Ivermectin
About Ivermectin
Ivermectin is a prescription medication used to treat infections caused by certain parasites in the body. It works by targeting and destroying the microscopic worms or mites that cause these uncomfortable conditions. By clearing these parasites, the medicine helps relieve your symptoms and prevents the infection from worsening or spreading to others.
In most cases, this medicine is taken as a single dose, but your doctor will decide if you need a repeat dose later. To ensure the medication works effectively, you must take it on an empty stomach with a full glass of water, at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after eating. Making simple adjustments, such as washing all bedding in hot water and keeping your living space clean, will greatly support your recovery.
While most people tolerate this treatment well, it can cause mild side effects like dizziness, nausea, or a light skin rash. If you experience severe symptoms, such as sudden vision changes, severe eye pain, or high fever, contact your doctor immediately.
Before you begin taking this medicine, discuss your medical history with your doctor, especially if you have liver damage, a weakened immune system, or other ongoing health issues. Do not take this if you have had an allergic reaction to this medication or any of its ingredients in the past.
Avoid drinking alcohol while taking this medicine, as it can increase your risk of severe dizziness and drowsiness. Let your doctor know about all other medications you take to avoid harmful interactions, and consult your healthcare provider if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or caring for an elderly patient.
Uses of Ivermectin
• Treatment of parasitic infections: Ivermectin is used to treat parasitic infections like strongyloidiasis and onchocerciasis, by targeting and eliminating the parasites that cause them.
• Scabies treatment: Ivermectin effectively treats scabies by targeting the mites that cause intense itching and skin irritation.
• Lice infection: Ivermectin treats head lice infection by killing both lice and eggs, especially when other treatments aren't effective.
• Filariasis management: Ivermectin is also utilized to manage lymphatic filariasis by targeting the filarial worms that can cause severe complications if left untreated.
• Ectoparasitic infections: Ivermectin treats ectoparasitic infections caused by parasites living on the skin or in hair, effectively by targeting external parasites.
Medicinal Benefits
Ivermectin provides effective antiparasitic treatment to help eliminate parasitic infections and relieve associated symptoms. By targeting the underlying cause of infection, this medicine offers several key health benefits:
- Effective Parasite Elimination and Symptom Relief: Ivermectin works by removing the causative parasites, helping reduce symptoms such as itching, skin rashes, digestive discomfort, and joint pain associated with parasitic infections.
- Convenient Single-Dose Treatment: Often taken as a single oral dose, Ivermectin offers a simple treatment approach that makes it easier to complete the prescribed course compared with medicines requiring multiple doses over several days.
- Improved Treatment Compliance and Recovery: The convenient dosing schedule helps reduce the chances of missed doses, allowing you to receive the full therapeutic benefit and support a faster recovery.
Directions for Use
Please follow these steps to take your medication safely and effectively:
- Swallow the tablet whole with a full glass of water. Do not chew, crush, or break the tablet.
- Take the medicine on an empty stomach, either 1 hour before a meal or 2 hours after you have eaten.
- If you are taking this for river blindness, your doctor may recommend regular eye exams to monitor your progress.
Always follow your doctor's exact instructions regarding the timing and number of tablets you need to take. Do not change your dose or take it more often than prescribed.
Storage
Side Effects of Ivermectin
Common Side Effects (Usually mild):
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Nausea, diarrhoea, or mild stomach discomfort
- Mild skin rash or itching
- Muscle or joint pain
Serious Side Effects (Call a doctor right away):
- Severe eye pain, redness, or changes in your vision
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Severe skin peeling, blistering, or widespread red rash
- Extreme weakness or inability to stand up
- Swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat (signs of a severe allergic reaction)
Medicines Containing this Salt
View All
Drug Warnings
- Stand up slowly: To prevent dizziness or fainting, take your time when rising from a sitting or lying position while taking this medication.
- Avoid driving: Ivermectin can make you feel dizzy or sleepy; do not drive or operate heavy machinery until you know how this medicine affects you.
- Check the packaging: Before taking the medication, inspect the blister pack or bottle to ensure it is sealed and has not been tampered with.
- Inform your dentist or surgeon: If you need to have surgery or a dental procedure shortly after taking this medicine, let your healthcare provider know.
- Complete follow-up tests: Be sure to attend any follow-up appointments and stool tests your doctor schedules to confirm the parasite is completely gone.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions:
Inform your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines, as they may interact.
- Blood thinners (such as warfarin): Taking Ivermectin alongside blood thinners may increase your risk of bleeding or bruising easily.
- Medications that calm the central nervous system (such as sleep aids or anxiety medications): These can increase the sedating effects of Ivermectin, leading to extreme drowsiness or dizziness.
Drug-Food Interactions:
- Fatty meals: Taking this medicine with food, especially high-fat meals, can significantly increase how much of the drug your body absorbs, which may raise your risk of side effects. This is why it must be taken on an empty stomach.
Drug-Disease Interactions:
Inform your doctor if you have a history of the following conditions before taking Ivermectin, as it may worsen your condition or cause complications.
- Asthma: Some patients with a history of asthma may experience worsening symptoms after taking this medication.
- Liver disease: If you have severe liver damage, your body may struggle to process Ivermectin, which can cause the medication to build up in your system and increase side effects.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionIvermectin may interact with alcohol and increase the risk of side effects.
