Ivermectin is an antiparasitic medication widely used for the treatment of certain types of parasitic infections such as intestinal strongyloidiasis, onchocerciasis, head lice, trichuriasis, ascariasis, and enterobiasis. It is a semi-synthetic drug derived from avermectin, a highly active broad-spectrum antiparasitic agent.
Key things to know about Ivermectin
- Oral Ivermectin tablets are available as a generic drug and under different brand names such as Stromectol.
- Topical Ivermectin is also available in the form of Ivermectin lotion and Ivermectin cream that you can apply to your skin.
- Ivermectin oral tablet is prescribed to treat infections caused by parasitic worms of the Intestinal tract, eyes, and skin.
- Taking large doses of Ivermectin can be dangerous and even fatal.
- Food and Drug Administration has approved Ivermectin for treating parasitic infections and certain skin conditions (rosacea) in humans.
- FDA has not approved Ivermectin for the treatment of Covid 19 in humans or animals.
- Existing data do not prove the effectiveness of Ivermectin against Covid 19 thus clinical trials are ongoing.
- If your doctor or healthcare professional prescribed you Ivermectin, make sure you get it from a legitimate source and take it correctly as suggested.
- Ivermectin intended for animal use is different from that intended for human use. Never use veterinary medications that are meant for large animals as these can be dangerous.
What is Ivermectin?
Ivermectin belongs to a class of drugs called antiparasitic drugs. Anti parasite medication Ivermectin is a prescription medication accessible in the form of an Ivermectin oral tablet, Ivermectin topical cream, and Ivermectin topical lotion.
Ivermectin is available as both a generic drug and a brand-name drug. Usually, generic drugs can be purchased at a cheaper cost than brand-name drugs. In some cases, generic drugs are not accessible in every strength as the brand name medication.
Why a healthcare professional prescribes Ivermectin?
Healthcare professionals prescribe Ivermectin to treat many skin, intestinal tract, and eye infections caused by various parasites. Most commonly Ivermectin is prescribed to treat infections including Strongyloidiasis, Onchocerciasis, Scabies, Filariasis, Ascariasis, and Cutaneous Larva Migrans.
Dosage
Usually Ivermectin is prescribed as a single dose. However, in order to treat your infection effectively, your doctor may prescribe you take Ivermectin several months or a year after your initial dose. People with weak immune systems may require more than one dose of Ivermectin.
How to use
It is recommended to take Ivermectin on an empty stomach. Take an Ivermectin tablet at least 2 hours before and after a meal. Take it with a full glass of water. Make sure you do not alter the dosage or timings of the dosage without consulting your doctor.
How does Ivermectin work against Infections?
Once you take an Ivermectin tablet, it binds to the internal parts of the infection-causing parasite. It ultimately paralyzes and kills the parasite or prevents adult parasites from producing larvae for a while. This way the drug treats your infections improving the symptoms.
Ivermectin drug interactions
Ivermectin can interact with other drugs, herbs, vitamins, supplements or ingredients, etc if you take them while taking Ivermectin medication. A drug interaction occurs when a particular substance alters the way a medicine works against the infection. It can be unsafe or stop the medicine from working as it is supposed to.
In order to avoid drug interactions, your doctor should know about all the medications, supplements, or herbs you are taking so that they can manage all your medicines carefully. To know about the Ivermectin may interact with other ingredients you are consuming consult with your doctor or pharmacist.
The drugs that interact with Ivermectin and may cause an increased risk of adverse effects are mentioned below:
Warfarin
Taking the blood thinners such as Warfarin with Ivermectin can lead to too much blood thinning and cause perilous bleeding. If it is necessary to take both of these medicines together, your healthcare provider will screen your International Normalized ratio.
Abametapir
When Ivermectin is combined with Abametapir, the serum concentration of Ivermectin medication can be enhanced.
Abemaciclib
When taken together, Abemaciclib can reduce the excretion rate of Ivermectin which may lead to higher serum levels in the body.
Acenocoumarol
Taking Ivermectin in combination with Acenocoumarol can rise the anticoagulant actions of Acenocoumarol.
Acipimox
When Ivermectin is used with Acipimox, it increases the severe risk of myoglobinuria, rhabdomyolysis, and myopathy.
Afatinib and Alectinib
Afatinib and Alectinib are known to reduce the excretion rate of the Ivermectin drug which can cause higher serum levels.
Alendronic acid and Amphotericin B
Both drugs can increase the severe risk of myoglobinuria, myopathy, and rhabdomyolysis when combined with Ivermectin.
Amiodarone
When Ivermectin is combined with Amiodarone, the metabolism of Ivermectin can be reduced.
Ivermectin drug interactions are complex and should be interpreted after clinical correlation and careful evaluation as Ivermectin interacts with other medications by many mechanisms. Bother pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic interactions may occur although concluding are less frequent.
Grippingly, PD interactions are more common among the Covid 19 patients. Collaborative reactions have been described with Nitazoxanide, Doxycycline, and Hydroxychloroquine sulfate when combined with Ivermectin for Covid 19.
