Ivermectin in Animal Health products and COVID-19

Many countries continue to see high numbers of COVID-19 infections, and some are facing a resurgence of cases amid emerging virus variants. As a science-based company, Boehringer Ingelheim strongly encourages people to get vaccinated as the best way to help prevent COVID-19 infections, stop the spread of the virus, and reduce serious complications from or hospitalizations due to COVID-19. 

Unfortunately, some people are taking products containing ivermectin to try to treat or prevent COVID-19 in humans. No ivermectin-based product has been approved as a potential treatment for COVID-19 in humans.

Boehringer Ingelheim manufactures several veterinary products containing ivermectin. These products treat parasites in animal species that include cows, horses and dogs. Regulators approved these products only for the specific therapeutic needs of the particular species indicated on the product labels.  

None of Boehringer Ingelheim’s animal health products containing ivermectin are approved or suitable for use in humans. Those products should not be used to try to prevent or treat COVID-19 in humans. Using these veterinary products to try to prevent or treat diseases in humans can lead to serious health issues, including poisoning, and Boehringer Ingelheim strongly cautions against using our veterinary products to try to prevent or treat COVID-19 in humans.