Cancer patients are increasingly using ivermectin as an alternative or complementary treatment to chemotherapy [1, 2, 3].

This trend highlights a growing tension between conventional oncology and alternative medicine, as patients seek to avoid the severe side effects associated with standard chemotherapy [1, 2, 3].

Some patients have adopted the drug under the guidance of Dr. Joseph Varón. He said it is important to conduct studies to avoid risks and said that ivermectin may function as an additional treatment to chemotherapy [1].

The rise in usage has been linked to celebrity testimonials and media appearances. In January 2025, actor Mel Gibson said that three of his friends were no longer suffering from the disease after using the drug [2]. Gibson said, "Ya no tenían la enfermedad en absoluto" [2].

These claims have circulated through various channels, including the Joe Rogan podcast in the U.S., and other Spanish-language media [1, 2, 3]. The attraction to such treatments often stems from a desire to find less invasive options, or a belief in anecdotal success stories [1, 2, 3].

However, medical authorities and fact-checkers have challenged these assertions. Yahoo Noticias said that the claim that ivermectin and fenbendazole cure cancer is false [3]. While some practitioners suggest the drug as a supplement, others said that replacing proven medical treatments with unverified alternatives can be dangerous [1, 3].

“"Ya no tenían la enfermedad en absoluto."”

The shift toward ivermectin among cancer patients reflects a broader trend of medical skepticism and the influence of high-profile anecdotes over clinical data. While complementary therapies are common, the substitution of chemotherapy for unproven antiparasitic drugs poses a significant public health risk by delaying evidence-based interventions.