Many Veterinarians Can’t Find Ivermectin For Their Livestock Patients Due to an Increase in Human Consumption for COVID

The strange saga of COVID-19 and the extreme ways people have found to treat it never fails to entertain, offering some singularly strange and unusual treatment options. Drinking disinfectants and ingesting fish tank cleaning tablets were just a couple of these. For those who buy into some of the so-called “cures,” the results can be harmful if not downright dangerous.

The latest, of course, is the use of the drug Ivermectin. While the medication is used throughout the world for its antiparasitic properties in both humans and animals, and the FDA has approved the human form for the treatment of some parasitic worms, head lice, and some skin conditions, here in the United States, it’s most commonly known as a deworming paste for livestock applications.

But this hasn’t deterred many misinformed individuals from going to the local feed store to pick some up for their own consumption.

In fact, the Nevada state veterinary community is now finding it difficult to get the drug for their animal patients because of that.

What is Ivermectin, and Why is The Veterinary Form Dangerous to Humans?

The veterinary form of Ivermectin is formulated for parasitic prevention and treatment in large animals. These animals usually weigh in at 1,000 to 2,000 pounds. While veterinary Ivermectin is safe for these animals, these doses can be toxic to humans. In addition, other inactive ingredients in these products have never been evaluated for humans.

There are some formulations for humans available by prescription in both oral and topical forms, but these oral forms have far lower doses of Ivermectin.

Getting Advice From Doctors, Not the Internet

Of course, the internet loves to provide information outside medical protocol. This is nothing new. But individuals need to make educated choices for themselves.

While a trial in Egypt showed a 90 percent reduction in COVID-related deaths when Ivermectin was administered to participants, its results were not published in any industry-recognized medical journal, and the findings were later reported as “problematic.” To date, there are no valid scientific studies supporting the efficacy of Ivermectin against COVID.

Nevertheless, some doctors are writing scads of Ivermectin prescriptions for their patients, capitalizing on fear and profits. According to a recent article in Scientific American,

“Ivermectin prescriptions are soaring, topping 88,000 a week in the U.S. last month (compared with an average of 3,600 per week in 2019).”

Fringe groups such as America’s Front Line Doctors and the Front Line COVID-19 Critical Care Alliance tout the use of Ivermectin on their websites, suggesting doses and schedules that are not consistent with those typically prescribed for humans.

Despite warnings, there have been countless cases of Ivermectin poisonings in emergency rooms and calls to poison control centers across the U.S. Two individuals have died in New Mexico from Ivermectin toxicity.

Ivermectin overdose or poisoning can result in

• Hives
• Itching
• Diarrhea
• Low blood pressure
• Loss of balance
• Seizures
• Coma
• Fatality

Legal Liability of Prescribing Off-Label

There may not be legal problems with doctors who prescribe Ivermectin for COVID off-label. This is when a doctor prescribes a drug for something other than what it is approved to treat.

Off-label prescribing is legal and commonly done. Especially in the case where a drug is already FDA approved for other applications, doctors can prescribe medications to patients for different purposes as long as they have the patient’s informed consent.

This requires the physician to inform the patient of the potential risks and benefits of the drug in question, allowing the patient to decide whether the drug is right for them.

Can You Sue a Doctor For Prescribing Ivermectin if You Are Harmed?

While there have been lawsuits pursued against hospitals refusing Ivermectin treatment for COVID patients, we will be watching to see what legal remedies may be available to patients who are harmed by physicians who have prescribed the drug off-label. When a patient has self-medicated with veterinary Ivermectin, however, they are probably on their own.

If you have questions about any potential medical malpractice claim, your best option is to get the skilled advice of a personal injury attorney. Contact our team of Las Vegas personal injury lawyers at LV Personal Injury Lawyer to schedule a complimentary consultation.