FDA cautions against use of camphor as COVID-19 treatment

The Food and Drug Authority (FDA) has cautioned Ghanaians against the inhalation of Naphthalene also known as camphor or Mothballs for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19.

According to the Authority, camphor is an insecticide and produces a toxic gas which repels and kills insects.

“The vapour produced by camphor in this way elicits a toxic gas which should not be inhaled under any circumstances”, a press statement signed by the Chief Executive Officer of FDA, Mrs Delase A. A Darko cautioned.

The statement issued on Thursday (April 30, 2020) follows an audio which has gone viral on the social media about the inhalation of vapour from Naphthalene for the prevention and treatment of COVID 19.

In the said audio, the speaker who claimed he was speaking from Amponsah Herbal Centre in Holland advised the listeners to inhale vapour produced by Naphthalene in hot water to prevent and treat the virus.

Reacting to the said audio, the FDA said, “When the vapour produce is inhaled, the body breaks it down into other chemicals that react with cells in the body and damage tissues”.

This, FDA said can cause skin and eye irritation, nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps and diarrhea, “other effects of the inhalation of the vapour produced by camphor are confusion, excitement, convulsion, severe anaemia, and renal shutdown.

The authority has therefore advised the public to adhere to the proposed safety protocols since there is no such proven treatment for the COVID-19.

Read full statement below: