The Medical Advisor

While commonly used to speed up stubborn wounds and tissue infections, hyperbaric medicine can also be helpful in the treatment of infectious diseases such as post-COVID ( R ) .  It’s also enormously useful for stroke patients . I can't think of a more effective intervention than to get the stroke patient into a series of hyperbaric treatments as quickly as possible. (ViktoriiaNovokhatska/Shutterstock) What's Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy? Hyperbaric medical therapy began in 1662 by placing patients in a pressurized chamber with regular air, but it would be another 100-plus years before pure oxygen was routinely used. Since then, it has been studied extensively and is currently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for several specific conditions, including wound care, radiation injury, and more. Research and clinical trials are ongoing, exploring its potenti...

Key Takeaways (2026) Ivermectin  remains an FDA-approved prescription drug for humans  (e.g., parasitic infections like strongyloidiasis and onchocerciasis).  It is  NOT universally over-the-counter (OTC)  in the U.S.—but  state-level laws are rapidly changing . As of 2025–2026,  some states allow pharmacist dispensing or OTC access , while others still require a prescription. ( Wdam ) Availability is  inconsistent by location , even though there is  no nationwide shortage .  Current Legal Status (U.S., 2026) Federal Level Ivermectin tablets are still classified as a  prescription drug for human use  under FDA regulation. ( MedPath ) Doctors may legally prescribe it  off-label  (common practice in U.S. medicine). State-Level Changes (Major 2025–2026 Shift) Several states have passed or proposed laws to expand access: States allowing easier access Idaho  – OTC availability without prescription Arkansas, Tennessee ...