From the Guidelines
Ivermectin is effective for treating various parasitic infections, and its use is recommended for conditions such as strongyloidiasis, onchocerciasis, and certain types of scabies, with a typical dosage of 150-200 micrograms per kilogram of body weight as a single oral dose, as supported by recent guidelines 1.
Key Points to Consider
- Ivermectin works by paralyzing and killing parasites by interfering with their nervous system.
- The dosage varies by condition, and some infections require repeated dosing.
- Side effects are usually mild and can include dizziness, nausea, diarrhea, or skin rash.
- Ivermectin should be taken on an empty stomach with water, and patients should follow their healthcare provider's instructions regarding food intake around dosing time.
- Proper diagnosis is essential before beginning treatment, as ivermectin is not effective against all parasites.
Important Considerations for Treatment
- For onchocerciasis, treatment with ivermectin should be done under specialist advice, with a dosage of 200 μg/kg monthly for 3 months, and repeated every 3-6 months until asymptomatic, then annually if necessary 1.
- In areas co-endemic with loiasis, ivermectin treatment should be done with caution, as it can cause serious neurological adverse events in individuals with high L. loa microfilaria loads 1.
- It is essential to exclude co-existing conditions, such as onchocerciasis or loiasis, before starting treatment with ivermectin, and to seek specialist advice in cases of co-infection or uncertainty.
From the FDA Drug Label
Indications Cattle: IVERMECTIN Injection is indicated for the effective treatment and control of the following harmful species of gastrointestinal roundworms, lungworms, grubs, sucking lice and mange mites in cattle... Swine: IVERMECTIN Injection is indicated for the effective treatment and control of the following harmful species of gastrointestinal roundworms, lungworms, lice and mange mites in swine...
Ivermectin is effective for treating certain parasitic infections in cattle and swine, including:
- Gastrointestinal roundworms
- Lungworms
- Lice
- Mange mites 2
From the Research
Efficacy of Ivermectin in Treating Parasitic Infections
- Ivermectin has been shown to be highly effective against various parasitic infections, including strongyloidiasis 3, onchocerciasis 4, 5, 6, and lymphatic filariasis 4, 7.
- It is considered the drug of choice for onchocerciasis and strongyloidiasis infections, and has been widely used to treat these conditions 4, 5.
- Ivermectin has also been found to be effective against other parasitic infections, such as gnathostomiasis, crusted scabies, and ascariasis 4, 5.
- The drug has a low rate of adverse reactions, making it a safe treatment option for many patients 4, 7.
Specific Parasitic Infections Treated with Ivermectin
- Strongyloidiasis: Ivermectin has been shown to be more effective than albendazole in treating strongyloidiasis, with a parasitological cure rate of 83% compared to 38% for albendazole 3.
- Onchocerciasis: Ivermectin is effective in reducing skin microfilaria counts and ocular involvement in patients with onchocerciasis, and can be used on a mass scale due to its minimal side effects 6.
- Lymphatic filariasis: Ivermectin has been used in mass treatment programs to eliminate lymphatic filariasis, and has been shown to be effective in reducing the transmission of the disease 7.
Ongoing Research and Development
- Research is ongoing to explore the potential of ivermectin in treating other parasitic infections, such as trichinosis and myiasis 7.
- Novel drug delivery systems are being investigated to increase the potential of ivermectin to treat a new range of diseases and to overcome the possibility of drug resistance 7.