Ivermectin is an anthelmintic drug that acts by incapacitating and killing the infection-causing parasites. The treatment is prescribed to treat infections caused by parasites such as head lice. Treating parasitic infections and infectious diseases with Ivermectin eases symptoms and improves the life quality of sufferers.

Curing parasitic roundworms, in patients with weak immune systems, can diminish the risk of severe and life-threatening infections. Food and Drug Administration does not recommend Ivermectin as a treatment to treat or prevent Covid 19 unless you are registered in clinical trials.

What is Ivermectin medication

Ivermectin is acquired from an extremely active broad-spectrum antiparasitic agent known as Avermectin.  The drug is commonly used to treat parasitic infections and for treatment of other health conditions.

Each dose of Ivermectin tablet contains 3mg of Ivermectin powder and a few inert materials such as silicon dioxide, cellulose, magnesium stearate, and pregelatinized starch. The color of Ivermectin tablets varies from white to yellowish-white.

Ivermectin medicine is not an antibiotic, antibiotics such as amoxicillin and azithromycin are used to treat bacterial infections. However, Ivermectin is an antiparasitic drug. It sticks to the nerve cells of the parasites causing paralysis in parasites that lead to death of parasites.

Ivermectin medicine for human use was developed as a cure for fast-spreading onchocerciasis infection in African countries. So, Ivermectin medicine meant for humans available in small doses is safe and beneficial for humans. Whereas Ivermectin for animals is available in large doses.

Other than its parasitic activity, Ivermectin has shown significant anti-inflammatory and anti-viral properties. Ivermectin is easily available in pharmacies, however, it is not an Over the Counter medication. You can effortlessly purchase the drug online or from your local pharmacist only on prescription.

Ivermectin to treat parasitic infections

Ivermectin medicine for humans is an antiparasitic drug, usually used to treat river blindness onchocerciasis. River blindness is an infection that occurs due to black flies bites, which manifests as vision impairment and skin itching.

Ivermectin drug is commonly prescribed to treat intestinal strongyloidiasis, the disease involves diarrhea and abdominal pain. Other than that the most common use of Ivermectin is treating scabies and other skin infections involving itching and rashes.

Ivermectin is broadly used to treat certain parasitic infections such as threadworm infestations, roundworm infestation, filariasis or elephantiasis, Loiasis, tropical eosinophilia, and whipworm infestation.

Ivermectin for humans rapidly gets absorbed, reaching all-out plasma concentration for 4 hours with a 12mg dose. The drug does not efficiently kill adult worms but blocks the production of microfilaria after a few months of therapy.

How to use Ivermectin Tablets

World Health Organization does not recommend consuming Ivermectin without consulting a  physician. The drug is safe when prescribed by expert healthcare professionals and taken in low doses or as suggested by physicians.

Usually, Ivermectin is prescribed as a short-term treatment. The dosage and how long you need to take it clearly depend on the nature of the disease and the age of the patent. Generally, a single dose of Ivermectin is prescribed that may be followed by follow-up small doses in case ther symptoms persist.

It is recommended to take Ivermectin on an empty stomach at least 1 hour before a meal or two hours after the meal. The exact dose of the Ivermectin tablet depends on the type of disease and body weight. It is extremely vital to take Ivermectin only as prescribed by your doctor.

The drug remains in the blood for around 18 hours so pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers should use Ivermectin only after consulting the doctor. Ivermectin may pass into the breast feed. The medicine should not be prescribed to children weighing less than 15kg.

In Patients suffering from kidney diseases or liver disease, using Ivermectin impacts the metabolism. Due to that, the medication can stay in the blood for a  longer period. Such patients should only consume Ivermectin under an expert physician. So make sure you tell your doctor bout your medical history.

Ivermectin should not be consumed in higher doses or even small doses for longer than prescribed by your doctor. Usually, a single dose of Ivermectin tablet is prescribed which is suggested to take with an empty stomach and with a glass of water.

Sometimes, your doctor may prescribe Ivermectin at multiple frequencies several months after the first dose in order to treat the infection completely. Usually, it is great for patients with weak immune systems.

