2 Negros medical groups urge doctors, public to stop using Ivermectin for COVID-19

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BACOLOD CITY––Two Negros-based medical groups are urging physicians and the public to stop prescribing and using Ivermectin for COVID-19.

The Philippine Society for Microbiology and Infectious Diseases–Western Visayas Bacolod and Philippine College of Physicians-Negros Occidental Chapter stressed in a health advisory on Nov. 10 that Ivermectin is not approved for COVID-19 prevention and treatment.

“We remind the public that there is currently no prophylactic medication that can supersede the benefit of COVID-19 vaccination,” the advisory said.

The two groups reiterated the joint policy statements by the Philippine Society for Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Philippine College of Physicians, and other medical societies against its use because of the alarming cases of neurotoxicity seen among some COVID-19 patients in the city that were on high doses of Ivermectin.

“Ivermectin has not been seen in well-designed randomized control trials to have significantly reduced the risk of mortality among mild to severe COVID-19 patients,” the two groups said.

“It has also not significantly reduced the duration of hospitalization,” they added.

Adverse effects of Ivermectin include dizziness, nausea, headaches, seizures, and neurotoxicity.

“We have been seeing patients with profound dizziness, making them unable to stand up, significant behavioral changes and confusion,” they added.

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