Prescriptions for ivermectin among cancer patients increased by 250% following public endorsements by actor Mel Gibson and podcast host Joe Rogan, according to a new study tracking antiparasitic drug usage.

The spike in prescriptions occurred after Gibson claimed the drug had cured friends of his cancer, statements that gained widespread attention on social media and podcast platforms. Ivermectin is an FDA-approved antiparasitic medication primarily used to treat infections caused by certain parasites.

The study's findings have raised concerns among medical professionals about patients potentially delaying or avoiding proven cancer treatments in favor of off-label drug regimens. Ivermectin is not approved by the FDA for cancer treatment, and its use for this purpose lacks clinical trial evidence demonstrating safety or effectiveness.

Healthcare experts worry that celebrity endorsements may influence patients to pursue unproven treatments instead of established cancer therapies with documented efficacy rates. The trend reflects broader patterns of medical misinformation spreading through social media and entertainment platforms.

The increase in ivermectin prescriptions represents part of a growing phenomenon where public figures' health claims drive prescription patterns, despite the absence of regulatory approval or peer-reviewed research supporting such uses for the promoted conditions.