It’s hydroxychloroquine the sequel, only this time it involves a pharmaceutical that, in most cases, isn’t intended for human use. There is loads of false information floating around that the horse and cow dewormer ivermectin somehow cures COVID. The chain of misinformation on the livestock medication has gotten so bad that this week both the FDA and CDC issued warnings.

In a post, the FDA wrote,“You are not a horse. You are not a cow. Seriously, y’all. Stop it.”

“There’s a lot of misinformation around, and you may have heard that it’s okay to take large doses of ivermectin. That is wrong.”

In a health advisory, the CDC added, “Ivermectin is not authorized or approved by FDA for prevention or treatment of COVID-19.” That is a nice way to put it. The blunt reality is that it’s hogwash.

Most of the people seeking out this faux COVID treatment are believed to be axti-vaxxers. NBC quotes Dr. Nathan Boonstra, a pediatrician at Blank Children’s Hospital in Des Moines, Iowa, and co-host of the podcast “Voices for Vaccines:”

“It’s hard to understand why people would turn down an FDA-approved Covid preventative in favor of a treatment that’s not only unapproved but has a large body of evidence showing it doesn’t work. But antivax groups will eat up any opportunity to make it seem like a vaccine isn’t needed. This has been true about anti-vaccine groups long before the pandemic. There is a lot of shared space between pro-ivermectin and anti-vaccine groups.”

Despite all the warnings, there are reports that the drug is flying off shelves at stores that sell livestock-related items. The Dallas Morning News spoke with Noah Krzykowski, a store manager at Irving Feed Store in Irving, Texas. He says new customers are trickling in, all are looking for ivermectin.

Some admit they plan to take it themselves, but others tell Krzykowski it’s for their animals. Either way, he tells customers that he strongly discourages them from taking the medicine.

“You can tell the difference between someone who has cattle and someone who doesn’t,” Krzykowski said, “And we’re seeing a lot of people right now who don’t have cattle.”

Now many farmers are finding it almost impossible to get their hands on the medication when they need it for their animals.

There are some cases where a different form of ivermectin is used to treat human conditions caused by parasites such as worms or lice, but doctors are not supposed to prescribe it off-label and, even when it is prescribed, it’s in small doses.  Now medical professionals who prescribe it to falsely treat COVID may find that decision is coming back to haunt them. According to CNN, “The Arkansas Medical Board is investigating after a doctor said he prescribed an anti-parasitic drug ‘thousands’ of times for treatment of Covid-19, including to inmates in an Arkansas jail.”

The CDC writes that “Adverse effects associated with ivermectin misuse and overdose are increasing, as shown by a rise in calls to poison control centers reporting overdoses and more people experiencing adverse effects.” Side effects can reportedly include gastric issues, nausea, and vomiting. There are also warnings that major side effects include seizures, coma, and death.

While the side effects can be serious, the misuse of this drug is sparking memes and jokes. The people who have taken it though, may not be laughing.

Watch more from WJXT-TV in Jacksonville, Florida above.