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Public Health Alert: A Warning Against Using Ivermectin for COVID-19

Last Updated on September 21, 2021 6:32 pm

Public health alert warning against the use of ivermectin for COVID-19 from AppHealthCare.

See below for ivermectin notice from NC DHHS regarding concerns with this medication’s use for treating COVID-19. It is important to note that ivermectin is not approved or authorized for preventing or treating COVID-19 in humans or animals. NC DHHS notes increased prescriptions for ivermectin as well as an increase in poison control calls and visits to the Emergency Departments due to incorrect usage. Signs and symptoms of ivermectin toxicity include gastrointestinal effects (nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea), headache, blurred vision, dizziness, tachycardia, low blood pressure, visual hallucinations, altered mental status, confusion, loss of coordination and balance, central nervous system depression, and seizures. If someone has taken ivermectin and is experiencing symptoms, please seek medical treatment and call the NC Poison Control Center hotline at 1-800-222-1222.

We urge the community to not use medications or drugs like ivermectin that are not intended to be used for preventing or treating COVID-19. We understand that people want a quick fix but use of this medication outside of its intended use could lead to harmful effects. Monoclonal antibodies are authorized by the FDA as a treatment for COVID-19.

The best prevention of COVID-19 are the vaccines so we urge those who are unvaccinated to get a vaccine. The vaccines are safe, effective and continue to help prevent severe illness, hospitalization and death.

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