Ivermectin blamed for death of Colorado woman; experts renew warnings about misuse of drug

A 74-year-old Colorado woman has died from “probable ivermectin toxicity,” according to the Douglas County Coroner’s Office. The death marks the state’s second fatality linked to the antiparasitic drug since 2020 and has prompted renewed warnings about the dangers of using veterinary formulations in humans.

Mary Doran, a longtime Highlands Ranch resident and retired respiratory therapist, reportedly took ivermectin meant for horses to manage chronic pain. The coroner’s report states that Doran and her husband had been taking the medication twice daily for several days prior to her death on August 2. Investigators found veterinary-grade ivermectin at her home, labeled “for oral use in horses only.”

e COVID-19 pandemic, ivermectin gained widespread attention as an unproven treatment for the virus. Poison control centers across the country saw sharp increases in calls related to ivermectin exposure, often from individuals who ingested concentrated livestock products.

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment reported that Doran’s death is only the second in the state attributed to ivermectin toxicity since 2020. No such cases were recorded in the prior decade.

The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office confirmed an ongoing death investigation but declined to release further details.

Story from https://www.cbsnews.com/colorado/news/ivermectin-death-warnings-misuse-drug-colorado/