I was part of a discussion on a pharmacy staff Facebook page about alternative drugs used in COVID, starting with fluvoxamine and of course went into the others. It gave a pretty clear example of how disinformation gets spread.
OP: I do think it (Ivermectin) saved my brothers life.
Respondant 1: Did he also get steroids because I’ve seen them used together.
OP: He received dexamethasone in the hospital and his O2 stats continued to fall until he got budesonide. He didn’t get ivermectin in the hospital, he took it and a Z-Pak after he was diagnosed.
Respondant 2: Sounds like he improved after the steroids, why did you say Ivermectin saved his life?
OP: I didn’t say that. All I’m saying is that the drug regimen helped him. The ivermectin helped keep him from going downhill too quickly. There are studies showing it’s effective.
Respondant 2: No you did give Ivermectin the credit. And didn’t he need to be hospitalized?
OP: Well it’s just my opinion, I never said it was based on scientific evidence. It’s safe to take, so what’s the harm?
Respondant 2: Well the harm is that you said it saved his life and you’re a medical professional and people will assume your statement is based on scientific evidence. And someone might seek vet products to ‘save their life’ if they can’t get a prescription.
OP: Well I’d never recommend using livestock products and I haven’t posted anything about it to the general public. (A check of her Facebook showed her making several posts about it)
It went quickly from saving his life to what could it hurt. But the only part most will see is the saving of his life and not any of the background information.