Repurposed medications: Ivermectin & Mebendazole

When people learn about Kevin's cancer healing journey, one of the most common questions we receive concerns the use of repurposed medications, particularly ivermectin and mebendazole.

For many, the idea sounds surprising, after all, these medications were originally developed for entirely different purposes. Yet in recent years, researchers, practitioners, and patients around the world have shown growing interest in the concept of drug repurposing, a process in which existing medications are studied for potential applications beyond their original intended use.

As Kevin and I navigated his diagnosis, we quickly discovered that there was a vast amount of information available beyond conventional treatment discussions. We spent countless hours researching scientific literature, listening to interviews, reviewing case reports, and consulting with healthcare professionals who specialized in integrative and complementary approaches to cancer care.

During that process, ivermectin and mebendazole repeatedly appeared in our research.

What is medication/drug repurposing?

Drug repurposing is not a new concept. Throughout medical history, medications developed for one condition have often gone on to serve entirely different purposes after researchers discovered additional biological effects.

One advantage of repurposed medications is that their safety profiles are often already well understood because they have been used clinically for many years. This allows researchers to explore new applications while building upon existing knowledge.

Many people are surprised to learn that drug repurposing is already a well-established part of modern medicine. Some of today's most widely used medications were originally developed for entirely different purposes than those for which they are now commonly prescribed, such as:

Aspirin

Originally developed as a pain reliever and fever reducer, Aspirin is now also widely used in low doses to help reduce the risk of blood clots, heart attacks, and strokes in certain individuals.

Minoxidil

Minoxidil was first introduced as an oral medication to treat high blood pressure. During clinical use, researchers observed increased hair growth as a side effect, eventually leading to the development of topical formulations for hair loss.

Sildenafil (Viagra)

Originally investigated as a treatment for heart-related chest pain and high blood pressure affecting the lungs, Sildenafil later became widely known for treating erectile dysfunction and is still used today for certain cardiovascular conditions.

Metformin

Developed to help manage blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes, Metformin is now being studied extensively for its potential effects on longevity, metabolism, inflammation, and other health conditions.

Statins

Originally designed to lower cholesterol levels and reduce cardiovascular risk, statins have since been investigated for additional effects related to inflammation, immune function, and other disease processes.

These examples illustrate how medical discovery often unfolds in unexpected ways. Sometimes researchers observe benefits that extend beyond a medication's original purpose, opening the door to entirely new areas of investigation.

Why ivermectin and mebendazole?

Part of our introduction to these medications came through a personal Zoom consultation with Dr. William Makis. As we prepared for that discussion, we spent considerable time researching his work, listening to interviews, reading articles, and exploring the topics he frequently discussed. During that process, we were introduced to the concept of repurposed medications and began learning about the growing interest surrounding ivermectin, mebendazole, and other existing drugs that were being investigated for potential applications beyond their original intended use.

Ivermectin dosage is calculated based on weight, diagnosis, cancer stage, diet, individual strength, and so on – so it's not a one-size-fits-all approach, but protocols should always be personalized.

Mebendazole, much like ivermectin, is suggested on a per-weight basis.

As we continued exploring the scientific literature, we found that ivermectin and mebendazole were receiving increasing attention within the integrative cancer community. Here is some of the research I found, after doing a lot of searching (sources also listed below):

Q: What is Ivermectin? Ivermectin was developed as an anti-parasitic medication from the soil-dwelling bacterium, Streptomyces avermitilis, targetting specific chemicals that parasites rely on. Its effectiveness and safety profile made it one of the most widely used drugs in the world – later leading to a 2015 Nobel Prize due to its impact on global health.

Q: Why is Ivermectin so widely suggested for challenging diagnoses?  Beyond its anti-parasitic action, Ivermectin has demonstrated anti-inflammatory properties: It influeces cytokine signalling and immune pathways involved in chronic inflammation. These effects help explain its usefulness in inflammatory skin conditions – and also to target diseases such as arthritis. Perhaps its most compelling benefits lies in oncology, as it has shown to interfere with metabolic processes that cancer cells depend on for survival:

• It disrupts mitochondrial respiration: This means it interferes with how cells use oxygen to make energy inside their “power plants” (the mitochondria), making it harder for fast-growing cells to survive.
  

• It interferes with glucose transport, blocking or slowing down how cells take in sugar from the bloodstream, limiting the fuel they rely on to grow and divide.
  

• Reduces ATP (energy) production, which is the cell’s main energy currency, reducing ATP production leaves the cells with less energy to carry out vital functions.
  

• Alters cellular redox balance, upsetting the balance between harmful oxidative molecules and the cell’s ability to neutralize them, which can push stressed cells toward damage or death.

Cancer cells rely heavily on altered energy metabolism to sustain rapid growth and resist cell death. By disrupting these pathways, ivermectin has shown* anticancer and anti-inflammatory effects in laboratory, animal models, and in tens of thousands of humans globally. 

