What is Ivermectin, and why is it used?

Ivermectin is a sort of medication that is used to treat parasitic infections.

Mainly used to treat the following:

Intestinal strongyloidiasis, a gastrointestinal illness (anguillulosis). Strongyloides stercoralis is a kind of roundworm that causes this.

Microfilaraemia, a blood illness caused by “lymphatic filariasis.” An immature worm is known as “Wuchereria bancrofti” is to blame. Adult worms are not affected by Ivermectin; only young worms are.

Mites on the skin (scabies). When microscopic mites crawl into your skin, this is what happens. This might result in a lot of irritation. Only take Ivermectin if your doctor has confirmed or suspects you have scabies.

Ivermectin won’t prevent you from contracting one of these illnesses

It is ineffective against mature worms.

Only use Ivermectin if your doctor has confirmed or suspects you have a parasite infection.

Before you start using Ivermectin, there are a few things you should know.

Ivermectin should not be used.

In general, if you have odd symptoms that appear quickly after taking a drug, such as a rash, hives, or fever, you may be allergic to that medicine.

If you have any of the symptoms listed above, you should not use Ivermectin. Before using Ivermectin, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

What is the best way to take Ivermectin?

Always follow pharmacist instructions. If not sure, ask the doctor.

Dosage

Treatment for strongyloidiasis in the gastrointestinal tract (anguillulosis)

The suggested dose is 200 grams of Ivermectin per kilogram of body weight, given as a single dose orally.

The dosage depends on body weight, is as follows:

Bodyweight (Kilogram)

Body Weight (kg)	Dose (No.of 3 mg tab)
15 to 24	one
25 to 35	two
36 to 50	three
51 to 65	four
66 to 79	five
≥ 80	six

Microfilaraemia induced by Wuchereria bancrofti and its treatment (lymphatic filariasis)

In Wuchereria bancrofti microfilaraemia (lymphatic filariasis), a single oral dose of 150 to 200 g ivermectin per kg body weight is suggested for mass treatment campaigns every six months.

To maintain sufficient suppression of microfilaraemia in treated patients in endemic areas where therapy can only be given once per 12 months, the suggested dosage is 300 to 400 g per kg body weight.

Treated patients. Dose based on body weight.

Body Weight (Kg)	Dose (Every 6 Months) (No of 3 mg tablets)	Dose (Every 12 Months) (No of 3 mg tablets)
15 to 25	1	2
26 to 44	2	4
45 to 64	3	6
65 to 84	4	8

 

Alternatively, in the absence of weighing instruments, the ivermectin dosage for mass treatment campaigns can be calculated using the patient’s height, as follows:

Height (in cm)	Dose (Every 6 Months (No of 3 mg tablets)	DOSE (Every 12 Months ) (No of 3 mg tablets)
90 to 119	one	two
120 to 140	two	four
141 to 158	three	six
> 158	four	eight

 

Administration method

Oral tablets are available.

Take medication as prescribed.

The pills should be crushed before being swallowed by children under the age of six.

A single dosage is used for treatment. The specified number of pills should be taken all at once as a single dosage. The tablets should be taken on an empty stomach with some water. Eat nothing for at least two hours before or after taking this medication. This is because the effects of meals on the absorption of this drug in the body are unknown.

If you take more Ivermectin than is recommended, you may experience side effects.

Please get in touch with your doctor urgently.

Always follow your doctor’s prescription.

If you forget to take Ivermectin.

To make up for a missed dosage, do not take a double dose.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any further questions about how to take this drug.

Range of Ivermectin

• Ivermectin 3 Mg
• Ivermectin 6 Mg
• Ivermectin 12 Mg

Side effects that may occur

This medication, like other medicines, can have adverse effects, though not everyone experiences them. The majority of side effects are minor and do not persist long. They may be more common in persons who are afflicted with several parasites. This is especially true if they carry the parasitic worm “Loa loa.” This medication may cause the following adverse effects:

Reactions due to allergies

If you experience an allergic response, you should contact a doctor as soon as possible. The following are some symptoms:

• a rapid rise in temperature
• Redness or itching on the skin, as well as other severe skin responses
• Breathing problems
• If you have any of the aforementioned adverse effects, contact your doctor right immediately.

