A horse deworming drug has been a topic of conversation lately as it has become more commonly used in the treatment of COVID-19. 

Ivermectin, an anti-parasitic drug, has been shown in some studies to reduce the severity of COVID-19 symptoms.

“Ivermectin seems to interfere with binding of the COVID-19 virus to host cell receptors, which would probably decrease the likelihood of severe disease development by limiting the number of infected cells,” biology teacher Amy Baker said. “The drug also interferes with some of the steps in the so-called ‘cytokine storm’  that sometimes kills patients with severe cases of COVID-19.”

Special assignment aid Kayelynne Ramirez recently recovered from COVID-19 and took Ivermectin.

“I could tell that the medicine was working because my taste and smell would come, then go,” Ramirez said. “I also could tell the impact it had on my energy.” 

Here use of the drug has become so popular that stores like Atwoods and Tractor Supply are often out of stock.

“I went to purchase Ivermectin the other day for actual deworming, and I could not find any because of COVID right now,” horticulture teacher Kim Spaulding said. “Buying it straight from cattle stores, then researching the dosage is hit or miss.”