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| - Last Updated on February 12, 2025 by Dr Priyamvada
Quick Take
A social media post claims that Ivermectin causes infertility. We did a thorough fact check to determine the claim as false.
The Claim
A post circulating on Instagram features Dr Mike Yeadon, an ex-Pfizer scientist and anti-vaccine activist, claiming that ivermectin is “one of the most violent fertility toxins” and reduces the ability to conceive and carry pregnancies to term.
Fact Check
Does ivermectin harm fertility in humans?
No, there is no solid scientific evidence that ivermectin harms fertility in humans. Ivermectin is an antiparasitic drug widely used to treat infections like river blindness, scabies, and strongyloidiasis. It has been safely administered to millions of people worldwide for decades, particularly in mass drug administration programmes in Africa and South America. No well-designed human studies show that ivermectin causes infertility. Regulatory bodies, including the World Health Organization (WHO), the US FDA, and the European Medicines Agency (EMA), have not identified infertility as a known side effect. Post-marketing surveillance data also do not report fertility issues linked to ivermectin use.
We connected with Dr Almas Fatma, MBBS, Diploma in Family Medicine, PG in Digital Health, General Physician from Navi Mumbai, for her expert opinion on ivermectin and its impact on human fertility. She says, “Ivermectin has been used safely for over 30 years to treat parasitic infections, and there’s no reliable evidence linking it to fertility problems in men or women. If it did affect fertility, we’d have seen clear signs in the millions of people who’ve taken it worldwide.”
While ivermectin is approved for treating parasitic infections, the FDA has not approved it for COVID-19 treatment. Additionally, claims that ivermectin is the future of cancer treatment are misleading. It is only being studied in early lab and animal research, with no proven effectiveness or approval for use in humans.
Have studies found any reproductive effects of ivermectin?
Yes, but only in animals and at very high doses. Some studies in rats and mice have shown that extremely high doses of ivermectin can affect reproductive health. These effects included reduced sperm motility and changes in ovarian function, but only at doses much higher than those prescribed for humans. It’s important to note that animals process drugs differently from humans, so these results don’t directly apply to people.
In a 2020 study, researchers reviewed six studies from African countries, involving 893 pregnant women. Some women took ivermectin by accident during mass drug campaigns, while others received it as part of a clinical trial. There were no reported cases of newborn deaths, pregnancy complications, premature births, or low birth weight. However, it’s still unclear if ivermectin increases the risk of miscarriage, stillbirth, or birth defects due to limited and uncertain data. The good news is that any negative effects seen in animal studies were often reversible once the drug was stopped.
Is ivermectin a known fertility toxin?
No, ivermectin is not a fertility toxin. Dr Mike Yeadon’s claim that it is “one of the most violent fertility toxins” has no scientific backing. If a medicine posed serious fertility risks, it would come with strict warnings, but that’s not the case with ivermectin. It’s not listed as a reproductive toxin in medical references or official safety guidelines. Ivermectin has been thoroughly studied, and none of the reviews have found any link to infertility.
Despite this, misinformation continues to spread, with some falsely claiming that ivermectin can harm male fertility.
When does ivermectin pose health risks?
Taking high doses of ivermectin can be dangerous and put your health at risk. It can interact with other medicines, like blood thinners, leading to harmful side effects. An overdose may cause symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, low blood pressure, skin rashes, dizziness, balance problems, seizures, coma, and even death. It’s important to use ivermectin only as prescribed by a doctor to avoid serious health complications.
We spoke with Dr Ubaid ur Rahman, General Physician, Holy Mission Clinic, New Delhi, for his perspective on when ivermectin poses health risks. He says, “Ivermectin is generally safe when used as prescribed for conditions like parasitic infections. Health risks usually arise when people take it in the wrong dose, too frequently, or use versions meant for animals. This can lead to side effects like nausea, dizziness, or even serious issues like seizures in extreme cases.”
THIP Media Take
The claim that Ivermectin causes infertility is false. While high doses in animal studies have shown some reproductive effects, these do not apply to real-world human use. Ivermectin remains a safe and approved medication for treating parasitic infections when used correctly. Claims suggesting otherwise are not supported by scientific data and contribute to unnecessary fear and confusion.
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