Yes — since December 4, 2025, ivermectin can be obtained from a Texas pharmacy without a prescription, but the mechanism is narrower than the phrase "over the counter" suggests. Texas House Bill 25 authorizes a pharmacist to dispense ivermectin to a person without requiring a prescription order from a licensed health care practitioner, provided the pharmacist follows any written standardized procedures or protocols issued by the Texas State Board of Pharmacy, including giving the person instructions on proper use. It is not a shelf product you pick up next to the ibuprofen: it sits behind the pharmacy counter, and the pharmacist decides whether to dispense. If you want the national picture rather than the Texas-only one, our overview of which states allow OTC ivermectin explains how these state laws differ from an actual FDA reclassification.

Two things have not changed. Federally, oral ivermectin is still a prescription drug, and while ivermectin tablets are approved at specific doses for certain parasitic worms, with topical formulations for head lice and skin conditions such as rosacea, the FDA has not approved it for COVID-19. And individual Texas pharmacies are not required to stock or dispense it. Details in this guide — the effective date, board guidance status, and prices — were last verified in April 2026; state pharmacy rules change, so confirm with the pharmacy before you drive anywhere.

Key takeaways

  • HB 25 took effect December 4, 2025, and authorizes pharmacists to act in accordance with any procedures issued by the Texas State Board of Pharmacy; the effective date was not contingent on the board issuing procedures or adopting rules.
  • "Over the counter" in Texas means behind the pharmacy counter, without a prescription — not unrestricted retail sale.
  • Texas became the fifth state to make ivermectin accessible without a prescription from pharmacies.
  • Stocking is uneven. One Waco-area pharmacy described dispensing as case-by-case under board guidance and encouraged people to call ahead to see whether a pharmacy carries it.
  • Ivermectin products sold at feed and farm stores are labeled for animals only and are not approved for use in people.

Is ivermectin available over the counter in Texas?

A pharmacist's hands counting small white tablets on a stainless steel tray behind the pharmacy counter

Functionally, yes — with conditions. Texans can ask a pharmacist for ivermectin directly, without seeing a prescriber first. HB 25 was filed by State Rep. Joanne Shofner (R-Nacogdoches) and passed along party lines in the House and then the Senate; supporters said the legislation was needed because some pharmacists were refusing to fill ivermectin prescriptions.

The federal status is unchanged, which is why "OTC" is a loose description. Certain animal formulations of ivermectin — pour-on, injectable, paste and "drench" — are approved in the U.S. to treat or prevent parasites in animals, and human oral tablets remain a prescription product nationally. What Texas changed is who can authorize dispensing inside the state, not the drug's federal classification.

It is also worth being clear about what the evidence supports. The NIH treatment guidelines described ivermectin as an FDA-approved antiparasitic used for several neglected tropical diseases, and stated it is not approved for the treatment of any viral infection, including COVID-19. That panel recommended against using ivermectin for the treatment of COVID-19. The Texas law expands access; it does not establish effectiveness for anything beyond ivermectin's approved antiparasitic uses.

Medical organizations objected

The Texas Medical Association testified that patient safety is at risk when physician oversight is removed from prescription medication dispensation, citing concerns about determining proper dosages and potential drug interactions. During floor debate, Rep. Suleman Lalani, a physician, argued the bill would legitimize pseudoscience. You may encounter that skepticism at the counter.

What the Texas law actually allows (pharmacist dispensing, age limits, effective date)

A pharmacist hands a small white paper bag of medication across the counter to a customer's waiting hands

Effective date. The bill went into effect December 4 and calls for pharmacists to adhere to any written standardized procedures or protocols issued by the Texas State Board of Pharmacy, including providing instructions on proper use upon dispensing.

Where it sits in Texas code. HB 25 amends the Texas Health and Safety Code by creating Chapter 446, permitting pharmacists to dispense the drug in accordance with standardized procedures or protocols established by the Texas State Board of Pharmacy, which may include a requirement to provide patients with instructions on proper use.

Liability shield. The bill states that "a pharmacist acting in a reasonably prudent manner is not criminally or civilly liable or subject to professional disciplinary action for dispensing ivermectin." That protection is intended to encourage pharmacist participation without fear of legal repercussions, though the standard of "reasonably prudent" conduct is not tightly defined.

Age limits. This is the most common point of confusion. The publicly available bill analyses describe pharmacist authority, board protocols and the liability shield — the operative requirement is that the pharmacist act in accordance with any written standardized procedures or protocols issued by the board. Any age condition would therefore come from board procedures or from an individual pharmacy's own policy rather than from an age threshold written into the statute itself. Because Texas Medical Association staff was not aware of any such board guidance as of its reporting, and the board noted the effective date was not contingent on it issuing procedures or adopting rules, practice varies pharmacy to pharmacy. Ask the pharmacist what their store requires — identification, an age minimum, a short consultation, or all three. Parents seeking ivermectin for a child should expect to be referred to a pediatric prescriber.

Where to buy ivermectin locally in Texas

A laptop open for a telehealth video consultation with a notepad and amber medication vial in the foreground

The realistic answer is: a pharmacy that has chosen to stock it, after a phone call. Availability is the bottleneck, not legality. A Waco pharmacy said it was following Texas State Board of Pharmacy guidance, treating distribution on a case-by-case basis, and encouraged people to call their pharmacy to see whether it carries the drug. Independent and compounding pharmacies have generally been quicker to participate than large chains, whose corporate policies are set outside Texas.

Demand is not evenly spread, either. A Tyler pharmacist told CBS19 the change would likely have an effect in East Texas because of a large local population that "leans more into alternative medicine." Our state-by-state notes on finding ivermectin at a pharmacy cover the same call-ahead approach in other jurisdictions.

