In the realm of potential COVID-19 treatments, one drug that has stirred up a lot of controversy is ivermectin. This comprehensive review is designed to evaluate the media coverage and cultural turmoil surrounding ivermectin during the COVID era. We'll review the history of ivermectin as a breakthrough drug for human health, ivermectin’s potential use as a COVID-19 therapeutic, and the propaganda campaign waged against ivermectin during the pandemic.
Quick Facts About Ivermectin
• Ivermectin was developed in the late 1970s and was introduced as a highly effective anti-parasitic for animals in 1981[1]
• Ivermectin was first used in humans to treat onchocerciasis (river blindness) in 1988[1]
• Ivermectin has since been referred to as a "wonder drug", becoming a highly effective, broad-spectrum, safe and well tolerated antiparasitic treatment for billions of people worldwide[2]
• Dr. William C. Campbell and Professor Satoshi Omura were awarded the 2015 Nobel Prize for their roles in discovering and developing ivermectin[3]
• Ivermectin is on the WHO’s List of Essential Medicines[4]
• Ivermectin has been used safely in men, women, and children as young as 14 months[1][5]
Understanding Ivermectin: A Closer Look at its Medical Merits
It’s important to provide context for ivermectin’s far-reaching medical use on a global scale, long before COVID-19 appeared. Ivermectin has earned acclaim for its diverse applications in both animal and human health. Below is a summary of the compelling attributes of ivermectin that contributed to its positive reputation as a revolutionary medication.
Antiparasitic Success
Ivermectin has been a stalwart in global health efforts for decades. It has been instrumental in combating Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs), such as onchocerciasis (river blindness) and lymphatic filariasis (elephantiasis), scabies, and even head lice, significantly reducing these debilitating diseases in affected populations.[3]
Proven Safety Profile
Ivermectin’s extensive use in treating parasitic infections attests to its well-established safety record. Around 250 million people take ivermectin each year to combat parasitic disease, primarily in remote areas of the globe where there is no access to modern healthcare.[2]
Nobel Prize-Worthy Impact
In 2015, the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was awarded to William C. Campbell and Satoshi Ōmura for discovering Ivermectin's efficacy against parasitic diseases.[3] This prestigious recognition underscores the drug's monumental impact on public health.
Affordable Treatment Option
Ivermectin's cost-effectiveness as a generic drug further enhances its appeal as a medical intervention. Its affordability has facilitated widespread distribution via drug donation programs, particularly in regions grappling with endemic parasitic infections.[2]
Global Impact
Ivermectin's positive impact on human health extends globally, especially in resource-limited settings where parasitic infections are prevalent. Its availability and effectiveness make it an invaluable tool in public health initiatives to eradicate disease.
By appreciating ivermectin's storied history, robust efficacy, and ongoing contributions to global health, it becomes evident that this medication is far more than just a "horse dewormer”.[6]
Turning to Ivermectin as a Potential COVID Treatment
Early in the pandemic, doctors around the world searched for existing therapeutics that might help combat COVID-19. It is both logical and reasonable that ivermectin would be investigated as a viable option, especially considering its safety record, affordability, and widespread availability. Furthermore, some research on ivermectin showed promising antiviral activity.
Antiviral Properties
Beyond its antiparasitic prowess, ivermectin has exhibited broad-spectrum antiviral activity in laboratory studies. In vitro research suggests its potential efficacy against various viruses, including certain RNA and DNA viruses.[9] Researchers also suggested that ivermectin's antiviral properties have potential benefits for COVID-19 treatment.[7] Furthermore, a systematic review published in June of 2020[8] reviewed all available antiviral data on ivermectin from 1970 to 2020. The data showed promise for ivermectin as an antiviral agent in vitro and in animals, but there were no human clinical trials available at the time to confirm whether or not ivermectin would be an effective treatment for COVID-19 infections in humans.
Off-Label Prescriptions
Considering a decent amount of research existed to support ivermectin's antiviral properties, it's no wonder doctors turned to ivermectin as a potential therapeutic treatment for COVID patients early in the pandemic. This strategy initially appeared successful, with doctors coming forward on social media and various news outlets to share their experiences treating patients with ivermectin in their clinical practices.
