Ivermectin: functions, dosage, side effects, how to use it

What drug Ivermectin?

What is ivermectin for?

Ivermectin is a drug to treat infections caused by roundworms. This drug belongs to a class of antihelminitics that works to kill worm larvae and adult roundworms to stop reproducing. Not only that, this drug is also often used to treat scabies.

Ivermectin is an anti-parasitic drug that is only available by prescription. Doctors can prescribe it together with other drugs, for example certain antibiotics, to maximize treatment.

Usually doctors will prescribe this drug to treat several conditions such as:

• Strongiloidiasis
• Onchocerchiasis
• Cutaneous Larva Migrans
• Scabies or scabies
• Ascariasis
• Filariasis

This medication may have other uses not listed above, but may be recommended by your doctor.

Potential of ivermectin for the drug COVID-19

Ivermectin is also included in several drugs that are currently being tested as a treatment for COVID-19. The disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus or coronavirus is currently becoming a pandemic with a high incidence of cases in several countries.

A recent study carried out by a team from Monash University and the University of Melbourne, Australia, states that this drug has the potential to kill coronavirus.

The drug ivermectin has an antiviral effect by reducing the viral progression rate by 99.8% within 48 hours.

Ivermectin works by inhibiting the protein that carries the corona virus into the core of the human body. If the virus cannot enter the cell nucleus, the virus will not replicate (reproduce).

This can prevent the increase in the number of viruses in the body, so that the infection does not get worse. This efficacy is characterized by a decrease in the number of viruses (viral load) significantly in laboratory-tested cells.

However, the research was only carried out on cells found in the laboratory. So far, human trials of the drug ivermectin against COVID-19 have not been carried out.

How is ivermectin used?

In order for this drug to provide optimal benefits, use ivermectin in accordance with the rules for taking medication that the doctor gave. Some rules for using the ivermectin drug that you need to pay close attention to are:

• Take this medicine on an empty stomach, aka before eating.
• While taking this drug, it is a good idea to limit or even completely avoid alcoholic beverages.
• This medication is also available as a lotion or cream. Before using topical drugs, you should first clean the area to be treated. Then wash your hands with clean water when you are finished using them.
• Avoid applying the medicine to areas of skin that are irritated, injured, or burned.
• So as not to forget, use this medicine at the same time every day.
• If at any time you forget to take this medicine and the next interval for consumption is still far away, it is advisable to do so as soon as you remember. Meanwhile, if the time lag is near, ignore it and don't try to double the dose.
• This medicine should not be used interchangeably with other people. Even if the person has the same symptoms as you. Because, the dosage of drugs for each person may vary. The dosage is based on the medical condition and the patient's response to treatment.
• In children, the dosage is based on body weight.
• Do not reduce or increase the dose of medication without your doctor's knowledge. Taking medication that is not according to the rules can increase the risk of side effects.
• You may be asked by your doctor to undergo medical tests such as periodic checking of stool samples. This is done to ensure the effectiveness of the treatment against parasites that are lodged in the patient's body.

In principle, take this drug exactly as the doctor recommends. Follow all the instructions for using the medicine listed on the prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets carefully.

Don't hesitate to ask a doctor if you don't really understand how to use it.

Tell your doctor if your condition doesn't change or gets worse.

How to store this drug?

Ivermectin is an antiparasitic drug that should be stored at room temperature, away from direct light and damp places. Don't keep it in the bathroom. Don't freeze it. Other brands of this drug may have different storage rules.

Observe the storage instructions on the product package or ask your pharmacist. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Do not flush medicines down the toilet or down the drain unless instructed to do so. Discard this product when the drug has expired or when it is no longer needed.

Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal agency about how to safely dispose of your medicine.

Ivermectin dosage

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment.

What is the Ivermectin dosage for adults?

• Usual adult dose for onchocerciasis: 0.15 mg / kg orally once daily for 12 months.
• Usual adult dose for strongyloidiasis: 0.2 mg / kg orally once a day for 1-2 days.
• Usual adult dose for ascariasis: 0.2 mg / kg orally once a day.
• Usual adult dose for cutaneous larva migrans: 0.2 mg / kg orally once a day.
• Usual adult dose for filariasis: 0.2 mg / kg orally once a day.
• Usual adult dose for scabies: 0.2 mg / kg taken by mouth once a day and repeated within 2 weeks.

People who have a weakened immune system due to certain diseases, such as HIV / AIDS, generally need higher doses. In principle, each person may get a different dose.

This is because doctors will usually provide drug doses based on age, overall health condition, and patient response to treatment.

Please consult a doctor for more information.

What is the ivermectin dosage for children?

The ivermectin dosage for children over 5 years of age is 0.4 mg / kg to be taken only once a year, for the 4 to 6 year period.

The dosage for each child may be different. The dosage will be adjusted according to the child's age, their overall health condition, and their response to the treatment given by the doctor.

Don't hesitate to ask your doctor directly to find out a safe dosage for your little one

In what dosage preparations is this drug available?

These drugs are available in the form of tablets, creams and lotions.

Ivermectin side effects

What are the side effects of the drug ivermectin?

As with the use of other drugs, this drug certainly has a risk of side effects from mild to serious that may be experienced by its users.

Therefore, if you want to use this drug, first learn about its side effects.

Some of the most common side effects of using the drug ivermectin are:

• Nausea
• Gag
• Diarrhea
• Constipation
• Mild headaches
• Dizzy
• A reddish rash appears on the skin
• Hives
• Stomach ache
• The body feels weak, lethargic, and weak
• Swelling of the hands, ankles, or feet
• A severe allergic reaction, usually characterized by fever, sore throat, swelling of the face or tongue, burning eyes, skin pain, followed by a reddish or purplish skin rash that spreads (especially on the face and upper body) and causes blistering and peeling

The side effects above are quite mild and will go away on their own, over time. However, if these side effects do not go away, contact your doctor immediately.