Feed stores and farm-supply retailers

Ivermectin paste and injectable products are widely sold in Texas farm-supply stores, and they are labeled for animal use only. They are not approved for people, in any dose. Veterinary ivermectin paste labeling carries the explicit warning "Not for use in humans," and states the product was formulated specifically for use in horses only, noting that use in other species can cause severe adverse reactions including fatalities in dogs. Product literature is explicit that the paste is "For Oral Use in Horses Only," and the FDA has repeatedly warned against using veterinary formulations in humans because animal products have different concentrations and inactive ingredients that have not been evaluated for people. FDA consumer material also warns that even ivermectin at levels approved for human use can interact with medications such as blood thinners, and that overdose can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, low blood pressure, allergic reactions, dizziness, balance problems, seizures and coma.

If you still need a prescription: telehealth options

A printed pharmacy receipt, coins and an amber medication vial side by side on a counter

A pharmacist can decline to dispense under HB 25, and many will if the stated purpose falls outside ivermectin's approved uses. In that case you are back to the ordinary route: a licensed clinician who can practice in Texas, either your own physician or a telehealth service, evaluates you and writes a prescription if it is clinically appropriate. Telehealth visits in Texas require the clinician to hold a Texas license; the pharmacy filling the prescription must also be licensed to dispense in Texas.

Be skeptical of websites that promise prescription medicine with no clinician involvement and no prescription — that is a supply-chain and authenticity problem, not a shortcut. We cover how legitimate remote evaluation differs from those operations in our guide to getting ivermectin through an online pharmacy. A prescriber is also the right person to weigh interactions, which matters more than most people expect given the blood-thinner interaction the FDA flags.

What it costs in Texas

Prices vary by strength, quantity, pharmacy and whether the drug is billed to insurance. Non-prescription dispensing is usually a cash transaction, and cash prices are typically higher than insured co-pays. Figures below are national GoodRx reference prices verified in April 2026, not Texas-specific quotes.

Product Average retail price (GoodRx) Lowest price with GoodRx coupon
Ivermectin tablets (generic, prescription) About $69.54 for the most common version As low as $22.66
Stromectol (brand) About $69.64 As low as $22.86
Ivermectin lotion, non-prescription (head lice) About $180.08 for the most common version As low as $50.22
Soolantra (topical ivermectin, rosacea) About $328.58 As low as $92.67

One row in that table is a different product. The $180.08 listing is GoodRx's non-prescription ivermectin lotion for head lice — a topical, not tablets, and not what a pharmacist hands over under HB 25. For tablets, the closest published figure is GoodRx's average retail price of about $69.54 for the most common version, with coupon prices starting near $22.66. No source publishes what Texas pharmacies actually charge for a cash, no-prescription tablet dispense, so treat the national numbers as a rough guide rather than a quote. Supporters argued access would bring costs down — Sen. Bob Hall said eliminating the need for a prescription offers Texans more treatment options "at a much lower price" — but dropping insurance billing can raise what you pay at the register. Ask for the cash price before dispensing. Our breakdown of ivermectin prices compares the forms and quantities in more detail.

How Texas compares with other states

Texas is part of a cluster of similar laws, and more legislatures took up the question in 2026. A Mississippi bill to remove the prescription requirement was introduced as that state's 2026 session opened, after a similar 2025 bill died in a House committee. South Carolina legislators filed a measure to authorize over-the-counter sale of ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine tablets, and Florida's HB 29 (2026) addressed the sale and purchase of ivermectin, with sponsors citing rural areas and physician shortages. Rules differ meaningfully between states — compare the Texas framework with our notes on Arkansas's approach and on pharmacy access in Kentucky before assuming a prescription written or filled elsewhere will work the same way.

Frequently asked questions

Can you buy ivermectin over the counter in Texas without any paperwork?

You do not need a prescription, but you are not skipping the pharmacist. The law requires the pharmacist to follow board-issued standardized procedures, which can include providing instructions on proper use. Expect a consultation and possibly an ID check.

Where can I buy ivermectin in Texas if my pharmacy says no?

Try another pharmacy, particularly an independent one, and call first. Pharmacies have encouraged customers to phone ahead to confirm whether they carry it. A pharmacy is permitted to decline; the law shields those who dispense, it does not compel dispensing.

Is ivermectin approved for COVID-19 now that Texas made it available without a prescription?

No. The FDA has not approved ivermectin for COVID-19, and the NIH panel recommended against its use for treating COVID-19. Lawmakers themselves noted the drug has been discussed as a possible COVID-19 treatment that the FDA has not approved. State dispensing laws do not change approved indications.

Can I use ivermectin from a feed store instead?

No. Those products are labeled for animal use only and are not approved for humans. Veterinary paste labeling states plainly, "Not for use in humans." Translating a dose from horse paste ignores formulation differences, variable bioavailability and excipient safety.

Does the Texas law set a minimum age?

The statute as enacted routes conditions through board procedures rather than a statutory age cutoff, so requirements can differ by pharmacy. The board confirmed the law's December 4, 2025 effective date was not contingent on it issuing procedures or adopting rules, which is why early practice has been inconsistent. Confirm current requirements with the Texas State Board of Pharmacy or the dispensing pharmacist.

Is ivermectin covered by insurance if dispensed without a prescription?

Usually not. Plans generally require a prescription for coverage, so non-prescription dispensing tends to be self-pay. Ask the pharmacy for its cash price before you agree to the fill; for the same tablets, cash can cost more than an insured co-pay would.

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