Fact check: How do the inactive ingredients in horse ivermectin pastes affect human consumption?

1. Summary of the results

The analyses consistently demonstrate that inactive ingredients in horse ivermectin pastes pose significant safety risks for human consumption. Auburn University Harrison School of Pharmacy explicitly warns that animal formulations contain inactive ingredients that "have not been proven safe for humans through clinical trials" ^[1].

Clinical evidence shows severe consequences when humans consume veterinary ivermectin formulations. A study comparing human versus veterinary formulations found that patients who consumed veterinary products "ingested higher doses and had higher rates of altered mental status, and developed more severe neurotoxicity" ^[2]. Multiple sources report cases of people becoming "seriously ill from consuming highly concentrated ivermectin formulations, such as pour-on products, injectable products, pastes, and drenches meant for horses, cattle, and sheep" ^[3].

The concentration factor compounds the danger - veterinary formulations are "highly concentrated and result in overdoses when used by humans" and "may contain inactive ingredients not evaluated for human use" ^[4]. Even in animals, ivermectin toxicity can occur, as documented in horses experiencing "depression, forelimb and hind limb ataxia, drooping of the superior and inferior lips, and muscle fasciculations" after receiving recommended veterinary dosages ^[5].

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

The original question lacks important context about why people might consider using horse ivermectin pastes. The analyses reveal this practice emerged during COVID-19, with people "ingesting veterinary-use ivermectin in attempts to prevent, cure COVID-19" ^[3]. This context is crucial for understanding the scope and urgency of the safety concerns.

Missing regulatory perspective: The analyses don't provide detailed information about specific inactive ingredients found in horse pastes or their individual toxicity profiles. The sources focus on general warnings rather than ingredient-specific data.

Economic considerations: The analyses don't address that veterinary ivermectin products are often more accessible and less expensive than human formulations, which may drive inappropriate use despite safety risks.

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original question appears neutral and factual in seeking information about inactive ingredients' effects on human consumption. However, the framing could potentially be problematic if it implies there might be safe ways to consume horse ivermectin pastes.

The question omits critical safety warnings that should accompany any discussion of this topic. By focusing solely on "effects" rather than explicitly stating the dangers, it might inadvertently suggest that understanding these effects could lead to safer consumption methods.

Missing emphasis on alternatives: The question doesn't acknowledge that FDA-approved human ivermectin formulations exist for legitimate medical uses, which could redirect people toward safer options when medically appropriate and prescribed by healthcare providers.

The analyses consistently show that no safe method exists for human consumption of horse ivermectin pastes due to both concentration issues and untested inactive ingredients ^{[1] [4]}.