Although ivermectin is approved by the FDA as an antiparasitic drug, it is not approved by the FDA for the treatment of any viral infection, including COVID-19. It’s important to keep in mind that, although the FDA is responsible for drug regulation, the FDA does not regulate the practice of medicine. It is not only legal, but commonplace for physicians to prescribe drugs for "off-label" use if they believe it is in the best interest of their patients.
Early COVID-19 Research
With a promising outlook, studies began exploring the effectiveness of ivermectin in treating COVID-19. Research published in June of 2020 showed that ivermectin inhibited the replication of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in vitro, showcasing its relevance in the ongoing pursuit of effective treatments.[10] A human study published in December of 2020 administered a 5-day course of ivermectin, which was found to be safe and effective in treating adult patients with mild COVID-19.[11]
Delegitimization Attempts
The corporate media and medical establishment's attempts to demonize ivermectin early in the pandemic is puzzling. Despite its lauded history, proven safety record, and well-documented antiviral properties, a narrative emerged around ivermectin that attempted to undermine its credibility and scare people away from utilizing it as a treatment for COVID – even with a doctor’s prescription.
Had the corporate media simply reported on the facts of ivermectin honestly, there wouldn’t have been any controversy. Instead, the whole issue became politicized, with the left blaming the right for pushing medical “conspiracy theories”, and many medical practitioners being silenced or outright banned from public discourse on various social media platforms.
The FDA's Misleading Tweet
On Aug 21st, 2021, the FDA tweeted in reference to ivermectin: “You are not a horse. You are not a cow. Seriously, y'all. Stop it.” This characterization by the FDA, implying that ivermectin was nothing more than a drug for animals, marked a pivotal moment in the controversy surrounding the drug.
The FDA's tweet contributed to a distorted public perception of ivermectin. This misrepresentation fueled the controversy and obscured the fact that ivermectin was a pivotal and credible medication for human use since the 1980s, endorsed for its safety and efficacy in treating parasitic infections.
By solely framing it as a medicine for horses and cows, the FDA effectively lied to the public. This was a huge failure of public trust, and was perceived as malicious and intentional by those who already fostered a growing distrust in our public institutions.
Joe Rogan Controversy
On September 1st, 2021, Joe Rogan posted a video to his Instagram account explaining that he had contracted COVID. During the video, Rogan described his treatment efforts, including monoclonal antibodies, ivermectin, prednisone, IV drips, etc. He said he recovered and felt better within 3 days.
Rogan’s video post flew directly in the face of what the FDA had tweeted just 10 days earlier. One of the most popular media figures in the world had found success in treating COVID with multiple therapeutics, including ivermectin. Immediately, left-wing media outlets jumped on the story in an attempt to delegitimize Rogan’s personal experience.
CNN's Editing Controversy
Joe Rogan accused CNN of altering his video to make him appear sickly while discussing ivermectin. You can see in the comparison below, how CNN edited the color of the video to make Joe Rogan's skin look gray and abnormal on their national broadcast. CNN's decision to edit Rogan's video fueled further suspicions around mainstream media integrity.
This incident highlights the media bias against independent voices that stray from the mainstream narrative. CNN's editing choice, when analyzed in conjunction with the larger discourse on alternative COVID treatments, makes it clear that those who dare to speak against the narrative will be attacked.
Political Propaganda
While ivermectin's potential effectiveness against COVID-19 was unknown at the time, it's crucial to differentiate between cautious scientific evaluation and outright demonization.
Labeling ivermectin as "dangerous" was, and is, blatantly false. The portrayal of ivermectin as a dangerous medicine meant only for horses was a malicious attempt to delegitimize the drug while ignoring its longstanding safety record as an effective medicine for humans. Obviously, a distinction should be made between dosing for animals and appropriate dosing for humans. However, that is the job of a medical doctor when issuing prescription medications.
