What is Ivermectin and what is it for?

Ivermectin is an active principle or drug for use in humans and also in animals, which is used for different applications, among which its antiparasitic stands out. Furthermore, it is an antifilarial drug that is widely used in animals to control fleas and ticks, and in humans for the treatment of a parasitic disease called filariasis.

Ivermectin is even currently used in mass chemotherapy, as it helps control onchocerciasis. It can also be used in patients with scabies or acarosis (scabies). Currently ivermectin is widely used in the treatment of lice, either topically through soapy solutions and lotions, or systemically, through pills or tablets orally. Doctors can even give this drug through an injection.

This drug can only be used under strict medical prescription with proper professional medical controls.

What is Ivermectin for?

Ivermectin, as mentioned above, can be very effective in fighting scabies, a skin condition that causes itching as a result of small mites that are found under the skin. This condition is known as scabies or acarosis.

In addition, it is used to treat other types of parasite infections. In treating lice, ivermectin plays a very important role, as it can effectively treat head or pubic lice.

Ivermectin is also a drug for veterinary use widely used as an antiparasitic treatment for different diseases in animals such as scabies and filiarosis. It must be taken into account that this medicine mismanaged in animals can be very dangerous, so its use must be prescribed by a professional.

Ivermectin for dogs

Ivermectin is used as a powerful antiparasitic in dogs, since it is used to treat mange, both dermodectic and sarcoptic, as well as other external parasites, such as fleas, ticks, mites, etc. Even ivermectin treatment is very helpful in preventing canine heartworm, known as heartworm disease, which is transmitted by mosquitoes.

Despite the fact that this drug is widely used in dogs and that it is quite effective, you must be very careful in terms of the medical care that the professional has recommended, because exceeding the canine dose can poison your dog and even poison it. You must also be very attentive, as some dogs may be more sensitive to ivermectin.

Ivermectin for scabies

The most successful in the case of scabies is to combine ivermectin with other medications topically (on the skin) that help to counteract the harmful effects, lesions and skin infections caused by scabies mites.

Oral ivermectin (200 μg / kg / dose) is taken with food in a single dose. For the treatment of classic scabies, the agent of choice is 5% permethrin cream, applied to the entire surface of the skin, except around the eyes.

What is ivermectin for in children?

Ivermectin in children can be a very effective treatment for lice. At an early age, children are more likely to be contaminated with lice since they are in greater contact with children in schools, parks, etc.

It can be found in the form of a shampoo or lotion to remove nits. It can also be obtained in pill form, which makes the treatment more effective, but requires medical supervision. However, it is a fairly safe and fast treatment.

Ivermectin in tablet form manages to paralyze and kill the louse parasite, since it uses GABA or glutamate to modify the permeability of the chlorine ions of the cell membrane, acting only on the central nervous system, hyperpolarizing these nerves.

Other Uses of Ivermectin

Ivermectin is also very effective in treating other parasites that can affect the digestive, metabolic, and respiratory systems. These include nematodes, a cylindrical-shaped parasite called “round” that live inside the body of dogs.

They can be installed in different organs such as the heart, lungs, stomach, intestine, etc. The treatment for these parasites should be treated with doses that are gradually increasing to be able to check the evolution of the animal before continuing with the treatment.

Ivermectin is also used to control onchocerciasis disease, a parasitic infection known as “river blindness” that can cause rashes, vision problems, bumps under the skin, among other symptoms. Ivermectin can then destroy the developing parasites, which helps control the disease.

Furthermore, ivermectin can be used in the treatment of stronglandiasis, a parasitic infection of the intestines, in which this drug is capable of destroying said parasites present.

Ivermectin properties

Ivermectin is absorbed orally within a maximum of 4 hours. It acts on the nerves and muscle cells of the parasite it attacks. After being metabolized, approximately 12 hours, it is excreted in feces and urine.

How is Ivermectin taken?

Ivermectin is best taken as a single dose with a full glass (8 ounces) of water on an empty stomach (1 hour before breakfast), unless your doctor tells you otherwise. To help clear up the infection, you must take this medicine exactly as your doctor tells you; another dose every 3 to 12 months may be recommended.

Your doctor may also prescribe a corticosteroid (a cortisone-like medication) for certain river blind patients, especially those with severe symptoms. This is to help reduce the inflammation caused by the death of the worms. If your doctor prescribes these two medications together, it is important that you take the corticosteroid together with ivermectin and do not miss any doses.

The dose of this medicine will be different for each patient. The doctor is the one who should recommend the doses, and also the precautions of the medicine included on the label or packaging should be read very well. The dose of ivermectin that is taken depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses taken each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which the medicine is being used.

• Adults and adolescents: the dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. The usual dose is 150 micrograms (mcg) per kilogram (kg) (68 mcg per pound) of body weight in a single dose. Treatment can be repeated every three to twelve months.
• Children: The dose in children is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. For children who weigh 15 kg (33 pounds) or more, the usual dose is 150 mcg per kg (68 mcg per pound) of body weight as a single dose. If necessary, the treatment can be repeated every three to twelve months. For children weighing less than 15 kg, use and dosage must be determined by your doctor.

Ivermectin side effects

The drug ivermectin can cause:

• Increased itching.

• Itching, edema, headaches.

• By destroying the filariae it can cause allergic reactions.

• Moderate reactions in patients with onchocerciasis: eye irritation, headache, arthralgia, myalgia, lymphadenopathy, fever, edema.

• Severe reactions: marked functional impairment, encephalopathy.

• In very high doses it can produce toxicity and negatively affect the brain of dogs under medication.
• Caution should be exercised with puppies and some breeds, as they may be more sensitive to this drug.