have increased, as has use of ivermectin-containing veterinary products available over the counter but not intended for human use. U.S. poison control centers have experienced a rise in calls reporting ivermectin misuses and overdoses and reports of more people experiencing adverse effects.

Adverse effects of ivermectin overdose include: 
  • Gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea 
  • Low blood pressure (hypotension)
  • Neurologic effects such as decreased consciousness, confusion, hallucinations, central nervous system depression, seizures, coma, and death
Ivermectin may also increase sedative effects of other medications such as benzodiazepines and barbiturates.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) COVID-19 Treatment Guidelines Panel has determined that there are currently insufficient data to recommend using ivermectin to treat COVID-19. Clinicians and public health practitioners should educate patients about the risks of using ivermectin without an indication or prescription, as well as about the risks of ingesting ivermectin products that are meant solely for external use or veterinary use. COVID-19 vaccination is safe and the most effective means to prevent infection and protect against severe disease and death from SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. Clinicians are strongly encouraged to educate patients to use proven COVID-19 prevention measures, especially getting vaccinated and boosted as soon as eligible, and use FDA-authorized treatment.


The Emergency Risk Communication Branch in the Division of Emergency Operations, Center for Preparedness and Response is responsible for the management of all COCA Products. 
 
For information about this update or other clinical issues, or to send your feedback, please contact us at coca@cdc.gov
Clinician Outreach and Communication Activity—resources for healthcare providers
COCA RSS Feed—subscribe to be notified of conference calls, updates, and CDC guidance for health providers
Crisis & Emergency Risk Communication Training—training program that draws from lessons learned during public health emergencies, and incorporates best practices from the fields of risk and crisis communication
Health Alert Network—CDC's primary method of sharing cleared information about urgent public health incidents with public information officers; federal, state, territorial, and local public health practitioners; clinicians; and public health laboratories

CDC and HHS logos are the exclusive property of the Department of Health and Human Services and may not be used for any purpose without prior express written permission. Use of trade names and commercial sources is for identification only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Links to non-federal organizations are provided solely as a service to our users. Links do not constitute an endorsement of any organization by CDC or the federal government, and none should be inferred. CDC is not responsible for the content of the individual organizations.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

1600 Clifton Rd   Atlanta, GA 30329   1-800-CDC-INFO (800-232-4636)   TTY: 888-232-6348
Questions or Problems  |  Unsubscribe