Q: What is Mebendazole? What is Fenbendazole? Fenbendazole and Mebendazole are both anti-parasitic medications that work differently than Ivermectin: They both work by disrupting the microtubules inside parasitic worms, leading to their death. They are chemically similar, with the difference being that Fenbendazole contains a phenylthio group molecule, while Mebendazole features a benzoyl group. This small difference results in distinct absorption levels, with Fenben typically suggested for animal use (due to less absorbability, keeping it in the gut longer for animal care), while Meben for human use. Both have shown promising results in cancer treatment.

Q: Why is Mebendazole suggested to be paired with Ivermectin? They are typically suggested as an effective combination due to their broad spectrum action: Iver paralyzes the worm, Meben starves the worm. Both are strong anti-inflammatories.

Q: Is Mebendazole better than Fenbendazole?  When Mebendazole is combined with Ivermectin, typically Fenbendazole is not necessary, although individuals are suggested to undergo a Private Wellness consultation for personalized Protocols. Mebendazole is suggested due to its low toxicity profile in humans.

Q: Are there side effects to these medications? Side effects are rarely experienced: A low percentage of clients report digestive issues (in which case it’s recommended to take with a fatty food, such as avocado or coconut oil), and eye blurriness (due to the body’s shedding action, which subsides when treatment is complete).

Q: How much/for how long are medications taken? As with any medication, dosage and timeline depends on an individual’s diagnosis (illness, stage), weight, diet, and lifestyle – dosage is very client-specific and should be monitored by an experienced Wellness provider who can follow progress and adjust as necessary.

Q: Are they guaranteed to work? As with any diagnosis or illness, many factors affect an outcome – from lifestyle to stress management and diet – therefore no medications are guaranteed.

*Selected References & Further Reading

Ashburn TT, Thor KB. Drug repositioning: identifying and developing new uses for existing drugs. Nature Reviews Drug Discovery.

2. Cheng F et al. Network-based approaches for drug repurposing. Nature Communications.

3. Barabási AL et al. Network medicine: a network-based approach to human disease. Nature Reviews Genetics.

4. Pollak M. Metformin and cancer: rationale and clinical applications. Nature Reviews Cancer.

5. Juarez M et al. Ivermectin inhibits cancer cell growth via disruption of mitochondrial function. Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications.

6. Zhang X et al. Ivermectin induces apoptosis and suppresses tumor growth through metabolic pathway disruption. International Journal of Molecular Sciences.

7. Dou Q et al. Repurposing ivermectin for cancer treatment: molecular mechanisms and therapeutic potential. American Journal of Cancer Research.

8. Crump A, Ōmura S. Ivermectin, ‘wonder drug’ from Japan: the human use perspective. Proceedings of the Japan Academy.

9. Steinhoff M et al. Ivermectin therapy for inflammatory skin diseases. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.

10. Hanahan D, Weinberg RA. Hallmarks of cancer: the next generation.

For these and many other reasons, researchers have been investigating these medications because of their potential effects on various biological pathways involved in cellular function. For us, the decision was never based on a headline, social media post, or a single study. It was the result of extensive research, careful consideration, and ongoing conversations with many practitioners who were helping guide Kevin's care.

Only one piece of a much larger puzzle

One of the most important points we want to emphasize is that for us, it wasn't about declining conventional treatment, popping a pill, crossing fingers, and seeing how things went. For us, ivermectin and mebendazole were never viewed as stand-alone solutions – in fact, they represented only a small component of a much larger healing strategy. But since "Cancer" is a very large, scary diagnosis, we were willing to try everything because we knew the alternative could be detrimental.

Kevin's protocol incorporated numerous elements, including dietary changes, targeted supplementation, lifestyle modifications, stress management, emotional healing, detoxification support, restorative sleep, movement, spiritual practices, and regular monitoring of his progress. Each piece was chosen with the goal of supporting the body's overall health and resilience.

Healing journeys are never the result of a single intervention.

While many people search for one breakthrough treatment, our experience taught us that meaningful change often occurs when multiple supportive strategies work together over time.

The repurposed medications were one tool among many. They were incorporated into a broader protocol that focused on supporting the body from multiple angles simultaneously.

The importance of informed decision-making

Every individual facing cancer is confronted with difficult decisions. What feels right for one person may not feel right for another.

Our approach was to remain curious, open-minded, and committed to learning. We asked sooo many questions, sought multiple perspectives, reviewed available research, and worked to make informed choices based on the information available to us at the time.

We never viewed alternative approaches as replacements for critical thinking. Rather, we viewed them as opportunities to explore additional options that might complement a broader healing plan.

It is also important to recognize that every cancer journey is unique. The decisions we made were based on Kevin's individual circumstances, our research, and guidance from practitioners we trusted. Our experience should not be interpreted as medical advice, but rather as one family's account of exploring every avenue available to them during a challenging time.

Whether or not these medications are appropriate for someone else is a decision that should be made carefully and in consultation with qualified healthcare professionals. Our purpose in sharing this experience is not to recommend a particular treatment, but rather to tell our story and contribute to an ongoing conversation about the innovative and evolving world of repurposed medications.

Cancer taught us that healing often requires asking questions that may not have simple answers. It taught us the value of research, curiosity, and informed decision-making. Most of all, it taught us that there is rarely a single path forward. Every journey is unique, and every person deserves the opportunity to explore their options with knowledge, support, hope, and the right to choose.