Ivermectin: Can it clear cancer? Anyone use this?

@s6819103, there's a lot of information as well as misinformation circulating about ivermectin and its use as a treatment for cancer. It does not clear or cure cancer.

Ivermectin is used to treat river blindness (onchocerciasis), intestinal infection from threadworms (strongyloidiasis), and other kinds of worm infections. Ivermectin is an anthelmintic. It works by interfering with the nerve and muscle functions of worms, by paralyzing and killing them. (https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/ivermectin-oral-route/description/drg-20064397)

Researchers are studying Ivermectin to see if it may be used as an anti-cancer drug and early studies show promise. Please note that this research is in the early stages (mice studies) and has not yet been tested in human trials. Ivermectin is not a proven standard treatment for cancer.

Ivermectin combined with other chemotherapy drugs or targeted drugs is being studied in early clinical trials and shows promise in patients for whom conventional chemotherapy has not worked in some cancer types. It may be effective against drug-resistant cancer cells.

- Ivermectin, a potential anticancer drug derived from an antiparasitic drug https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7505114/

Ivermectin and other dewormers (anthelmintic) like fenbendazole can cause irreparable liver damage.
- Liver damage from Fenbendazole https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38706451/

Important
It is NOT safe to take ivermectin used in veterinary medicine. Please talk to your doctor before taking any over-the-counter medications or supplements that claim to fight or cure cancer.

I feel like I get messages from friends about this a lot. This is various kinds of tea.

We're considering trying this. Why not? Does hurt to try.

I actively follow and review the medical and scientific literature regarding the use of alternative/natural therapies used in cancer. Thus, far while there some interesting results regarding the cancer inhibition properties of both ivermectin & fenbendazole, in inhibiting various aspects related to cancer growth, proliferation, and cell death, there is no human clinical trial data to substantiate these effects in humans. There are a few anecdotal and small number of case reports, mostly from Asia, that have reported some positive clinical benefits on chemotherapy,but it's unclear if the benefit was attributable to chemo, iver/fenben, or the combination of these agents.

Simply, put the evidence is not there to support the use of either ivermectin or fenbendazole in cancer therapy. That said, you have the right to try either agent if you wish, but you should inform your oncology team that you are taking either of them. Fenbendazole in particular has been associated with severe liver damage.

The same cautions apply for informing your care team of any/all other supplements you may be taking.

DrDave72.

@s6819103, short answer - untested treatments can do harm. When we read repeated stories of success about this or other unproven treatments that circulate widely, the repetition can give the appearance of - it must be true or everyone is doing it.

As @stageivsurvivor said in another discussion:
“ Think carefully as drug/drug and drug/supplement interactions can have consequences. Damage to the liver would mean having to pause chemo. Permanent damage would terminate cancer treatment. Bad decisions can have bad consequences and there might not be a “do-over” moment.”

Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding your health. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on the community or on social media.

I’m very hesitant to go with anything that hasn’t been proven to work via something like clinical studies. Some herbs, supplements, etc. can interfere with chemotherapy/radiation, making the treatment less effective, and damage could be done to the body. I would talk with a doctor before trying anything that could result in harm or a negative outcome.

I've been taking it for a couple of months and my mouth pain has diminished

Have you gone through chemo? Have they done scans to see how your looking?

Chemo and radiation 3 years ago. Scanned twice afterwards. Haven't been back for a scan in 2 years. Will never do radiation ever again.

Can you share why you would never do radiation? So I take it you didn't have the surgrey? Do you think this medication has helped?