Ivermectin fights parasites like worms and when taken orally, the slimy creatures will want to get out, causing an "unpleasant surprise" in the toilet, according to an infectious disease expert.
Some politicians have advocated the use of Ivermectin to help cure COVID-19 patients even as the anti-parasitic has no proven medical effect on the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19.
On Thursday, the Food and Drug Administration cleared Ivermectin for "compassionate use" in hospitals.
Dr. Edsel Salvana, who specializes in infectious diseases, said he was serving a "fair warning" to those who would take Ivermectin for COVID.
"Assuming you surreptitously take decent quality Ivermectin, expect an unpleasant surprise in your toilet. Many Filipinos are not aware they are infested with worms. Prepare to find out in the most unpleasant way! No, that's not spaghetti coming out of your butt," said Salvana, who heads the Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology at the National Institute of Health.
Ivermectin is cleared for use on animals and humans around the world. However, it is not cleared as a cure for COVID-19.
EXPLAINER: What is Ivermectin and Can it Cure COVID-19?
It must be used with a prescription. When not used against intestinal worms (in which case, it is taken orally), the drug is applied to the skin to cure head lice.
Drugmaker Merck & Co Inc, which markets Ivermectin, had said that analysis of available data does not support the safety and efficacy of the drug for the treatment of COVID-19.
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