UC Medical Director Warning Public Against Ivermectin Usage

Upper Cumberland Regional Medical Director Dr. Don Grisham is warning the public against treating COVID with Ivermectin.

Grisham said the drug is used by veterinarians to treat animal parasites like heartworms and roundworms. Grisham said the FDA, CDC and WHO have all issued statements saying Ivermectin is not authorized or approved to treat COVID.

“The side effects of Ivermectin that they’ve been seeing in humans,” Grisham said. “Range from nausea and vomiting and diarrhea, to drops in blood pressure, seizures, coma and even death.”

Grisham said the drug is not meant for humans. However, he said misinformation has been spread saying Ivermectin can not only treat but even prevent COVID.

Grisham said that within the last month, an urgent health advisory has had to be sent out.

“It’s so dangerous that on August 26, just a few weeks ago the CDC sent out an urgent health advisory to all medical providers,” Grisham said. “Stating that the use of Ivermectin to treat COVID could result in severe illnesses. So again, it is not a drug that we recommend and it’s not a drug intended for human use.”