Additionally, Ivermectin decreases hormone excretions (dinoprostone, conjugated estrogen, liothyronine, liotrix, and raloxifene), medications intended to act on the gastrointestinal tract (cholic acid and cholecystokinin), prostacyclin receptor agonist (selexipag) and bronchodilators (salbutamol), which thus enhances the serum concentrations demanding mandatory dosage adjustments.
Apart from that, the elimination of some commonly prescribed antibiotics(Benzylpenicillin, Rifampicin, and Erythromycin), and antivirals (Asunaprevir and Grazoprevir). Endocrine drugs (Sincalide, Raloxifene, and testosterone) anticancer medications (Gimatecan) centrally acting medicines (Sumatriptan), and antihistamines (Fexofenadine) are decreased when these drugs are co-administered with Ivermectin.
The serum concentration of Eluxadoline and Haloperidol is stated to increase when combined with Ivermectin. Anticoagulant action of Acenocoumarol, Warfarin, Diphenadione, Dicoumarol, and Phenindione decreases with synchronized use of Ivermectin.
The therapeutic value of Vibrio cholera CVD103, typhoid vaccine, lactulose, and Bacille Calmetter-Guarin vaccine is decreased when coadministered with Ivermectin.
What medications cannot be taken with Ivermectin?
- Abametapir topical
- Adagrasib
- Apalutamide
- Aprepitant
- Asciminib
- Avacopan
- Elzutifan
- Boceprevir
- Bosentan
- Brigatinib
- Chloramphenicol
- Clarithromycin
- Conivaptan
- Darunavir
- Deferasirox
- Dicumarol
- Dronedarone
- Duvelisib
- Echinacea
- Efavirenz
- Enzalutamide
- Erythromycin
- Ethanol
- Etravirine
- Fexinidazole
- Fosamprenavir
- Fostamatinib
- Indinavir
- Itraconazole
- Ketoconazole
- Lefamulin
- Levoketoconazole
- Lonapegsomatropin
- Mifepristone
- Nefazodone
- Nevirapine
- Omaveloxolone
- Posaconazole
- Rifapentine
- Rufinamide
- Ritonavir
- Sirolimus
- Saquinavir
- Sodium iodide i- 123 and 131
- Somatrem
- Stiripentol
- Telaprevir
- Telithromycin
- Tucatinib
- Trofinetide
- Troleandomycin
- Voriconazole
- Warfarin
Ivermectin can cause a severe allergic reaction
Symptoms of a severe allergic reaction caused by Ivermectin include skin rash, trouble breathing, and swelling around your tongue or throat. If you experience any of these symptoms get medical attention as soon as possible.
Do not take Ivermectin if you ever have had an allergic reaction to it in the past. Taking this drug again can be dangerous.
Always take as directed by your Healthcare Professional
Ivermectin is prescribed as a short-term treatment. It may cause serious risks if not taken as prescribed by your doctor. If you stop taking Ivermectin without consulting your doctor your parasitic infection will not get cured and may come back.
If you take too much Ivermectin
It does not happen commonly if you take Ivermectin as suggested by your healthcare provider. However, if you mistakenly take too much or a too high dose of Ivermectin, you may have dangerous levels of this medication.
Symptoms of Ivermectin drug overdose are swelling, itching or skin rash, dizziness, headache, loss of energy, weakness, low blood pressure (hypotension), stomach pain, vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, shortness of breath, seizures, tingling sensation, and inability to control body movements.
If you experience any of these symptoms of drug overdose stop taking the medicine and seek medical help or call your local poison control center immediately.
When It can be unsafe to take Ivermectin?
Do not take Ivermectin if you are allergic to this drug. To make sure Ivermectin is safe for you, inform your doctor if you have kidney disease, liver disease, HIV, AIDS, cancer, or other health issues that can make your immune system weak.
Always take the recommended dose of Ivermectin and do not exceed the dose or stop taking the medicine without your doctor’s approval. Inappropriate Ivermectin use can increase the risk of side effects and can be fatal.
It is unknown whether this drug with affect an unborn baby. Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or trying to conceive while using Ivermectin. Ivermectin may pass into breast milk and affect a nursing baby. Tell your healthcare provider if you are breastfeeding your baby.
Ivermectin medication is not prescribed to children with a body weight of less than 33 pounds. children weighing above 33 pounds are mostly not prescribed more than one dose of Ivermectin. Make sure you stick to the follow-up treatment.
Talk to your doctor to know the essential drug information, possible side effects, drug interactions, etc. before starting with any medications to get the maximum outcomes of the drug.
Possible allergic reactions and side effects of Ivermectin
Like many drugs, Ivermectin is associated with certain side effects. Common side effects of Ivermectin include dizziness, mild skin rash, nausea, diarrhea, muscle aches, and headache. Common allergic reactions of Ivermectin include rash, swelling, or itching (around the face, tongue, or throat), hives, trouble breathing, or dizziness.
Serious side effects include eye pain or redness in the eyes, vision problems, puffy eyes, severe skin rash, a rash with pus, itching, balance problems, altered mental status, swollen glands, joint pain, stomach pain, fever, swelling in hands or feet, fast heart rate, loss of bladder, loss of bowel control, back or neck pain, passing out.
Common and mild side effects of this drug usually go away without requiring any treatment. However, if you experience severe side effects or allergic reactions, call your doctor immediately and get medical attention.
