Ivermectin is an on-prescription anti-parasite medicine. It’s an ectoparasiticide medicine. Ivermectin is prescribed to patients who’re suffering from parasitic attacks or infections including the intestinal tract, skin, and eyes.
- Ivermectin is an anti-parasite medication.
- It is used to treat infections in the body that are caused by certain anti-parasite.
- Ivermectin is currently being investigated as a treatment for coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, which is the virus that causes COVID-19.
Ivermectin is mainly used to recover from many types of anti-parasite infections which are as follows:
- Head lice
- Scabies
- River blindness
- Diarrhea
- Worm infections
Important Information
You will need to have a stool exam after taking ivermectin to make sure the infection is gone.
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 downstairs.
Taking medicine
- 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.
- Ivermectin can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
How should I take ivermectin?
- Follow all directions on your prescription label.
- Ivermectin is usually given as a single dose. Take this medicine with a full glass of water.
- To effectively treat your infection, you may need to take ivermectin again several months to a year after your first dose.
- Some people who have a weak immune system need to take this medicine on a regular basis. Follow your doctor’s instructions.
- To make sure this medicine is working, you may need to provide frequent stool samples.
- Store this medicine at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
Ivermectin dosing information
- Usual Adult Dose of Ivermectin for Onchocerciasis:
Patients with heavy ocular infection may require retreatment every 6 months.
Dosage guidelines based on body weight:
- 26 to 44 kg: 6 mg orally one time
- 65 to 84 kg: 12 mg orally one time
What happens if I miss a dose?
Do not take extra medicine to make up for the missed dose.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
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.
- 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.
