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Medication: Ivermectin (Stromectol, Soolantra, Sklice)
Price for 12 mg: from only $ 2.00 per pill
Available Dosages: 12 mg, 6 mg, 3 mg
FDA Approved Treatment: Conditions caused by parasitic worms
Ivermectin: Features of Using an Antiparasitic Drug
Ivermectin is related to avermectin, an antimalarial. However, even its recognized ability to help fight malaria seems to have been underestimated. Recent studies show that the mass use of Ivermectin by the population significantly reduces the number of mosquitoes that carry malaria.
Ivermectin is an effective medical drug for fighting various types of parasites. The course of treatment involves injections, taking tablets or applying an ointment. It all depends on the nature of the disease. It is used to treat scabies, onchocerciasis, pediculosis and other parasitic microorganisms.
Features of the drug
The manufacturer warns that a doctor’s prescription is required for its use. The drug is intended for the treatment of people and animals. Do not look for it in veterinary pharmacies. If your doctor has prescribed Ivermectin, you should buy a medicine that is used in human medicine, not in veterinary medicine.
The success of the therapy depends on this. Ivermectin is an antiparasitic drug widely used in medicine to combat parasitic infections in humans and animals.
Doctors note that Ivermectin is effective against various parasites, such as lice, ticks, and worms. However, it is necessary to strictly follow the dosage and use recommendations since improper use of the drug can cause side effects, including allergic reactions and liver problems.
It is important to remember that self-medication with Ivermectin can be dangerous, so before using it, you must consult a doctor.
Our doctors recommend using Ivermectin only as prescribed by a licensed healthcare providers and not to abuse this drug for prevention unless necessary.
Other people’s experience
Ivermectin is an antiparasitic drug that has become the subject of lively discussions among people and the medical community. Some people claim that Ivermectin helps them fight COVID-19, despite the lack of approval from official medical organizations.
However, it is worth remembering that self-medication with this drug can be dangerous due to possible side effects and dosages not recommended for use in humans.
Therefore, it is important to consult a doctor before deciding to use Ivermectin for the prevention or treatment of diseases. However, research is ongoing, and perhaps in the future, a more accurate idea of the effectiveness and safety of this drug will be obtained.
Pharmacological action
This medication has antiparasitic properties and is effective against a variety of parasites, including scabies mites, helminths, and lice. It is used for both human and veterinary treatment.
Pharmacodynamics
Ivermectin can be administered externally, orally, or via injection. It works by blocking neuromuscular transmission in parasites, leading to paralysis and ultimately their death. Despite its broad spectrum of activity, the drug has low toxicity. When used according to the recommended dosage and instructions, side effects are rare.
Pharmacokinetics
The drug is characterized by rapid absorption and uniform distribution in tissues. The highest concentration in the blood is achieved after about 4 hours. After 1 – 2 days, Ivermectin is excreted from the body through the intestines.
Indications
According to the instructions for use, treatment with Ivermectin is only possible orally. This drug is indicated for the following diseases:
- demodicosis;
- scabies;
- myiasis;
- onchocerciasis;
- strongyloidiasis;
- trichuriasis;
- filariasis.
The advantages of Ivermectin include its effect not only on mature parasites but also on their larvae, which allows it to be used to treat gastrointestinal and lung lesions, where it is difficult to get rid of nematodes. Analogues of the drug, as well as the original, are relatively safe for humans, but the drug must be used in strict accordance with the instructions for use, and better yet – as prescribed by a doctor.
Depending on the specific disease, treatment consists of taking the prescribed dose twice, with an interval of two weeks. The dosage recommended by the attending physician should not be exceeded independently – this is fraught with the development of undesirable effects. The treatment does not relieve a person from the need to take repeated tests – this will allow the doctor to be sure of the success of the therapy.
Reviews of people who have undergone a course of therapy say that in most cases the treatment is successful. To obtain a good therapeutic effect of the drug, it is prescribed to take it 20-30 minutes before meals, drinking plenty of water.
During treatment, it is advisable to follow a diet, limit the consumption of canned, fatty and excessively spicy foods. Drinking alcoholic beverages during treatment for demodicosis is undesirable.
Instructions for use
For the treatment of parasitic infections in humans, Ivermectin is most commonly administered in tablet form. It is recommended that adults take the medication in the morning on an empty stomach, with a full glass of water, without chewing or crushing the tablet. The standard dosage for an adult weighing approximately 70 kg is typically 12 mg. However, the exact dosage and duration of treatment should always be determined by a healthcare professional, based on the patient’s body weight, overall health condition, and the severity and type of parasitic infestation.
In some cases, a single dose may be sufficient, while more complex infections might require multiple doses. When multiple doses are prescribed, there should be an interval of at least seven days between administrations to allow the body to process the medication effectively and to ensure the complete eradication of the parasites.
In certain clinical situations, especially when treating more severe or mixed infections, a doctor may recommend a combination approach—prescribing both oral tablets and an injectable form of Ivermectin. Even in such cases, a minimum of one week should elapse between treatments to avoid potential toxicity or adverse reactions.
Additionally, Ivermectin can be used topically. For external use, the drug is typically formulated as an ointment or cream and is applied directly to the affected areas of the skin. This method is commonly used to treat localized parasitic infections such as scabies or lice infestations.
As with any medication, it is important to follow the prescribed treatment plan closely and consult a healthcare provider if any unusual symptoms or side effects occur during the course of treatment.
The use of this drug is not recommended for newborns or children under the age of 5, particularly those weighing less than 15 kilograms. For older children who meet the minimum weight requirement, Ivermectin may be prescribed at a dosage of 150 micrograms per kilogram of body weight. The medication is contraindicated during pregnancy and should also be avoided by breastfeeding mothers due to potential risks to the infant.