Ultimately, the coverage of ivermectin in mainstream media deserves scrutiny, especially when diverging perspectives exist within the medical community. Doctors who reported success in treating patients with ivermectin were demonized as medical quacks. Rather than simply reporting the facts of what we knew and what didn't know at the time, the mainstream media chose to politicize ivermectin and spread misinformation, further eroding public trust.
Summary and Main Takaways
• Ivermectin had a golden reputation as a human “wonder drug” prior to COVID-19
• Doctors around the world turned ivermectin as a possible therapeutic for COVID-19 based on its prior merits and documented antiviral activity
• Left-wing media outlets demonized anyone who recommended ivermectin as a COVID treatment
• The FDA took a controversial and dishonest stance on ivermectin, claiming it was just veterinary medicine
• Human studies on ivermectin as a treatment for COVID-19 are mixed and plagued with controversy
At the time of the publication of this article, we do not have robust evidence from human clinical trials that ivermectin is an effective COVID-19 treatment. However, there also isn’t any evidence to suggest that ivermectin is “dangerous” when prescribed by your doctor. With the benefit of hindsight, the overall picture suggests that, at best, ivermectin may have been helpful as a COVID therapeutic for some patients and, at worst, it may have done nothing. Either way, it's clear that ivermectin did not deserve the bad-faith demonization or political controversy it received during the COVID era.
Update March 22, 2024
The FDA has settled a lawsuit from several doctors who sued to stop the FDA from giving unlawful medical advice about the off-label use of ivermectin to treat or prevent COVID-19. As part of the settlement, the FDA was required to delete several misleading social media posts, including the infamous "you are not a horse" tweet.[6][12]
References
1. Crump, Andy, and Satoshi Ōmura. “Ivermectin, 'wonder drug' from Japan: the human use perspective.” Proceedings of the Japan Academy. Series B, Physical and biological sciences vol. 87,2 (2011): 13-28. doi:10.2183/pjab.87.13
2. Crump, A. Ivermectin: enigmatic multifaceted ‘wonder’ drug continues to surprise and exceed expectations. J Antibiot 70, 495–505 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1038/ja.2017.11
3. https://doiserbia.nb.rs/img/doi/0042-8450/2015/0042-84501511951M.pdf
4. WHO Model List of Essential Medicines - 23rd list, 2023
5. del Mar Sáez-De-Ocariz, M et al. “Treatment of 18 children with scabies or cutaneous larva migrans using ivermectin.” Clinical and experimental dermatology vol. 27,4 (2002): 264-7. doi:10.1046/j.1365-2230.2002.01050.x
6. https://x.com/MdBreathe/status/1771023714584273015
7. Li N, Zhao L, Zhan X. Quantitative proteomics reveals a broad-spectrum antiviral property of ivermectin, benefiting for COVID-19 treatment. J Cell Physiol. 2021; 236: 2959–2975. https://doi.org/10.1002/jcp.30055
8. Heidary, F., Gharebaghi, R. Ivermectin: a systematic review from antiviral effects to COVID-19 complementary regimen. J Antibiot 73, 593–602 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41429-020-0336-z
9. Heidary, Fatemeh, and Reza Gharebaghi. “Ivermectin: a systematic review from antiviral effects to COVID-19 complementary regimen.” The Journal of antibiotics vol. 73,9 (2020): 593-602. doi:10.1038/s41429-020-0336-z
10. Leon Caly, Julian D. Druce, Mike G. Catton, David A. Jans, Kylie M. Wagstaff,
The FDA-approved drug ivermectin inhibits the replication of SARS-CoV-2 in vitro, Antiviral Research, Volume 178, 2020, 104787, ISSN 0166-3542, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.antiviral.2020.104787
11. A five-day course of ivermectin for the treatment of COVID-19 may reduce the duration of illness. Ahmed, Sabeena et al. International Journal of Infectious Diseases, Volume 103, 214 - 216. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijid.2020.11.191
12. Boyden Gray PLLC: FDA Agrees to Remove “You Are Not A Horse” Posts In First-of-its-Kind Win for Doctors