Two dead after taking ivermectin in New Mexico

Two people have died in New Mexico after taking horse and other livestock dewormer medication to treat COVID-19, officials said.

David Scrase, the acting head of the state’s health department, said both patients were infected with the virus and attempted to treat it on their own with the antiparasitic drug ivermectin.

“The jury is out on ivermectin. It is not recommended by the FDA for this COVID treatment indication, ”Scrase said at a press briefing last week.

The patients who died were 38 and 79 years old and in one of the cases the drug caused kidney failure, Scrase said.

“I know one of the patients had a pretty serious problem with COVID… The patient was on dialysis and the ivermectin was basically taken instead of or in place of effective treatments,” he said.

The Food and Drug Administration has warned of people taking the drug for horses, cows and other large livestock after several reports of hospitalizations.

“You are not a horse,” FDA officials tweeted. “You are not a cow. Seriously, all of you. Stop that.”