In case you miss the recommended dose of Ivermectin, you can take the missed dose immediately as you realize it. If you realize that you missed the dose at the time of the next dose, skip it. If you take the next dose and missed dose together, it can cause an overdose. You should never take extra dosage of the drug to make up for the missed dose.

In order to evaluate the response and working of Ivermectin you need to provide frequent stool samples. In case of high doses of drug or an overdose, consult your doctor or call the local poison control center for medical attention.

Ivermectin is not a steroid

Some people doubt Ivermectin is a steroid. That’s not true. Ivermectin drug is not a steroid.  Steroids imitate the action of cortisol and prevent swelling in the body. Some commonly used steroids are betamethasone and prednisolone etc.

However, Ivermectin belongs to the anthelmintic drug category of medication. These drugs are effective to treat parasitic infections and worm infections and parasitic worms such as Pediculosis, River blindness, Strongyloidiasis, Myiasis, and Gnathostomiasis.

Ivermectin for covid 19

During the Covid 19 pandemic, many people have been widely claiming that Ivermectin is effective to treat or prevent covid 19 and associated symptoms . There is no credible scientific evidence to support such claims about the drug.

Major health organizations Food and Drug Administration, World Health Organization, the Center for Disease Control, and European Medicines Agency have not approved Ivermectin treatment for Covid 19 and associated symptoms.

A comprehensive research published in the American Journal of Therapeutics revealed that consistent use of Ivermectin may diminish the risk of contracting covid 19. But there are no sufficient studies and evidence regarding same.

During the initial wave of covid 19, Ivermectin was widely prescribed to treat viral disease. However, there is limited data about the study and no safety data that suggest the effectiveness of Ivermectin for covid 19. So It is not recommended to use Ivermectin as a treatment for covid 19.

Drug Interactions

A drug interaction means the effects of a certain drug are altered due to other medications or other drugs, drink, food, or any chemical agent. Drug interactions with Ivermectin drug depend on how the medication performs.

The products that may interact with Ivermectin and cause serious side effects include benzodiazepines, barbiturates, valproic acid, and sodium oxybate.

It is recommended to not drink alcohol while taking Ivermectin treatment. Alcohol contributes to an enhanced concentration of the Ivermectin drug in the bloodstream. It may enhance the risk of serious adverse events.

Side effects associated with Ivermectin treatment

Mild side effects of Ivermectin medications are dizziness, itching, fever, weakness, loss of energy, or skin rash. Serious side effects comprise severe itching, muscular pain, muscle spasm, headaches, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, seizures, tingling sensation, and swelling around the face, hands, arms, feet, and legs.

Ivermectin and pregnancy

There is no data on the use of Ivermectin medication to treat infection in the pregnant woman. As per oral reproductive toxicity studies, Ivermectin medication is teratogenic in rabbits and rats. So, the use of Ivermectin drug is contradicted in pregnant women. However, teratogenicity in humans is not expected depending on limited clinical data.

On oral administration, Ivermectin is evacuated in minimal amounts in breastfeed. The evacuation of topical administration in breastfeeding needs studies. After oral administration of Ivermectin, the Ivermectin passes in breast milk in very low concentrations.

Allergic reactions and precautions

If you are allergic to Ivermectin, certain ingredients, or foods you should tell your pharmacist or doctor. Ivermectin may contain inactive ingredients which may cause allergic reactions or adverse effects. Ivermectin may cause terrible allergic reactions.

The symptoms include skin rash, trouble breathing, and swelling in the tongue and throat. If these symptoms occur, call the nearest emergency help center of the poison control center. Do not take ivermectin if you are allergic to it. Taking the drug again could be fatal.

If you have lived in or traveled to West or Central Africa, you may be infected with certain parasites that could cause issues with Ivermectin medication. In rare cases, these effects may cause severe effects on the brain.

You should be aware that your infection or parasitic disease would not be treated properly if you do not take the medication as prescribed or if you stop taking it without consulting your doctor.