Ivermectin and Hydroxychloroquine: Unproven Treatments for Covid-19

As the Covid-19 pandemic gripped the nation, approximately 5% of Americans turned to unproven treatments such as Ivermectin and Hydroxychloroquine to combat the virus. Despite the lack of evidence supporting the effectiveness of these medications against Covid-19, a nationwide survey revealed that 6% of respondents reported using either treatment during their infection.

The Controversy Surrounding Ivermectin

Ivermectin is commonly used in humans to treat parasitic worm infections, head lice, and rosacea. Initially hailed as a miraculous remedy due to certain studies suggesting its potential to defeat the virus, experts quickly criticized these studies, citing flawed and unreliable data. They emphasize that there is insufficient evidence to prove any beneficial effects of Ivermectin against Covid-19.

Hydroxychloroquine’s Brief Authorization

Hydroxychloroquine, typically used to treat autoimmune conditions and malaria, was briefly authorized by the FDA as a potential treatment for Covid-19. However, this approval was revoked a few months later after clinical trials found the medication to be ineffective against the virus and posing serious side effects.

The Influence of News Sources

The survey also explored the relationship between individuals’ information sources and their likelihood of using unproven treatments. It revealed that those who relied on Facebook, CNN, Fox News, and MSNBC for news were more inclined to use non-evidence-based treatments for Covid-19. Interestingly, while cable news sources, regardless of their political perspective, were associated with increased odds of using both unproven and FDA-approved antiviral treatments, Facebook stood out by markedly increasing the odds of non-evidence-based treatments.

Political Affiliation and Trust

Conservatives were found to be more likely than liberals to endorse unproven medications like Ivermectin and Hydroxychloroquine. Other factors that contributed to increased endorsement of these treatments included trust in social media, higher scores on the American Conspiracy Thinking Scale, and trust in former President Trump. Additionally, exposure to vaccine misinformation and mistrust in healthcare institutions played a role in the use of these unevidenced drugs.

Study Details

This survey, conducted by researchers from Harvard Medical School and Northeastern University, examined the responses of 13,438 Americans across all 50 states who had previously contracted Covid-19. The participants, mostly females with an average age of 43 years old, were questioned about their use of Ivermectin and Hydroxychloroquine, beliefs in false statements related to Covid vaccination, trust in different institutions, conspiratorial thinking tendencies, and their chosen news sources.

This study, published in JAMA Health Forum, sheds light on the alarming trend of Americans resorting to unproven treatments for Covid-19. It highlights the potential influence of certain news sites and underscores the importance of relying on evidence-based information and trusting reputable healthcare institutions.

Source: Daily Mail