Other negative consequences

• Liver ailment (acute hepatitis)
• Alterations in some laboratory tests (increased liver enzymes, bilirubin in the blood, and eosinophils)
• Urine with blood

The following adverse effects are dependent on why you’re taking Ivermectin, and they are also affected by the presence of any other infections.

The following are possible adverse effects of intestinal strongyloidiasis (anguillulosis):

• I’m abnormally tired.
• Appetite loss, stomach discomfort, constipation, or diarrhea are all symptoms to look out for.
• Vomiting or nausea
• Drowsiness, dizziness
• Shaking or tremors a reduction in the number of white blood cells in the body (leukopenia)
• A reduction in the number of red blood cells or hemoglobin, the red blood pigment (anemia). Adult roundworms may also be discovered in your feces if you have intestinal strongyloidiasis (anguillulosis).

The following are possible adverse effects of microfilaraemia induced by Wuchereria bancroftian lymphatic filariasis:

• Excessive sweating or a fever
• A migraine
• Experiencing extraordinary exhaustion
• Aches and pains in muscles, joints, and other parts of the body
• Nausea, lack of appetite
• Stomach discomfort (abdominal and epigastric pain)
• A sore throat or a cough
• Breathing difficulties

Side effects must be reported.

Consult your doctor or pharmacist if you experience any adverse effects. You can help give more information on the safety of this drug by reporting adverse effects. This includes any unlisted potential adverse effects in this leaflet. You can also use the national reporting system described in Appendix V to report side effects directly.

Ivermectin and other medications

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking/using, have recently taken/used, or may take/use any additional drugs.

Before taking any medication, you should always consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Fertility, pregnancy, and breastfeeding

Before taking this, tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Pregnancy

If you’re pregnant, don’t take anything until your doctor tells you to.

Breast-feeding

Human milk contains Ivermectin, which is expelled.

If you’re breastfeeding, inform your doctor and don’t start this therapy until your doctor says so.

Before taking consult doctor.

Fertility

In rats given up to three times the maximum recommended human dose of 200 g/kg (on an mg/m2/d basis), Ivermectin showed no adverse effects on fertility.

Using machinery and driving

Ivermectin’s impact on the ability to drive and operate equipment has not been investigated. It’s impossible to rule out the chance of adverse symptoms, including dizziness, sleepiness, or feeling unsteady or spinning in specific individuals, which might impair their ability to drive or operate machinery.

Avoid driving or using machinery if you have these symptoms.

Precautions and warnings

Before using Ivermectin, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Tell your doctor about your medical history before starting Ivermectin medication.

• Inform your physician.
• If your immune system is weak and they ended (immunity disorder)
• If you reside or have lived in regions of Africa where human parasite infestations with the Loa loa filarial worm, often known as eye-worm, have been reported.

If you now reside in or have previously resided in Africa

When treating a co-infection with Onchocerca volvulus with diethylcarbamazine citrate (DEC), there is a chance of occasionally experiencing severe adverse effects.

Before using Ivermectin, see your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following apply to you (or if you are unsure).

Ivermectin isn’t meant to be used to prevent tropical parasite infections. It is ineffective against adult parasitic worms and should only be taken when a parasitic infestation is specific or highly suspected, as advised by a doctor.

Children

Ivermectin’s safety in youngsters weighing less than 15 kg has not been determined.

Patients who are elderly

There were insufficient numbers of participants aged 65 and up in clinical investigations with Ivermectin to establish if they respond differently than younger ones. There have been no observed variations in reactions between senior and younger patients in other therapeutic experiences. In general, older patients should be treated with caution due to the increased likelihood of impaired hepatic, renal, or cardiac function, as well as concurrent illness or other medication therapy.

How to store?

• Keep this medication out of children’s sight and reach.
• After the expiration date printed on the package, do not use this drug.
• Store at a temperature.
• Do not flush any medications down the toilet. Inquire with your pharmacist about how to dispose of drugs you no longer use. These methods will aid in environmental protection.

Conclusion

This medication, like other medicines, can have adverse effects, though not everyone experiences them. The majority of side effects are minor and do not persist long. They may be more common in persons who are afflicted with several parasites.