Ivermectin (Stromectol) Uses

Ivermectin is used to treat infectious diseases such as strongyloidiasis and onchocerciasis. Strongyloidiasis (also called threadworm) is caused by a species of roundworm that enters the human body through the skin, travels through the airways, and lives in the human intestines. Onchocerciasis (also called river blindness) is caused by a species of roundworm that causes skin rash, skin bumps, and vision problems, including blindness.

Note: Ivermectin is also used to treat and prevent infections caused by parasites in animals, including both internal and external parasites. For example, it is used to prevent heartworm disease in dogs and cats. The World Health Organization (WHO) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) strongly advise against treating human diseases with ivermectin meant for animals. Human use of drugs meant for animals can cause serious adverse events. Only approved ivermectin made for humans should be used to treat parasitic infections in humans.

The FDA has not approved or authorized high-dose ivermectin to prevent or treat COVID-19. During the COVID-19 pandemic, a research article described the effects of ivermectin on the SARS-CoV-2 virus in a laboratory setting. This led people to believe that ivermectin is a potential treatment for infectious diseases such as COVID-19 or even a wonder drug that can prevent death in hospitalized patients. However, further clinical trials have not confirmed the efficacy of ivermectin, and this drug is not used to treat COVID-19. Using ivermectin when it is not indicated can lead to drug resistance and make it less effective in treating worm infections.

Ivermectin may be used to treat other diseases, such as head lice, pubic lice, scabies, lymphatic filariasis, skin conditions, and other roundworm infections or tropical diseases—your pharmacist, primary care physician, or tropical medicine specialist can give you further drug information.

Ivermectin (Stromectol) Mechanism of Action

Ivermectin works by killing the worms that cause strongyloidiasis by disrupting their nerve and muscle functions. It also kills the larvae (developing worms) that cause onchocerciasis in humans, but not the adult worms. Therefore, ivermectin cannot cure onchocerciasis.

Ivermectin (Stromectol) Doses

Ivermectin is available as a 3 mg tablet taken by mouth. The recommended dose for strongyloidiasis is a single dose of 200 mcg of ivermectin per kilogram of body weight. The recommended dose for onchocerciasis is a single dose of 150 mcg of ivermectin per kilogram of body weight with repeat doses at 3, 6, and/or 12 months as needed. During mass treatment at a community level, the dose is usually repeated after 12 months.

Therefore, if you weigh between 66 and 79 kg (145 and 173 lbs), you will need to take 5 of the 3-mg tablets once for strongyloidiasis. You may need additional doses if your stool exams show a persisting infection. 

If you weigh between 65 and 84 kg (143 and 185 lbs), you will need to take 4 of the 3-mg tablets once for onchocerciasis. Additional doses may be prescribed after 3, 6, or 12 months, and you may need to take ivermectin for years.