What's on this Page
Ivermectin Brand Names
Sklice | Soolantra | Stromectol
What is Ivermectin
Ivermectin (dihydroavermectin B1) is an antiparasitic agent of the avermectin class. Ivermectin has structural similarities to the macrolide antibiotics but lacks antibacterial activity.
Avermectins are produced naturally by the actinomycete Streptomycetes avermetilis. Ivermectin lotion is used topically to treat Pediculosis capitis (head lice). Ivermectin cream is used topically for the treatment of inflammatory lesions of rosacea.
Oral ivermectin is used in treating infections due to Onchocerca volvulus (onchocerciasis) or Strongyloides stercoralis (strongyloidiasis). Ivermectin is only active against the tissue microfilariae of Onchocerca volvulus and the intestinal stage of Strongyloides stercoralis; ivermectin has no activity against adult Onchocerca volvulus.
Although not FDA-approved for infections due to Sarcoptes scabiei (scabies), crusted (Norwegian) scabies, or superinfected scabies, ivermectin has been used successfully to treat these conditions.
Ivermectin is effective against the circulating microfilariae of Wuchereria bancrofti (responsible for Bancroft’s filariasis) and other major filarial diseases (i.e., Loa loa).
However, ivermectin is not effective against Mansonella perstans.
Ivermectin has also demonstrated promise for the treatment of nematodes such as cutaneous larva currens and localized and disseminated cutaneous larva migrans. Ivermectin is recommend by The World Health Organization (WHO) for treating onchocerciasis (river blindness) and lymphatic filariasis (Bancroft’s filariasis). Resistance to ivermectin has not been reported.
Ivermectin oral tablets were FDA-approved in November 1996. Ivermectin lotion was approved in February 2012.
Ivermectin cream was approved in December 2014.
Indications
- acne rosacea
- crusted (Norwegian) scabies
- cutaneous larva migrans
- filariasis
- Onchocerca volvulus
- onchocerciasis
- pediculosis
- Pediculus capitis
- Pediculus corporis
- Sarcoptes scabiei
- scabies
- Strongyloides stercoralis
- strongyloidiasis
- Wuchereria bancrofti
Side Effects
- abdominal pain
- anemia
- angioedema
- anorexia
- arthralgia
- asthenia
- back pain
- coma
- confusion
- conjunctivitis
- constipation
- contact dermatitis
- diarrhea
- dizziness
- drowsiness
- dyspnea
- edema
- elevated hepatic enzymes
- encephalopathy
- eosinophilia
- fatigue
- fecal incontinence
- fever
- hepatitis
- hyperbilirubinemia
- keratitis
- lethargy
- leukopenia
- lymphadenopathy
- maculopapular rash
- nausea
- ocular hemorrhage
- ocular irritation
- orthostatic hypotension
- peripheral edema
- prolonged bleeding time
- pruritus
- rash
- seizures
- sinus tachycardia
- skin irritation
- Stevens-Johnson syndrome
- synovitis
- toxic epidermal necrolysis
- tremor
- urinary incontinence
- urticaria
- uveitis
- vertigo
- visual impairment
- vomiting
- xerosis
Monitoring Parameters
- LFTs
- ophthalmologic exam
- pregnancy testing
- stool exam
Contraindications
- asthma
- breast-feeding
- children
- hepatic disease
- human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection
- immunosuppression
- infants
- Loa loa coinfection
- neonates
- onchodermatitis
- pregnancy
Interactions
- Aprepitant, Fosaprepitant
- Boceprevir
- Idelalisib
- Mirabegron
- Mitotane
- Posaconazole
- Telaprevir
- Warfarin
