Is Ivermectin (antiparasitic medication) effective for treating Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA)?

Medical Advisory BoardAll articles are reviewed for accuracy by our Medical Advisory Board
Educational purpose only • Exercise caution as content is pending human review
Article Review Status
Submitted
Under Review
Approved

Last updated: May 26, 2025View editorial policy

Personalize

Help us tailor your experience

Which best describes you? Your choice helps us use language that's most understandable for you.

From the Guidelines

Ivermectin is not recommended for treating psoriatic arthritis. Psoriatic arthritis is an inflammatory joint condition associated with psoriasis that requires specific treatments targeting immune system pathways. Standard treatments for psoriatic arthritis include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen or naproxen for mild symptoms, disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) such as methotrexate, and biologics like TNF inhibitors (adalimumab, etanercept) or IL-17 inhibitors (secukinumab) for more severe cases. Ivermectin is an antiparasitic medication primarily used to treat infections caused by certain parasites and has no established mechanism of action against the autoimmune inflammation that causes psoriatic arthritis.

Key Points to Consider:

  • The American College of Rheumatology and National Psoriasis Foundation guideline for the treatment of psoriatic arthritis 1 does not mention ivermectin as a treatment option.
  • The European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) recommendations for the management of psoriatic arthritis with pharmacological therapies also do not include ivermectin 1.
  • Ivermectin's lack of efficacy in treating autoimmune inflammation makes it an unsuitable choice for psoriatic arthritis, as stated in various studies 1. If you're experiencing symptoms of psoriatic arthritis, you should consult with a rheumatologist who can provide appropriate treatment options based on your specific condition, symptom severity, and medical history. Early treatment is important to prevent joint damage and manage symptoms effectively.

From the Research

Ivermectin for Psoriatic Arthritis

  • There are no research papers to assist in answering this question as the provided studies do not investigate the use of ivermectin for psoriatic arthritis.
  • The studies provided focus on other topics, including IL-23 inhibition for psoriatic arthritis 2, conventional disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) for psoriatic arthritis 3, the TNF/IL-23/IL-17 axis in psoriasis treatment 4, methotrexate for psoriatic arthritis 5, and ivermectin for preventing and treating COVID-19 6.
  • None of these studies examine the efficacy or safety of ivermectin for psoriatic arthritis, and therefore, no conclusions can be drawn about its potential use for this condition.

Professional Medical Disclaimer

This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.

Have a follow-up question?

Our Medical A.I. is used by practicing medical doctors at top research institutions around the world. Ask any follow up question and get world-class guideline-backed answers instantly.