Pregnancy
cautionIvermectin should not be used when pregnancy unless necessary. So, inform your doctor if you are pregnant or suspect pregnancy. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and potential risks before prescribing Ivermectin.
Breast Feeding
cautionIvermectin should not be used in nursing mothers unless necessary. So, inform your doctor if you are a nursing mother. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and potential risks before prescribing Ivermectin.
Driving
cautionIvermectin may cause drowsiness and affect your ability to drive.
Liver
cautionIvermectin should be used with caution in patients with liver problems. Take Ivermectin only under the supervision of a healthcare professional.
Kidney
safe if prescribedIvermectin can be used in patients with kidney problems only when prescribed by your doctor.
Children
cautionIvermectin should be given to children when prescribed by a child specialist only.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Wash linens and clothing: To prevent reinfection from scabies or certain roundworms, wash all bedding, towels, and recently worn clothes in hot water (at least 140°F or 60°C) and dry them on high heat.
- Practice strict hand hygiene: Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after using the restroom, changing diapers, and before eating to stop the spread of parasites.
- Avoid raw or undercooked food: Since some parasitic infections are contracted through contaminated food or water, ensure all meats are thoroughly cooked and drink only clean, treated water.
- Keep fingernails short: Trim your fingernails short and keep them clean to prevent parasite eggs from getting trapped underneath, which can lead to self-reinfection.
Special Advise
- To reduce dizziness upon standing, avoid standing up too quickly from a sitting or lying position. Get up slowly and rest your feet on the floor for a few minutes before standing up.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Strongyloidiasis is a threadworm infection. In this condition, a type of roundworm invades the intestine by entering into the body through the skin. It is characterized by symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhoea, constipation, bloating, and skin rashes.
Onchocerciasis, also called river blindness, is a worm that affects the skin and eyes. It causes symptoms such as skin rashes, severe itching, bumps under the skin, and visual impairment.
FAQs
Ivermectin is a widely used medication to treat various infections caused by parasites, including strongyloidiasis (a roundworm infection) and control onchocerciasis (a worm infection that affects skin and eyes).
Ivermectin can cause fever and rash. However, you may or may not develop a fever while using Ivermectin as everybody does not experience the same side-effects.
Ivermectin can be used for treating scabies only when prescribed by a doctor.
No, it is not recommended to take Ivermectin daily. Take this medication as prescribed by your doctor.
Ivermectin should be used with caution in patients with seizures or epilepsy. Consult a doctor before using Ivermectin to avoid unwanted side-effects.
Ivermectin is used to treat parasitic infections. So, consult a doctor before using Ivermectin for any skin infection.
No, Ivermectin is not available over the counter. It can only be taken if prescribed by a doctor. Take it only under the supervision of a healthcare professional.
Take Ivermectin only as prescribed by your doctor. It should be taken on an empty stomach with the glass of water. Do not crush or chew the medicine. Avoid intake of any food 2 hours before or two hours after taking Ivermectin. In case of children less than 6 years, tablets should be crushed before swallowing.
Ivermectin is effective if it is used as advised by the doctor. Use Ivermectin for as long as it is prescribed by the doctor. Do not discontinue Ivermectin early as the symptoms may return or worsen.
Ivermectin works by binding to the muscle and nerve cells of parasites. This binding causes paralysis and death of the parasites, effectively treating the parasitic infections.
If you forget to take a dose of Ivermectin, do not worry. Take it as soon as you remember. But, if it is time for your next dose, skip the missed dose, take your regular dose. Do not take a double dose to make up for the missed dose.
Ivermectin is generally considered safe when used as directed by your doctor. It is important to follow your doctor's instructions carefully and inform them of any pre-existing conditions or other medications you are taking.
The most common side effects of Ivermectin are dizziness, neck or back pain, fast heart rate, diarrhoea and nausea. If you get effected with these side effects while taking the Ivermectin please consult your doctor.
While Ivermectin starts working to paralyse and kill parasites within a few hours of taking it, your physical symptoms may take several days or even weeks to fully resolve. Follow up with your doctor to verify the infection is completely cleared.
No, Ivermectin is specifically designed to treat infections caused by parasites. It is not effective against viral infections like the common cold, flu, or COVID-19. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about the right treatment for viral illnesses.
For many common parasitic infections, a single dose of Ivermectin is enough. However, depending on the type of parasite and the severity of the infection, your doctor may prescribe a second dose a few weeks later. Talk to your doctor to understand your specific treatment plan.
It is highly recommended to avoid alcohol while taking Ivermectin. Alcohol can worsen side effects like dizziness, sleepiness, headache, and skin rashes. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have concerns.
The safety of Ivermectin during pregnancy has not been fully established. It is generally recommended to avoid using it during pregnancy unless your doctor decides the benefits outweigh the potential risks. Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant.
Mild itching can sometimes occur as the parasites die off, especially during treatment for river blindness or scabies. However, if the itching is severe, accompanied by a major skin rash, swelling, or difficulty breathing, seek emergency medical care immediately, as this could indicate an allergic reaction.
No, Ivermectin works by killing the adult and developing larvae of parasites, but it does not destroy their eggs. This is why your doctor may sometimes prescribe a second dose a week or two later to kill any new parasites that have hatched. Talk to your doctor for more details.
