Ivermectin

Ivermectin works by paralyzing and killing parasites that affect the body, particularly those that cause infections in the intestinal tract, skin, and eyes. First discovered in the late 1970s, and FDA-approved as anti-parasitic medication, ivermectin has been used in both human and veterinary medicine for decades. This medication works by paralyzing and killing parasites that affect the body, particularly those that cause infections in the intestinal tract, skin, and eyes.

How Ivermectin Works

Ivermectin works by binding to specific channels in parasite nerve and muscle cells called glutamate-gated chloride channels. This binding causes increased permeability to chloride ions, leading to hyperpolarization of the cell membrane, paralysis, and death of the parasite. This mechanism makes ivermectin effective against various parasites while having minimal impact on human cells, which lack these specific channels.

Ivermectin used to treat infections caused by roundworms, threadworms, and other parasitic organisms. It’s particularly effective against river blindness (onchocerciasis), strongyloidiasis, and scabies. Ivermectin for scabies paralyzes the mites and prevents them from reproducing. For lice, ivermectin can be used topically to kill the parasites and their eggs. Ivermectin cream formulations like Soolantra (1% ivermectin) are specifically developed to treat rosacea, where the medication reduces inflammation and kills Demodex mites that may contribute to symptoms.

Interest in ivermectin and COVID-19 emerged during the pandemic, with some early in vitro studies showing potential antiviral effects. However, major health organizations including the FDA and WHO have stated that current evidence doesn’t support using ivermectin for COVID-19 outside clinical trials, as most well-designed studies haven’t shown significant clinical benefits in humans with COVID-19.

Healthcare providers calculate ivermectin dosage for humans based on body weight, starting from 200 micrograms per kilogram (mcg/kg) .

For intestinal strongyloidiasis (threadworm infection) treatment the standard ivermectin dosage is a single oral dose of 200 mcg/kg of body weight. Some patients may require follow-up treatment 2 weeks after the initial dose if stool examination shows continued infection.

To treat onchocerciasis (river blindness), the ivermectin dosage for humans is also starts from 200 mcg/kg as a single oral dose, usually repeated every 6-12 months until the parasitic infection resolves. This treatment may continue for years in endemic areas to prevent reinfection.

For scabies infections, ivermectin dosage starts from 200 mcg/kg as a single oral dose, often with a second dose administered 1-2 weeks after the first to kill newly hatched mites. Some resistant cases may require additional doses or combination therapy with topical treatments.

Ivermectin dosage for humans for parasites may vary for less common conditions. For cutaneous larva migrans single dose of 200 mcg/kg was effective in most cases, though some patients required a second dose one week later.

Ivermectin cream for rosacea is applied as a thin layer containing 1% ivermectin once daily. Treatment usually continues for several weeks until improvement is seen, with many patients noticing results within 2-4 weeks.

If to use topical ivermectin for lice, the application instructions vary by product formulation, but involve applying the medication to dry hair, leave it on for a specified period (usually 10 minutes), and then rinse
thoroughly.

Ivermectin tablets manufactured for humans differ significantly from ivermectin paste or other veterinary formulations. The ingredients, dosage concentration, and inactive compounds in animal products are not intended for human consumption. Self-medicating with veterinary ivermectin can lead to serious health consequences including overdose, as these products are highly concentrated for large animals.

Ivermectin tablets should be taken on an empty stomach with a full glass of water. For best absorption, take the medication at least 1 hour before a meal or 2 hours after eating. If you experience stomach upset, your doctor may recommend taking ivermectin with food.

Ivermectin pills come in 3mg and 6mg tablets. It’s important to take the exact number of tablets prescribed rather than estimating dosage.

Apply a pea-sized amount to each affected area of the face, avoiding the eyes and lips of ivermectin cream for skin conditions like rosacea. Wash your hands thoroughly before and after application. The cream should be applied at approximately the same time each day, in the evening.

Older adults should be monitored more closely for side effects and drug interactions, particularly if taking multiple medications.

Ivermectin for lice is applied to dry hair, left on for the recommended time (usually 10 minutes), and then rinsed out thoroughly. A fine-toothed comb may be needed to remove dead lice after treatment.

Excessive alcohol consumption should be avoided as it may increase the risk of side effects. Grapefruit juice, which affects the metabolism of many medications, has not been shown to significantly impact ivermectin.

For intestinal parasites, effects may begin within hours, while visible improvement in skin conditions like scabies typically takes days to weeks.