Holy Cow: Tuscaloosa Businesses Report Run On Livestock Dewormer

NORTHPORT, AL — Farm supply companies in the Tuscaloosa area have had a difficult time keeping one product on the shelves. Some customers buy it in bulk, others regularly in small doses when they can find it. And as one retail employee pointed out, "they never say why they are buying it, but we know."

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The popular commodity is an injectable or liquid solution for treating heart worms and parasites in large farm animals — ivermectin. Despite the intended use for the product, it has become the latest coronavirus miracle cure conspiracy theory, with public health officials cautioning that it carries its own set of risks for the person taking it. What's more, it's wholly unproven as a preventive for the coronavirus.

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At local businesses like the Tuscaloosa County Co-Op and Tractor Supply Co., the liquid solution was completely out of stock on Friday and cited as the most popular form of the medication, which also comes in a topical paste or in pill form.

Both stores stressed that ivermectin is sold for livestock use only.

One retail employee told Patch their store had received large batch orders and had a difficult time keeping it in stock recently. But for the topical solution, which was available at both stores, the employee pointed out that they had heard of some people putting small amounts under their tongue to dissolve.

In another instance, an employee mentioned one customer who had been taking ivermectin for the last eighth months.

"I just don't get it," the young man said. "That stuff is meant for a farm animal."

The paste, however, appears to not be as popular, at least in Tuscaloosa, during the current run on the drug. Fears also persist of the continued misuse of the medication resulting in it being pulled from shelves.

But in terms of risks, Davis said one of the biggest dangers of human ivermectin ingestion is how easily a person can overdose, due to taking a substance not meant for human consumption.

"People are buying a livestock medication intended for an animal five to 10 times their weight," Davis said. "Generally it's safe for animals, but depending on the dose you take, it could potentially lead to side effects that could cause death."

Indeed, as AL.com's William Thornton reported earlier this week, the Alabama Poison Information Center has seen a sharp uptick in calls regarding ivermectin exposure. The majority of these cases are related to coronavirus prevention.

Experts warn that side effects can include neurological events such as dizziness, seizures and confusion; sudden drop in blood pressure; elevated heartbeat or cardiovascular issues; liver injuries such as hepatitis; and severe skin rash.

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