Ivermectin: Uses, Risks, and What the Evidence Really Says
When you hear ivermectin, a broad-spectrum antiparasitic medication originally developed for animals and later approved for human use against parasitic worms and skin conditions. Also known as Stromectol, it's one of the most widely distributed drugs in the world for treating river blindness and scabies. But in recent years, it’s become a lightning rod for debate — especially around its use for viral infections like COVID-19. The truth? It works brilliantly for some things, and not at all for others. And using it where it’s not proven can be dangerous.
What most people don’t realize is that ivermectin, a drug approved by the FDA and WHO for specific parasitic conditions. Also known as antiparasitic agent, it targets nerve and muscle cells in parasites, paralyzing and killing them. It’s been used safely for decades in millions of people in Africa and Latin America to fight river blindness and strongyloidiasis. But that doesn’t mean it works like a magic bullet for every illness. The off-label use, the practice of prescribing a drug for conditions not officially approved by regulators. Also known as unapproved indication, it became widespread during the pandemic despite lack of solid evidence. Studies claiming benefits for COVID-19 were often small, poorly designed, or later retracted. Major health agencies like the FDA and WHO warn against using it for viral infections outside of clinical trials.
There’s also confusion around dosage. The pills you take for scabies are not the same as the massive doses some people tried to self-administer. Animal formulations are even more dangerous — they contain ingredients meant for livestock, not humans. Taking the wrong dose can lead to nausea, dizziness, low blood pressure, or worse. Even if you’re tempted by online claims, there’s no reliable proof that ivermectin prevents or cures COVID-19, flu, or other viruses. But for its approved uses — treating head lice, intestinal worms, or scabies — it’s still a first-line tool in global health.
What you’ll find in the posts below isn’t hype. It’s real, evidence-based analysis of drugs and treatments — from how ivermectin compares to other antiparasitics to what actually works for conditions like inflammation, lung disease, or mental health. No guesswork. No marketing. Just clear facts about what medications do, when they help, and when they don’t. If you’re trying to figure out whether ivermectin is right for you — or if you’ve heard conflicting stories — these posts will help you cut through the noise.
