Few medications have ignited as much global debate in recent years as ivermectin. Originally developed as an antiparasitic drug, ivermectin has been both praised as a “wonder drug” and criticized for its controversial off-label use — especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. While scientific journals and news outlets have covered its clinical impact, Reddit offers a more grassroots perspective: real people, sharing raw experiences.

In this article, we explore what Reddit users have said about ivermectin — from therapeutic success stories to harsh skepticism, and everything in between.

1. The Reddit Landscape: Where Is Ivermectin Being Discussed?

Discussions about ivermectin appear across a wide range of subreddits, including:

• r/COVID19_support
• r/medicine
• r/ivermectin (now restricted/archived)
• r/conspiracy
• r/AskDocs
• r/longcovid
• r/Nootropics
• r/VeterinaryAdvice (for animal-related use)

Each subreddit reflects different motivations: some are looking for treatment guidance, others are focused on politics or science, and some are simply curious about the controversy.

2. Positive Anecdotes: “It Helped Me When Nothing Else Did”

Many posts describe positive personal experiences, especially when ivermectin was used to treat:

• Parasitic infections (e.g., strongyloides, scabies): “Ivermectin cleared my strongyloides in 3 days. Side effects were mild. One of the best meds I’ve ever used.” – r/medicine
• Suspected long COVID symptoms: “I took a 3-day course of ivermectin and noticed a major reduction in brain fog and fatigue. Could be placebo, but the improvement was real to me.” – r/longcovid
• Chronic fatigue / inflammation: “I started using ivermectin after reading about its anti-inflammatory action. It helped with joint pain and energy, surprisingly.” – r/Nootropics

In many of these cases, users emphasize that their physicians did not recommend the treatment, and they self-medicated based on online protocols — sometimes using veterinary-grade products.

3. Caution and Side Effects: “It Wasn’t Worth the Risk”

Despite some optimism, there’s no shortage of Redditors warning against self-experimentation:

• Adverse reactions: “I took ivermectin horse paste. Ended up with nausea, headaches, and heart palpitations. Not smart.” – r/conspiracy
• Worsening symptoms: “After taking it for COVID, I had terrible gut issues and no real benefit. It’s a gamble.” – r/COVID19_support
• Misuse warnings from health professionals: “As a pharmacist, I see too many people using ivermectin without understanding the dosing. It’s not harmless.” – r/AskDocs

Many Reddit health professionals actively discourage ivermectin use outside of FDA/EMA-approved indications, especially for viral infections.

4. Dosing Confusion and DIY Protocols

Another common Reddit theme involves confusion over dosage — especially when people attempt to use veterinary ivermectin (commonly horse paste or injectable solutions).

• Users often cite protocols from fringe websites and YouTube videos.
• Several mention calculating dosages by weight, but question the accuracy and safety of these estimations.
• One user admitted: “I was measuring with a syringe. Didn’t feel anything for 2 days, then got dizzy. Might’ve overdosed a bit.” – r/ivermectin

5. Divided Community Sentiment: Science vs. “Censorship”

Reddit threads on ivermectin often spiral into polarized arguments, especially when tied to COVID-19 or government policy.

• Pro-ivermectin users accuse health authorities of censorship or pharmaceutical bias.
• Skeptical users point to randomized controlled trials and accuse proponents of spreading pseudoscience.

On r/medicine and r/AskScience, ivermectin threads are heavily moderated, often locked or removed to prevent misinformation.

6. Veterinary Use: Animal Owners Share Practical Experience

On subreddits like r/VeterinaryAdvice and r/dogs, ivermectin is regularly discussed for heartworm prevention, mange, and other parasitic infections.

• Most pet owners rely on prescription brands like Heartgard, and are cautious with dosing.
• One user wrote: “Ivermectin saved my dog’s life when she had sarcoptic mange. Worked fast, but the vet warned me not to DIY the dose.”

These conversations are more grounded and less politicized than human-centered debates.

Conclusion: What We Learn From Reddit

Reddit provides a unique lens into how ivermectin is used and perceived outside the clinic: