Ivermectin Misinformation Resurfaces on Social Media, Fueling False Cancer Cure Claims
A wave of misinformation touting the antiparasitic drug ivermectin as a cure for cancer has flooded social media platforms, echoing unsubstantiated claims made by actor Mel Gibson earlier this year. Identical posts, translated into various languages including French, Spanish, Hungarian, Dutch, Bosnian, Greek, Czech, and German, have proliferated online since January 2025, around the time Gibson promoted the unproven cancer cure on Joe Rogan’s podcast. This latest surge builds upon years of misinformation surrounding ivermectin, particularly within communities skeptical of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines. The false narrative surrounding ivermectin’s efficacy against cancer, COVID-19, and vaccine-related side effects has led to dangerous off-label use and even legislative attempts in some US states to bypass prescription requirements.
Health authorities in Canada and the US have explicitly stated that ivermectin is approved for human use only in treating specific parasitic infections (oral) and rosacea (topical). Leading researchers affirm ivermectin’s clinical effectiveness is limited to certain worm infections and scabies, emphasizing that claims beyond these applications lack scientific basis. Akos Heinemann, research head in the department of pharmacology at the Medical University of Graz, called any other use "unsubstantiated speculation based on scientifically untenable data or simply fabricated." This underscores the dangers of misinterpreting preliminary research or relying on anecdotal evidence.
While social media posts emphasize purported benefits, they ignore the potential serious side effects of ivermectin. Health Canada issued warnings in 2021 against off-label use or consuming veterinary formulations, citing risks like seizures, coma, and even death. Medical experts agree that prescribing or taking ivermectin outside its approved indications is grossly negligent. Monika Redlberger-Fritz, researcher at the Center for Virology at the Medical University of Vienna, reinforces the importance of adhering to authorized uses only. The widespread online promotion of ivermectin as a panacea ignores the established scientific consensus and puts individuals at risk.
Contrary to social media claims, ivermectin has not been scientifically linked to a reduction in COVID-19 infection, hospitalization, or mortality rates. While explored as a potential treatment during the pandemic, studies failed to demonstrate any clinical benefit. Health authorities in Canada and various provinces explicitly advise against ivermectin use for COVID-19 prevention or treatment. Furthermore, the claim that ivermectin reverses supposed damage from mRNA vaccines by targeting spike proteins is also false. This reiterates a persistent misconception that vaccine-produced spike proteins are harmful or can be shed to others’ detriment. Scientific evidence affirms that COVID-19 vaccines are safe and highly effective in reducing severe illness, death, and long COVID.
The assertion that ivermectin kills cancer cells and prevents their spread similarly lacks evidence. While scientists are investigating ivermectin’s potential anticancer properties, it is far from being a viable alternative to established treatments. In vitro and animal studies since the mid-1990s suggest the molecule might have antiproliferative and anti-metastatic properties. However, experts caution against extrapolating these findings to humans, emphasizing the need for further research and rigorous clinical trials. Claims of ivermectin curing cancer are premature and potentially harmful, distracting from proven cancer therapies like surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy.
The false belief that cancer is a parasite, rather than a disease arising from cell mutations, further contributes to misplaced faith in ivermectin as a cancer cure. Following Gibson’s widely viewed claim, the Canadian Cancer Society issued a warning against misinformation, highlighting the potential dangers of forgoing established cancer treatments for unproven alternatives. The organization emphasized the efficacy and safety of proven treatments, stressing that choosing alternative therapies can lead to serious health consequences, including cancer progression. AFP’s ongoing reporting on health misinformation continues to debunk these dangerous narratives and provide evidence-based information.