Some of the serious side effects of the ivermectin drug that should be checked by a doctor immediately are:

• Blurred vision or having serious problems with your vision
• Heart beating fast
• Bladder or bowel problems
• Red, swollen, or painful eyes
• A severe allergic reaction, usually characterized by fever, sore throat, swelling of the face or tongue, burning eyes, skin pain, followed by a reddish or purplish skin rash that spreads (especially on the face and upper body) and causes blistering and peeling
• Seizures
• Loss of consciousness or fainting

Not everyone experiences the above side effects. There may be some side effects not listed above.

If you have concerns about certain side effects, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Ivermectin Drug Warnings and Cautions

What should be known before using ivermectin?

This medicine should not be taken randomly. Besides being able to increase the risk of side effects, use that is not as recommended can also decrease the effectiveness of the drug.

Therefore, some things you need to know before taking ivermectin are:

• Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you have any allergies to certain drugs, especially ivermectin or other anti-parasitic drugs
• Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have been regularly taking medication recently. Whether it's prescription, non-prescription drugs, to medicines made from natural and herbal ingredients.
• Tell your doctor if you are taking anti-anxiety medications, antidepressants, seizure medications, sleeping pills, or sedatives. Your doctor may need to change the dose of your medication or monitor you carefully to prevent unwanted side effects.
• Tell your doctor if you have or have had meningitis and trypanosomiasis.
• Tell your doctor if you have a weakened immune system due to certain diseases, such as HIV / AIDS.
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding.
• This medication has side effects that can cause dizziness and lightheadedness. Therefore, avoid driving or operating certain machines that require high alertness until the effects of the drug are completely gone. You should also avoid standing up too quickly from a lying or sitting position.
• Tell your doctor if you have a history of chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, asthma, stroke, and so on.
• Tell your doctor if you have liver or kidney damage.

Is this drug safe for pregnant and lactating women?

There is no adequate research on the risks of using the drug ivermectin in pregnant or breastfeeding women. Always consult your doctor to weigh the potential benefits and risks before using this medication.

Ivermectin is included in the risk of pregnancy category C according to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States, or the equivalent of the Food and Drug Administration (BPOM) in Indonesia.

The following references the pregnancy risk categories according to the FDA:

• A = Not at risk
• B = No risk in several studies
• C = May be risky
• D = There is positive evidence of risk
• X = Contraindicated,
• N = Unknown

There are not sufficient studies in women to find out the risk to the baby when the mother takes this drug during breastfeeding. Consider the potential benefits and potential risks before taking this medication during breastfeeding.

Ivermectin Drug Interactions

What medicines may interact with ivermectin?

Interactions with other drugs can affect how the drug works and increase the risk of dangerous side effects. This article does not list all possible drug interactions.

Record all medicinal products you use (including prescription, non-prescription and herbal medicines) and share them with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine without your doctor's permission.

Some types of drugs that may interact negatively with the drug ivermectin are:

• Acetaminophen
• Albendazole
• Albuterol
• Alprazolam
• Aspirin
• Butalbital
• Cetirizine
• Clonazepam
• Dextroamphetamine
• Diphenhydramine
• Duloxetine
• Fluoxetine
• Levothyroxine
• Lorazepam
• Lactobacillus and estriol
• P-glycoprotein inhibitors
• P-glycoprotein inducer
• Phenobarbital
• Praziquantel
• Prednisone
• Pyrantel
• Sodium oxybate
• Valproic acid
• Vitamin B
• Vitamin B12
• Vitamin C
• Vitamin D
• Vitamin K
• Warfarin

There may be many other drugs that can interact with this drug and are not listed above.

Therefore, it is important to tell your doctor and pharmacist about all medicines you are currently taking. Your doctor can prescribe other drugs that are safer and suitable for your condition.

Can food or alcohol interact with this drug?

Certain drugs should not be used when eating certain foods because drug-food interactions can occur.

Smoking tobacco or consuming alcohol with certain drugs can also cause interactions to occur.

Always discuss your drug use with food, alcohol, or tobacco with your doctor.

What health conditions can interact with this drug?

Other health conditions that you have can affect the use of the drug ivermectin. Always tell your doctor if you have any other health problems, especially asthma, because Ivermectin can make the disease worse.

Apart from asthma, several health conditions that can interact negatively with the drug Ivermectin are:

• Allergy to the drug Ivermectin and other anti-parasitic drugs
• Chronic impaired kidney and liver function
• Infection due to the teeth of the tsetse fly (sleeping sickness)
• Meningitis

Ivermectin overdose

What should I do in an emergency or overdose?

In case of emergency or overdose, call the medical team or ambulance (118 or 119) or immediately to the nearest hospital emergency department.

The most common symptoms of ivermectin overdose are:

• Rash
• The skin feels very itchy
• Severe headache
• Numbness and tingling sensation in the hands or feet
• The body is limp
• It's hard to focus
• Stomach ache
• Hard to breathe
• Rapid, irregular heartbeat.
• Seeing things or hearing voices that aren't there (hallucinating)
• Dazed and confused
• Not responsive
• Nervous
• Uncontrollable shaking in certain body parts
• Swelling of the face, arms, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs

What should I do if I miss a dose?

If you forget a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, when it is nearing the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to the usual dosing schedule. Make sure you don't double your dose in one shot.

Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.