Welcome everyone to another edition of the Doctor's Note where we talk about what's on our minds when it comes to your health.
This week’s episode is the third in a three part series, following up on our discussions about COVID-19 and the vaccines. Today, I wanted to share my extensive experience with Ivermectin. I've personally treated thousands of patients with this medication during the pandemic, and I can tell you, it's proven to be incredibly effective. Just like hydroxychloroquine, it's one of those repurposed medications that really came through for us when we needed options the most.
What really excites me about Ivermectin is how versatile it is. As you may know, it started as a veterinary medication, but it's become so much more. It won the Nobel Prize for treating diseases like river blindness, and now we're seeing amazing potential in cancer treatment. I'm already using it as an adjunctive treatment for some of my cancer patients, and the research behind its mechanism of action, especially with protein kinase PAK1 and microtubules, is fascinating.
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I consider Ivermectin a wonder drug, right alongside penicillin and aspirin. In my years of practice, I've seen how remarkably effective and safe it is. We're talking about a medication that's been used billions of times worldwide with an incredible safety profile. What makes it truly wonderful is its versatility and reliability - it's one of those rare drugs that continues to surprise us with new applications while maintaining its safety record.
I'm particularly proud of how Tennessee was proactive in the use of Ivermectin. While states like California and New York were implementing strict lockdowns, Tennessee took a more progressive approach to treatment. We're the only state where you can get Ivermectin over the counter at certain pharmacies with physician backing. This forward-thinking approach has really set us apart, and I probably would have lost my medical license if I'd been practicing in some other states. It shows how our state trusts medical professionals to make appropriate decisions for their patients.
From my personal experience treating thousands of patients during the pandemic, I can attest to Ivermectin's effectiveness against COVID-19. When used early in the disease process and combined with other treatments like high-dose vitamin D and our established protocol from the frontline doctors, it was highly effective in turning cases around quickly. I've taken it myself and continue to do so when needed. While not 100% effective (no medication is), it demonstrated remarkable success rates, especially when implemented early in treatment.
Over three decades of clinical use, Ivermectin has demonstrated an exceptional safety profile. What's particularly remarkable is the lack of drug resistance development, which is a common problem with many other medications. The side effects I've observed in my practice have been minimal - occasionally some loose stools or upset stomach, but these are rare and mild. This kind of safety profile is almost unheard of for a drug with such broad applications.
The history of Ivermectin is fascinating. Discovered in Japanese soil, this medication went on to win the Nobel Prize for its effectiveness against devastating parasitic diseases like river blindness and elephantiasis. It's since been FDA approved for conditions like lice and rosacea, showing how a single discovery can have multiple important medical applications. This kind of recognition speaks volumes about its importance in global medicine.
This is what really gets me excited - the emerging research on Ivermectin's potential in cancer treatment. It works by inactivating protein kinase PAK1, which is essential for the growth of more than 70% of all human cancers, including breast, prostate, pancreatic, colon, and many others. It's showing promise in inhibiting cancer cell proliferation and increasing apoptosis (programmed cell death) in various human cancers. I'm already using it as an adjunctive treatment for some of my cancer patients, alongside other therapies.
I've found Ivermectin to be excellent as a preventive measure, particularly for travelers. I recommend my patients take it with them when traveling, starting it at the first sign of illness. I follow this advice myself - whenever I feel a cold or sore throat coming on, I start taking it immediately. This proactive approach has shown great results in preventing the progression of various infections.
Beyond its well-known anti-parasitic properties, I've seen Ivermectin work effectively against viral and fungal infections. It's proven useful for bed bugs, tick infections, asthma, and various neurological disorders. What makes it truly remarkable is how it continues to show promise in new areas of medicine. Its ability to work through multiple mechanisms of action makes it an invaluable tool in our medical arsenal.
Practicing medicine for as long as I have, it's rare to find a medication that continues to impress me the way Ivermectin does. I keep it in my personal medicine cabinet, and I recommend it to my patients because I believe in its safety and effectiveness.
As we continue to discover more about this remarkable drug, I encourage you to do your own research and discuss Ivermectin with your healthcare provider. Remember, sometimes the best solutions are the ones that have been right in front of us all along.
Stay educated. Stay healthy.
Till next week.
