Ivermectin, an anti-parasitic medication commonly used to treat river blindness and other conditions, has re-emerged in public conversation as unverified claims about its efficacy against COVID-19 circulate on social media platforms. Medical experts across India are urging caution against self-medication.
The drug gained notoriety during the pandemic's peak when desperate patients and some practitioners promoted it as a potential treatment. However, multiple large-scale studies, including those by the World Health Organization and the Indian Council of Medical Research, found no conclusive evidence supporting its use against coronavirus. The ICMR removed ivermectin from national treatment guidelines in September 2021.
In Bihar, where the drug was widely distributed during the second wave, health officials report sporadic instances of patients seeking ivermectin prescriptions based on renewed online chatter. Dr Ramesh Kumar, a Patna-based physician, noted that misinformation spreads faster than scientific facts. "We must rely on peer-reviewed research, not social media trends," he emphasized.
Health authorities continue to stress that approved vaccines and evidence-based treatments remain the most effective tools against COVID-19 and its variants. The Bihar State Health Society has advised citizens to consult registered medical practitioners before taking any medication, warning that inappropriate use of ivermectin can cause serious side effects including liver damage and neurological complications.