Coronavirus: Ohio judge orders hospital to administer ivermectin to COVID-19 patient

CINCINNATI — An Ohio judge has ordered hospital doctors to administer a prescribed dose of ivermectin, typically used to treat livestock for parasites, to a patient infected with COVID-19.

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Butler County Judge Gregory Howard ordered doctors at West Chester Hospital to “immediately administer ivermectin” to Jeffrey Smith, WCPO reported.

Smith’s wife sued after he was placed on a ventilator for 19 days. During that time, Julie Smith asked a doctor about using ivermectin. The doctor supported the treatment and prescribed a 30mg dose for 21 days but hospital staff refused to administer it, WLWT reported.

The drug has become a popular COVID-19 home remedy, despite warnings from the Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention not to use it.

Ivermectin is not an anti-viral medication. It is typically used to treat animals for parasites although smaller dosages can be prescribed for human use. In March, the FDA warned against using the drug after there were reports of people self-medicating using dosages meant for livestock. Taking ivermectin can interact with other drugs like blood thinners. Side effects from too much exposure include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and even death.

The CDC reported Thursday that poison control centers across the country have reported five times as many calls since July because of toxic exposure to ivermectin.

“In some cases, people have ingested ivermectin-containing products purchased without a prescription, including topical formulations and veterinary products,” the CDC said. “Veterinary formulations intended for use in large animals such as horses, sheep, and cattle can be highly concentrated and result in overdoses when used by humans. Animal products may also contain inactive ingredients that have not been evaluated for use in humans.”

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