CDC warns against using anti-parasite drug to treat or prevent COVID-19

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a new health advisory Thursday reiterating that ivermectin does not treat or prevent COVID-19. The drug, which is commonly used to treat parasites in humans and animals, is selling out at veterinary stores and has become a common prescription request across the U.S. 

Ivermectin has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration to treat river blindness, intestinal strongyloidiasis, head lice and rosacea in humans. When used as prescribed for those conditions, it is "generally safe and well tolerated," the CDC said. But the National Institutes of Health has determined there is "insufficient data" to recommend the drug for COVID prevention and treatment, and the FDA has not approved it for such uses either.  Back in March, the FDA published an advisory warning people: "Never use medications intended for animals on yourself. Ivermectin preparations for animals are very different from those approved for humans."