Side effects
Depending on the characteristics of the body, taking Ivermectin is accompanied by some unpleasant symptoms. The most common manifestations are nausea, diarrhea, and dizziness. Sometimes, there is an increase and soreness of the lymph nodes.
When treating helminthiasis or demodicosis in humans, in rare cases, symptoms develop that resemble the Mazotti reaction – on the second day after taking the drug, the temperature may rise, and severe headache, drowsiness, and loss of strength are noted.
Skin itching, initially slight, intensifies, diarrhea, joint and muscle pain joins. Tachycardia often occurs, accompanied by a drop in blood pressure. With demodicosis, itching intensifies significantly. Such manifestations are eliminated by taking acetylsalicylic acid and antihistamines. In rare cases, steroids are prescribed. Severe reactions develop in about 3% of patients.
In rare cases, other side effects may occur, which are more likely to be associated with the disease itself rather than with taking the drug.
Contraindications
To prevent the risk of overdose and the development of undesirable effects from taking Ivermectin, this drug is supplied with detailed instructions for use. It should be noted that the dosage of the drug indicated in it is approximate – the treatment of demodicosis and ascariasis may differ. Therefore, independent use is still undesirable. The drug has few contraindications:
- pregnancy or its planning, breastfeeding;
- severe allergic reactions in the anamnesis;
- confirmed parasitic diseases caused by pathogens insensitive to this drug;
- severe immunosuppression HIV, AIDS, severe somatic pathologies.
Since GABA-ergic activity in people after taking this drug increases, it is unacceptable to use Ivermectin together with barbiturates (phenobarbital) or benzodiazepines (phenazepam). Clinical studies of this drug have not been conducted on children, it cannot be used to treat them, even with mild demodicosis.
For any helminthiasis, this drug is not prescribed if there is a suspicion of a violation of the permeability of the blood-brain barrier, which is typical for meningitis. It is unacceptable to combine this drug with other antiparasitic drugs.
The risk of developing side effects increases with an unauthorized excess of the dose or with self-administration of the drug without a doctor’s prescription.
You should know that the risks increase with the simultaneous use of alcohol and excessive physical activity, in the summer, in hot weather. The risk increases with concomitant infectious diseases. The use of Ivermectin for Loiasis can lead to the death of the patient. A preliminary consultation with a parasitologist is a guarantee of safe and effective treatment.
Interaction with other drugs
Ivermectin can interact with various drugs, changing their effectiveness or increasing the risk of side effects. Known drug interactions:
- Hormonal contraceptives: Ivermectin may reduce the effectiveness of birth control pills. Alternative methods of contraception are recommended.
- Cyclosporine: Contraindicated when used together, as it may significantly increase the risk of hepatotoxicity.
- Rifampin: May reduce the effectiveness of Ivermectin.
- Warfarin: Requires careful monitoring, as Ivermectin may alter its anticoagulant effect.
Before starting Ivermectin, be sure to tell your doctor about any medications, supplements, or herbal products you are taking.
Ivermectin for Covid-19
Ivermectin is an antiparasitic drug used primarily in veterinary medicine. In some countries, its use is permitted for people suffering from pediculosis, scabies, lymphatic filariasis, strongyloidiasis, and onchocerciasis.
Previously, the antiviral activity of this drug against some viruses was demonstrated in vitro. A phase III study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of this drug in patients with dengue fever. The drug was ineffective in treating this disease but was well tolerated by patients.
Quite good tolerability of the drug was also shown for its antiparasitic use. The journal Antiviral Research received a publication describing the results of the work of Australian virologists, which has now undergone preliminary peer review.
In vitro, on a culture of cells infected with the SARS-COV-2 virus, it was shown that a single addition of Ivermectin to the medium is sufficient to achieve a 93% reduction in the number of viral particles in the supernatant (the liquid part in which the cells were contained) and 99.8% in the cells after 24 hours, according to PCR data. After 48 and 72 hours, viruses were not detected in the cell culture. No signs of toxic cell damage were detected.
The probable mechanism of the antiviral action of Ivermectin is the inhibition of the transport of viral proteins into the host cell nucleus mediated by the IMPα/β1 protein.
The negative results of a clinical trial with Dengue fever are not a reason for pessimism – the authors point out that it is caused by viruses from another group (filoviruses), which may respond differently to the use of Ivermectin.
In 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic began, scientists began to urgently search for a cure for this disease. There was no time to develop a new drug, so the researchers hoped that some existing drug would have additional properties useful in the fight against coronavirus.
One of the drugs that was included in the list of potentially effective against COVID-19 was Ivermectin.
Computer modeling showed that Ivermectin is able to suppress the enzyme responsible for duplicating the viral genome in infected cells.
And some laboratory experiments on infected cells have shown that this drug prevents the coronavirus from transferring its genetic material into the host cell nucleus. All this prevents the coronavirus from creating new viral particles.
But when scientists tried to figure out how much of the drug a person should take so that its concentration in the lungs would be the same as in a test tube, they were disappointed.
Ivermectin is a potent drug that can easily be poisoned. A safe dose of Ivermectin, which destroys parasites but does not harm health, is 150-200 mcg per kilogram of weight.
That is, a person weighing 70 kg can take only 14 mg of Ivermectin without harm to health – about as much as one tablet contains.
However, animal experiments have shown that one Ivermectin tablet does not allow one to achieve a concentration at which the drug can effectively act on coronaviruses. Two tablets are also not enough.
Even when scientists took a huge dose -120 mg, the concentration of Ivermectin in the lungs was still half that needed for a therapeutic effect. Given these data, many researchers doubt that Ivermectin can help with the coronavirus disease.
