Description

Ivermectin

Ivermectin is a medication that primarily helps to treat parasitic infections caused by worms and mites. It belongs to a class of drugs known as antiparasitics and is discovered in the 1970s by Japanese scientist Satoshi Omura and his team. It helps in both human and veterinary medicine for decades, and credits with a help to reduce the burden of several diseases cause by parasitic infections, including river blindness, lymphatic filariasis, and scabies.

How does It work?

It works by interfering with the nervous system of certain parasites. It binds to glutamate-gated chloride channels, which are present only in invertebrates and not in mammals, and causes paralysis and death of the parasites. This makes it a highly effective treatment for a wide range of parasitic infections, including river blindness, which is occurs by a parasitic worm that can cause blindness if no treatment is considered.

Uses of Ivermectin

Ivermectin is primarily helps to treat parasitic infections caused by worms and mites. Some of the most common uses include:

River blindness:

Ivermectin is helps to treat onchocerciasis, also known as river blindness, which occurs by a parasitic worm that is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected blackflies. River blindness is a major cause of blindness in many parts of the world, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa.

Lymphatic filariasis:

Ivermectin also helps in treating lymphatic filariasis, a parasitic infection that may spread from mosquitoes and can cause severe swelling of the limbs and genitals.

Scabies:

It is an effective treatment for scabies, a highly contagious skin infestation by a tiny mite that burrows into the skin.

Head lice:

It is sometimes helps to treat head lice, although it is not the first-line treatment.

Strongyloidiasis:

Ivermectin is also helpful in treating strongyloidiasis, a parasitic infection caused by a type of roundworm that lives in the soil in tropical and subtropical regions.

Rosacea:

It is helpful topically to treat papulopustular rosacea, a chronic inflammatory skin condition that causes redness and acne-like bumps on the face.

COVID-19:

Ivermectin is effective and a potential treatment for COVID-19, although its efficacy for this indication is still unclear.

Side effects of Ivermectin

It is generally safe and well-tolerate when we use it according to directions of use. However, like all medications, it can cause side effects in some people. Some of the most common side effects of ivermectin include:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Dizziness
• Itching
• Rash
• Swelling
• Low blood pressure
• Liver damage (rare)

Ivermectin can also interact with other medications, so it is important to let your doctor know if you are taking any other medications, including over-the-counter drugs, supplements, or herbal remedies.

Dosage of Ivermectin

The dosage of ivermectin depends on the type of infection for which we are treating and the weight of the patient. The medication is usually orally, although it can also be apply topically in some cases.

For river blindness, the usual dose of ivermectin is 150 micrograms per kilogram of body weight.