Actor and Covid-19 vaccine sceptic Laurence Fox claims he has been treating himself with the drug Ivermectin after getting coronavirus.
Ivermectin is usually used to fight infections from parasites, on humans and animals, but is not available in either the USA or UK as a treatment for coronavirus. It is arguably best known as a deworming medication for dog and horses, although it can be prescribed to humans to treat parasitic infections and in cream form to alleviate conditions like rosacea.
Podcaster Joe Rogan - currently involved in a controversy over Spotify hosting his show while he is accused of spreading disinformation during the pandemic - is one of the famous names who have claimed to use Ivermectin to help recover from coronavirus.
Read more: How care home rule changes make visits easier
Lewis and White Lines actor Laurence - who announced he had caught Covid-19 four days after posting a picture of him wearing a t-shirt with carrying the slogan "No vaccine needed, I have an immune system" - told his followers on Sunday: "In other news, felt shivery and cr*p yesterday. Turns out I have been visited by Lord Covid at last and have the Omnicold (if the LFT is to be believed!).
"On the #Ivermectin, saline nasal rinse, quercetin, paracetamol and ibuprofen.
"More man flu than Wu-flu at the moment."
Ivermectin is not approved by the UK's Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency or the American Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treating Covid-19, and it can be dangerous if taken in an unregulated way.
But there are trials under way looking into if the drug can be effective Covid-19 treatment.
What is Ivermectin?
Ivermectin is a drug usually used to treat conditions caused by parasitic worms, the American FDA says. It can also be prescribed to treat skin conditions like rosacea, according to the UK's MHRA.
The FDA warns that Ivermectin is prescribed to humans in very specific doses, so it can be dangerous to take if it has not been prescribed to you.
It says: "Even the levels of Ivermectin for approved human uses can interact with other medications, like blood-thinners. You can also overdose on ivermectin, which can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, hypotension (low blood pressure), allergic reactions (itching and hives), dizziness, ataxia (problems with balance), seizures, coma and even death."
Ivermectin is also known as a drug for deworming and treating parasites in animals. It is especially dangerous for humans to take the version of the drug designed for livestock.
It says "The FDA has received multiple reports of patients who have required medical attention, including hospitalization, after self-medicating with ivermectin intended for livestock."
Why have Joe Rogan and Laurence Fox taken ivermectin to treat Covid-19?
Researchers are currently looking into whether Ivermectin can be used to treat Covid-19. A clinical trial launched last year, led by Oxford University, is ongoing, and the drug has been used by other countries.
In the Principle study, people aged 18 to 64 with certain underlying health conditions or shortness of breath from Covid-19, or aged over 65, are eligible to join the trial up to two weeks after a positive test or experiencing symptoms.
Participants are given a three-day course of treatment and then followed up for 28 days with comparisons drawn against those who have been given standard NHS care.
Previous laboratory studies led to a reduction of virus replication and a pilot study showed the drug could also reduce viral load and symptom duration in patients with mild Covid-19.
Professor Chris Butler, from the University of Oxford’s Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, said the study would look to test its efficacy.
Speaking when the study was announced, he said: “Ivermectin is readily available globally, has been in wide use for many other infectious conditions so it’s a well-known medicine with a good safety profile, and because of the early promising results in some studies it is already being widely used to treat Covid-19 in several countries.
“By including Ivermectin in a large-scale trial like Principle, we hope to generate robust evidence to determine how effective the treatment is against Covid-19, and whether there are benefits or harms associated with its use.”
In Japan, the Kowa pharmaceutical company said on Monday January 31 that Ivermectin had an "antiviral effect" against Covid-19 strains, including Omicron, in joint non-clinical research, although the company has yet to provide further details, Reuters reports.
Ivermectin has not been ruled safe for treating Covid
It must be stressed that Ivermectin is not yet approved for treating Covid-19 in the UK. Taking Ivermectin to treat a coronavirus infection could be dangerous, and potentially even fatal.
Currently, the MHRA in the UK and the FDA in the USA say they have not seen enough to convince them that Ivermectin is safe or effective as a treatment for coronavirus. Both urge people not to access the drug through third parties or the black market as it can react with other medications that person may be taking.
The MHRA said in August: "There is currently a clinical trial with Ivermectin ongoing in the UK and results are awaited. For Ivermectin to be granted a marketing authorisation, an application must be submitted to the MHRA for review. A marketing authorisation for an Ivermectin-containing medicine would only be issued based on robust data to show a positive risk benefit for the quality, safety, and efficacy of the product."
Go here for the latest coronavirus updates and breaking Covid-19 news
