Why is Ivermectin not much more popular?
Despite the initial hype and attention that ivermectin (Iverheal) received as a potential treatment for COVID-19, it has not gained widespread acceptance or popularity for several important reasons. These include the lack of robust evidence supporting its efficacy, safety concerns, the availability of more effective vaccines and treatments, and clear warnings from health authorities. Let’s explore these factors in detail:
Daftar Isi
1. Lack of Scientific Evidence for COVID-19
The primary reason ivermectin has not become more popular is the absence of solid scientific evidence proving that it works to prevent or treat COVID-19. While some early studies suggested that ivermectin might have antiviral properties, these studies were conducted in vitro (in a lab setting, using cell cultures) with very high concentrations of the drug. The doses used in these studies far exceed what is safe for human consumption.
Subsequent clinical trials in humans did not replicate these positive findings. Most of the well-conducted studies have shown that ivermectin has no significant benefit in reducing mortality, hospitalization, or symptom severity in COVID-19 patients. Major health authorities, including the World Health Organization (WHO), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), have reviewed the available data and concluded that ivermectin is not effective against COVID-19.
Without strong clinical evidence, most doctors and medical professionals have not embraced ivermectin as a viable treatment option, making it less popular in mainstream medicine.
2. Safety Concerns and Risk of Misuse
While ivermectin is approved for treating certain parasitic infections in humans (such as river blindness and intestinal strongyloidiasis), it is not approved for viral infections like COVID-19. Some people have turned to veterinary formulations of ivermectin, which are used to treat animals like horses and livestock. These versions of the drug are formulated in much higher doses than those used for humans and can lead to serious side effects when misused.
The misuse of veterinary ivermectin has led to poisoning and hospitalizations, especially in people who self-medicated with large doses. Symptoms of ivermectin overdose include:
- Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
- Low blood pressure
- Dizziness, confusion, and difficulty breathing
- Seizures and even coma in extreme cases
The FDA and other health agencies have issued multiple warnings about the dangers of using non-human formulations of ivermectin, further reducing its popularity as a treatment option.
3. Availability of Proven Alternatives
One of the main reasons ivermectin has not become more popular is the availability of vaccines and approved treatments that have been shown to be safe and effective in the fight against COVID-19. Vaccines such as those developed by Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson have been thoroughly tested in large-scale clinical trials and have shown to be effective in preventing severe illness, hospitalization, and death from COVID-19.
Additionally, new treatments, such as Paxlovid (an antiviral pill), remdesivir, and monoclonal antibodies, have also received emergency use authorization and approval for treating COVID-19. These treatments have been shown to help reduce the severity of the illness, especially in high-risk patients.
With proven vaccines and therapies available, the need for unproven treatments like ivermectin has diminished. Most people, guided by public health recommendations, have opted for these approved interventions, leaving ivermectin as a less popular option.
4. Warnings from Health Authorities
Health organizations, including the WHO, FDA, and European Medicines Agency (EMA), have all clearly stated that ivermectin should not be used to treat COVID-19 outside of clinical trials. The FDA, in particular, has been vocal about the risks associated with self-medicating with ivermectin, especially with animal formulations.
These authoritative bodies have urged doctors and the public to rely on evidence-based treatments rather than experimental or unproven therapies. As a result, ivermectin has not been widely adopted by mainstream medical professionals or health systems, limiting its popularity.
5. Controversy and Misinformation
The use of ivermectin to treat COVID-19 has become highly politicized and controversial, especially in some countries. Certain political groups, public figures, and media personalities have promoted ivermectin as a potential cure for COVID-19, sometimes in opposition to vaccines and other proven treatments. This has created a divide between those who trust official medical guidance and those who turn to alternative sources of information.
The spread of misinformation on social media has fueled some of the interest in ivermectin, but it has also led to confusion and skepticism. For many, the association of ivermectin with conspiracy theories and anti-establishment narratives has reduced its credibility as a legitimate treatment option, keeping it from gaining wider acceptance in mainstream healthcare.
6. Lack of Endorsement from Medical Professionals
Most healthcare professionals have not endorsed the use of ivermectin for COVID-19, largely due to the lack of evidence and the availability of better treatment options. In the medical community, treatments are generally only recommended after extensive testing in clinical trials to ensure they are safe and effective.
Since ivermectin has not undergone the same level of rigorous testing for COVID-19 as vaccines and approved antiviral medications, most doctors do not recommend it. The absence of endorsements from respected medical organizations and healthcare providers has contributed to the drug’s lack of popularity.
7. Concerns About Drug Resistance
Another reason ivermectin hasn’t become more popular is the concern over the potential for drug resistance. Ivermectin is an important medication used to treat parasitic infections around the world, particularly in developing countries. There is concern that widespread, inappropriate use of the drug could lead to parasites developing resistance, rendering it less effective for its approved uses.
This concern, combined with the risk of unintended consequences, has made public health officials hesitant to promote ivermectin outside of its approved uses.
8. Controversy in Scientific Research
Some of the early studies that suggested ivermectin might be effective against COVID-19 have been criticized for methodological flaws, such as small sample sizes, lack of control groups, and bias. Some of these studies were later retracted, further undermining the case for ivermectin as a COVID-19 treatment.
In contrast, high-quality, large-scale clinical trials have shown that vaccines and approved antiviral treatments are effective. The scientific community tends to prioritize well-conducted research, and since the evidence supporting ivermectin is weak or flawed, it has not gained the same level of acceptance.
9. Negative Media Attention
Ivermectin has also been the subject of negative media coverage, particularly when cases of poisoning or hospitalization due to misuse of the drug have been reported. Stories about people using ivermectin intended for animals or experiencing severe side effects after taking large doses have reinforced the warnings from health authorities and medical professionals.
This negative attention has likely discouraged some people from considering ivermectin as a treatment option, contributing to its limited popularity.
10. Focus on Vaccination Campaigns
Governments and health organizations around the world have invested significant resources into vaccination campaigns, which have been the central strategy for controlling the pandemic. As a result, there has been less focus on unproven treatments like ivermectin, further limiting its popularity.
Public health messaging has emphasized the importance of getting vaccinated to prevent the spread of the virus and reduce severe illness, while alternative treatments like ivermectin have been downplayed due to the lack of supporting evidence.
Conclusion
Ivermectin has not become more popular as a treatment for COVID-19 primarily because of the lack of scientific evidence supporting its use, along with safety concerns, warnings from health authorities, and the availability of more effective alternatives like vaccines and antiviral medications. Despite some interest driven by misinformation and political endorsements, the medical community and mainstream public health organizations continue to advise against its use for COVID-19. As a result, ivermectin remains a fringe treatment rather than a widely accepted solution to the pandemic.
