What are the uses for ivermectin (antiparasitic medication)?

From the Guidelines

Ivermectin is primarily used to treat parasitic infections in both humans and animals, and its use for other purposes, such as viral infections, is not recommended due to insufficient evidence of efficacy. In humans, it's FDA-approved for treating intestinal strongyloidiasis (threadworm infection), onchocerciasis (river blindness), and certain types of scabies when other treatments have failed 1. The typical human dose ranges from 150-200 micrograms per kilogram of body weight as a single oral dose, though treatment may be repeated after 3-12 months for some parasitic infections. Ivermectin works by paralyzing and killing parasites by interfering with their nervous systems. It's also commonly used in veterinary medicine for heartworm prevention and treating various parasitic infections in livestock and pets.

Some key points to consider when using ivermectin include:

• Ivermectin has been shown to have anti-inflammatory effects in in vitro and in vivo studies, but its therapeutic utility for viral infections, such as COVID-19, is not proven 1.
• The use of ivermectin in areas where loiasis is co-endemic with onchocerciasis can cause serious neurological adverse events, and millions of people living in these areas are left untreated with the standard strategy of community-wide ivermectin treatment 1.
• Ivermectin should only be taken as prescribed by a healthcare provider, as improper dosing can lead to serious side effects including neurological issues, especially at doses higher than those recommended for parasitic infections.

Overall, the use of ivermectin should be limited to its approved indications and dosages, and patients should be closely monitored for potential side effects. Major health organizations do not recommend ivermectin for the treatment of viral infections, including COVID-19, due to insufficient evidence of efficacy 1.

From the FDA Drug Label

Ivermectin is a member of the avermectin class of broad-spectrum antiparasitic agents which have a unique mode of action Ivermectin is active against various life-cycle stages of many but not all nematodes. It is active against the tissue microfilariae of Onchocerca volvulus but not against the adult form. Its activity against Strongyloides stercoralis is limited to the intestinal stages

The uses for ivermectin include:

• Treatment of Strongyloidiasis: Ivermectin is efficacious in the treatment of strongyloidiasis of the gastrointestinal tract.
• Treatment of Onchocerciasis: Ivermectin is effective in reducing skin microfilariae count and decreasing microfilariae count in the anterior chamber of the eye. 2

From the Research

Uses of Ivermectin

• Ivermectin is used in the treatment of various parasitic infections, including:
  • Onchocerciasis (river blindness) 3, 4, 5, 6
  • Strongyloidiasis 3, 7, 6
  • Lymphatic filariasis 6
  • Scabies 7, 6
  • Pediculosis 7
• Ivermectin has also shown potential in the treatment of other conditions, such as:
  • Gnathostomiasis 6
  • Crusted scabies 6
  • Ascariasis 6
  • Mansonella infections 6
  • Enterobiasis 6
  • Trichuris trichiura infections 6

Administration and Efficacy

• Ivermectin can be administered orally in various formulations, including tablets, solutions, and capsules 7
• The efficacy of ivermectin varies depending on the formulation and dose used 7
• A single oral dose of ivermectin (150 micrograms/kg) repeated once a year has been shown to be effective in reducing skin microfilaria counts and ocular involvement in patients with onchocerciasis 4, 5

Safety and Side Effects

• Ivermectin has been shown to have a low rate of adverse reactions, with the exception of treatment of loiasis and onchocerciasis, where the death of a high microfilarial load may cause severe encephalopathy 6
• Special attention must be paid to the emergence of resistance in the treatment of scabies 6