SouthernWorldwide.com – A recent episode of Joe Rogan’s podcast has been linked to a significant increase in prescriptions for an antiparasitic drug among cancer patients, following a celebrity’s endorsement of the medication as an alternative cancer treatment.
The drug combination, ivermectin–benzimidazole, was discussed as an off-label cancer treatment during actor Mel Gibson’s appearance on the podcast in January 2025. Gibson shared personal anecdotes about three friends with stage 4 cancer who, according to him, are now cancer-free.
When questioned by host Joe Rogan about the treatments his friends underwent, Gibson specifically named “Ivermectin, fenbendazole.” He further expressed a belief in natural cures, stating, “I don’t believe that there is anything that can afflict mankind that hasn’t got a natural cure for it.”
Ivermectin is a well-established antiparasitic medication used in both human and veterinary medicine to combat infections caused by specific types of worms and parasites. Fenbendazole, on the other hand, is primarily a veterinary antiparasitic drug belonging to the benzimidazole class, used to treat parasitic worm infections in animals.
Read more : Giants QB Jaxson Dart Praises John Harbaugh as Ideal Coach
Researchers from institutions including the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, UCLA, and the University of Michigan undertook an analysis of health records from over 68 million patients across various ambulatory care settings. Their objective was to ascertain if Gibson’s endorsement on the widely viewed podcast episode, which garnered 60 million views in its first month, correlated with a rise in the prescription of ivermectin in combination with a benzimidazole drug.
The study specifically looked for increases in same-day prescriptions of ivermectin alongside albendazole, fenbendazole, mebendazole, or thiabendazole. The findings indicated a notable surge in prescribing rates following the podcast episode, with overall rates nearly doubling. For cancer patients specifically, the prescribing rates increased by a factor of 2.5.
Further analysis revealed demographic patterns among cancer patients who received these prescriptions. Larger increases were observed in men, White patients, individuals aged 18-64, and those residing in southern states. The study was published in JAMA Network Open on Tuesday.
It is important to note that the study did not evaluate the safety outcomes associated with this drug combination. Medical experts emphasize that there is currently no robust clinical trial evidence to support the safety or efficacy of ivermectin–benzimidazole for the treatment of cancer.
“Clinicians talk about how difficult it is when the patient demands or asks for a medication that they really feel passionately might help,” stated lead author Michelle Rockwell, PhD, RD, a health services researcher at Virginia Tech. She highlighted the significant influence celebrity endorsements can have on patient choices.
While some laboratory and animal studies have suggested that these drugs might exhibit anti-cancer activity, experts caution that the dosage required for even a minor effect would likely be considered toxic for humans. Skyler B. Johnson, MD, of the University of Utah Huntsman Cancer Institute, expressed concerns about ivermectin’s potential impact on how the body metabolizes cancer treatments and other medications.
The researchers acknowledged certain limitations in their observational study design. They could not definitively prove a causal link between Gibson’s podcast appearance and the increase in prescriptions. Furthermore, the act of prescribing does not guarantee that the medication was filled or consumed by patients.
There is also the possibility that some individuals may have sought ivermectin without a prescription, potentially obtaining it from agricultural suppliers who sell it for livestock use. The researchers also pointed out the potential for misclassification of cancer status in the analyzed health records.
The study also did not investigate whether patients were using ivermectin concurrently with conventional cancer treatments or if they were using it as a replacement. Healthcare professionals strongly advise patients to consult with a qualified healthcare provider for medical guidance before making any decisions regarding their treatment.
