Ivermectin

Generic name: Ivermectin (oral)
Brand names: Stromectol
Drug class: Anthelmintics

Usage of Ivermectin

Ivermectin is an anti-parasite medication used to treat parasitic diseases. It is FDA approved for use in humans to treat a variety of parasitic infections including parasitic worms, hookworm and whipworm. Ivermectin may also be used as an effective treatment for a wide range of other conditions and as a treatment of onchocerciasis, intestinal strongyloidiasis and onchocerciasis or river blindness.

The antiviral activity of Ivermectin has been shown against a wide range of RNA and DNA viruses, for example, dengue, Zika, yellow fever, and others.

Ivermectin side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to ivermectin: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have:

eye pain or redness, puffy eyes, problems with your vision;

severe skin rash, itching, or rash with pus;

confusion, change in your mental status, balance problems, trouble walking;

fever, swollen glands, stomach pain, joint pain, swelling in your hands or feet;

fast heart rate, trouble breathing;

loss of bladder or bowel control;

neck or back pain, seizure (convulsions); or

a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out.

Common ivermectin side effects may include:

headache, muscle aches;

dizziness;

nausea, diarrhea; or

mild skin rash.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Before taking Ivermectin

You should not use ivermectin if you are allergic to it.

To make sure ivermectin is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

liver or kidney disease; or

cancer, HIV or AIDS, or other conditions that can weaken your immune system.

It is not known whether ivermectin will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medication.

Ivermectin can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Ivermectin should not be given to a child who weighs less than 33 pounds (15 kg).

Relate drugs

How to use Ivermectin

Usual Adult Dose of Ivermectin for Onchocerciasis:

0.15 mg/kg orally once every 12 months Patients with heavy ocular infection may require retreatment every 6 months. Retreatment may be considered at intervals as short as 3 months. Dosage guidelines based on body weight: 15 to 25 kg: 3 mg orally one time 26 to 44 kg: 6 mg orally one time 45 to 64 kg: 9 mg orally one time 65 to 84 kg: 12 mg orally one time 85 kg or more: 0.15 mg/kg orally one time

Usual Adult Dose for Strongyloidiasis:

0.2 mg/kg orally once In immunocompromised (including HIV) patients, the treatment of strongyloidiasis may be refractory requiring repeated treatment (i.e., every 2 weeks) and suppressive therapy (i.e., once a month), although well-controlled studies are not available. Cure may not be achievable in these patients. Dosage guidelines based on body weight: 15 to 24 kg: 3 mg orally one time 25 to 35 kg: 6 mg orally one time 36 to 50 kg: 9 mg orally one time 51 to 65 kg: 12 mg orally one time 66 to 79 kg: 15 mg orally one time 80 kg or more: 0.2 mg/kg orally one time

Usual Adult Dose for Ascariasis:

0.2 mg/kg orally once

Usual Adult Dose for Cutaneous Larva Migrans:

0.2 mg/kg orally once

Usual Adult Dose for Filariasis:

0.2 mg/kg orally once Study (n=26,000) Mass treatment in Papua, New Guinea: Bancroftian filariasis: 0.4 mg/kg orally once yearly (with a single annual dose of diethylcarbamazine 6 mg/kg), for 4 to 6 years

Usual Adult Dose for Scabies:

0.2 mg/kg orally once, and repeated in 2 weeks Ivermectin therapy may be combined with a topical scabicide.

Usual Pediatric Dose for Filariasis:

Study (n=26,000) Mass treatment in Papua, New Guinea: Bancroftian filariasis: 5 years or older: 0.4 mg/kg orally once yearly (with a single annual dose of diethylcarbamazine 6 mg/kg), for 4 to 6 years

Warnings

You will need to have a stool exam after taking ivermectin to make sure the infection is gone. Some patients may need to take another dose of ivermectin to treat the infection.

Ivermectin may make you feel dizzy. To lower the chance of feeling dizzy or passing out, rise slowly if you have been sitting or lying down. Be careful going up and down stairs.

What other drugs will affect Ivermectin

Other drugs may interact with ivermectin, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell each of your health care providers about all medicines you use now and any medicine you start or stop using.

Disclaimer

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