Hailed as a wonder drug for tropical diseases, ivermectin is used to treat parasitic infections in humans, pets, and livestock. This drug has alleviated the burden of river blindness and strongyloidiasis for millions of people. Read on to learn more about the uses, safety, and side effects of ivermectin.<\/p>\n
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Ivermectin (Stromectol, Mectizan, Sklice, Heartgard) is a medication used in the treatment of several parasitic infections in humans, pets, and livestock. Together with penicillin and aspirin, ivermectin is considered by some to be one of the drugs that has had the greatest impact on the health and wellbeing of humankind [R<\/a>, R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Ivermectin was first used as a veterinary drug to combat parasitic infections in commercial livestock and pets, but it was soon approved for human use as well. Now, ivermectin is on the World Health Organization\u2019s list of essential medicines [R<\/a>, R<\/a>, R<\/a>].<\/p>\n In humans, ivermectin is FDA-approved to treat two kinds of parasitic infections, including [R<\/a>]:<\/p>\n Generally speaking, ivermectin appears to work by paralyzing and killing parasites. More specifically, it has a high affinity for invertebrate (roundworm and arthropod) glutamate<\/a>-gated channels. This causes the influx of chloride<\/a> ions into muscle and nerve cells, which results in subsequent paralysis and death of the parasite [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Ivermectin may also suppress the ability of the parasite to release proteins that help it to evade the body\u2019s natural immune defenses. Therefore, with the help of this drug, the immune response may overcome parasites and eliminate them [R<\/a>, R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Ivermectin is a prescription medication that should only be used as directed by a doctor. The FDA has approved ivermectin for the treatment of two types of parasitic infections. Ivermectin is also sometimes used off-label to treat several other conditions.<\/p>\n Strongyloidiasis is a tropical disease affecting millions of people worldwide. It is caused by the parasite Strongyloides stercoralis<\/i>, which belongs to the roundworm family.<\/p>\n Infection by this parasite is primarily through contact with soil that is contaminated with larvae. The larvae of this worm can penetrate through the skin after contact and eventually make its way to the intestines [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Many people who become infected with Strongyloides<\/i> do not experience symptoms. Some symptoms that may develop include diarrhea, constipation, skin rashes, abdominal pain, and heartburn. If you suspect you may have an infection, talk to your doctor [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Ivermectin is typically the drug of choice for the treatment of strongyloidiasis in the intestines. According to clinical trials, a single 200-mcg\/kg dose of ivermectin may cure infection in about 64-100% of patients, while treatment with 2 doses of ivermectin may have a cure rate close to 100% [R<\/a>, R<\/a>].<\/p>\n However, ivermectin does not kill the larvae of this parasite, only the adult worms. This is why additional doses of ivermectin are sometimes needed to completely eliminate an infection [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n River blindness (onchocerciasis) is a tropical disease caused by a parasitic worm called Onchocerca volvulus<\/i>. This disease is spread by repeated bites from the black fly, an insect that lives and breeds near streams and rivers. Once inside the body, the larvae of this parasite typically make their way to the skin and eyes [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Some people do not experience symptoms while infected with Onchocerca volvulus<\/i>. Also, larvae may take 3 months to a year to mature into adults while inside the body. Some symptoms of infection include itching, swelling, inflammation, and discoloration of the skin. As the name suggests, this infection may also affect the eyes and cause blindness [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n A number of clinical trials spanning over three decades, including thousands of people, have shown that ivermectin is effective for the treatment of river blindness [R<\/a>, R<\/a>, R<\/a>, R<\/a>, R<\/a>, R<\/a>, R<\/a>].<\/p>\n However, ivermectin is only effective against the larvae of Onchocerca volvulus<\/i> — it does not appear to have activity against adult parasites. Treatment with ivermectin typically requires multiple doses, which may be taken 3 to 12 months apart [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Ivermectin is sometimes used for several off-label conditions, which we\u2019ll discuss in the following sections. If you are prescribed ivermectin, always take the medication as directed by your doctor.<\/p>\n\n
Mechanism of Action<\/span><\/h3>\n
Uses of Ivermectin<\/span><\/h2>\n
FDA-Approved Uses<\/span><\/h3>\n
Strongyloidiasis<\/h4>\n
River Blindness (Onchocerciasis)<\/h4>\n
Off-Label Uses<\/span><\/h3>\n