Photo of a list of tablets is being widely shared on social media through a post, claiming that the tablets needed to be used when one is infected with COVID-19. Let us fact-check the claim made in the post.
Claim: The list of tablets to be taken when infected with COVID-19.
Fact: The antibiotics mentioned in the list require a doctor’s prescription. Doctor’s advice is needed before taking these antibiotics. Ivermectin is no longer recommended by ICMR; it has been removed from the clinical guidelines revised in September 2021. Recently, over 30 doctors have written an open letter to the central and state governments saying that certain medications and diagnostics are inappropriate for the clinical management of COVID-19. “The prescribing of vitamin combinations, azithromycin, doxycycline, hydroxychloroquine, favipiravir and ivermectin for treating Covid-19 is irrational practice.” Infections like mucormycosis, aspergillosis are attributed to ‘widespread abuse of inappropriate medications.’ Doctor’s advice is recommended before taking any medicines for tackling COVID-19. Hence, the claim made in the post is MISLEADING.
Antibiotics mentioned in the list need doctor’s prescription:
Azithromycin is an antibiotic used to treat various bacterial infections. It can only be taken after a doctor’s advice. Doxy 100mg tablet is also an antibiotic medicine that needs a doctor’s prescription. The list also mentions vitamin and zinc supplements.
Ivermectin no longer recommended:
The Indian Council of Medical Research had excluded Ivermectin and Hydroxychloroquine from its COVID-19 treatment guidelines in September 2021. Upon revising its ‘Clinical guideline’ for COVID-19, ICMR removed Ivermectin which was previously mentioned in its guidelines.
The latest clinical guidelines for management of adult COVID-19 patients revised on 14 January 2021 do not mention any of the list of tablets mentioned in the list.
Recently, over 30 doctors have written an open letter to the central and state governments saying that certain medications and diagnostics are inappropriate for the clinical management of COVID-19. “The prescribing of vitamin combinations, azithromycin, doxycycline, hydroxychloroquine, favipiravir and ivermectin for treating Covid-19 is irrational practice.” Infections like mucormycosis, aspergillosis are attributed to ‘widespread abuse of inappropriate medications.’
To sum it up, the COVID-19 medication in this list should only be taken after Doctor’s advice.
