US Cancer Patients Use Ivermectin Despite Lack of Evidence

Some cancer patients in the U.S. are using the antiparasitic drug ivermectin as a treatment despite a lack of scientific evidence [1, 2].

This trend highlights a growing gap between clinical research and patient behavior, as individuals increasingly turn to unproven alternative therapies based on anecdotal claims rather than medical data.

The practice of using ivermectin for non-parasitic conditions surged during the COVID-19 pandemic and has continued into 2024 and 2025 [1, 3]. While the drug is approved for specific parasitic infections, scientific studies have found no evidence that it is effective against cancer [1, 2].

Reports indicate that the rise in prescriptions among cancer patients followed promotions by Hollywood actor Mel Gibson [4, 5]. Other reports said podcaster Joe Rogan is a reason for the increase in patients seeking the drug [3, 6].

Patients are seeking these alternative therapies after hearing anecdotal claims of cancer cures from these public figures [4, 6]. However, medical experts said there is an absence of clinical evidence supporting the efficacy of ivermectin for cancer treatment [4, 6].

This shift toward celebrity-led health decisions often occurs when patients feel traditional treatments are insufficient or seek complementary options, even when those options lack a scientific basis [3, 6].