Ivermectin, hailed as a miracle medication for tropical illnesses, is used to treat parasite infections in livestock, pets, and people. Millions of people have seen a reduction in the symptoms of strongyloidiasis and river blindness because to this medication. Continue reading to find out more about ivermectin's use, risks, and adverse effects.

Ivermectin: What is it?

A drug called ivermectin (also known as stromectol, mectizan, sklice, or heartgard) is used to treat a variety of parasite illnesses in people, animals, and pets. Ivermectin is regarded by some as one of the medications that has had the biggest effects on human health and wellbeing, along with penicillin and aspirin.

Ivermectin was initially licensed for use in humans after being discovered to be effective against parasite illnesses in pets and commercial cattle. Ivermectin is now included among the essential medications listed by the World Health Organization.

Covimectin 12 mg has been approved by the FDA to treat two types of parasite infections in humans, namely:

digestive tract infection known as strongyloidiasis, which is brought on by the nematode parasite Strongyloides stercoralis, popularly known as roundworms

River blindness, or onchocerciasis, is an infection brought on by the parasite Volvulus Onchocerca.

Method of Action

Ivermectin generally seems to function by immobilizing and eliminating parasites. More precisely, it has a strong affinity for glutamate-gated channels found in invertebrates, such as roundworms and arthropods. This leads in the parasite becoming paralyzed and dying as a result of an influx of chloride ions into muscle and nerve cells.

Additionally, ivermectin may prevent the parasite from releasing proteins that aid in its evasion of the body's defense mechanisms against infection. Thus, this medication may aid in the immune response's ability to defeat and eradicate parasites.

Applications for Ivermectin

Ivermectin is a prescription drug that needs to be taken exactly as prescribed by a physician. Ivermectin has been approved by the FDA to treat two different kinds of parasite diseases. Off-label use of ivermectin for a number of other conditions is also occasionally observed.

FDA-Approved Applications

The Strongyloidiasis

A tropical illness called strongyloidiasis affects millions of individuals globally. Strongyloides stercoralis, a parasite of the roundworm family, is the cause.

People are mostly infected by this parasite by contact with soil contaminated with larvae. The larvae of this worm can penetrate the skin when it comes into contact with it and eventually make their way into the intestines.

Strongyloides infections often leave their victims symptomless. Diarrhea, constipation, skin rashes, abdominal pain, and heartburn are a few symptoms that could appear. See your doctor if you think you might have an infection.

The recommended medication for treating intestinal strongyloidiasis is usually ivermectin. Clinical trials suggest that a single 200 mcg/kg dose of ivermectin may be able to cure infection in 64–100% of patients, whereas two doses of the medication may be able to cure infection in nearly all cases.

Blindness by the River (Onchocerciasis)

A parasitic worm known as Onchocerca volvulus is the cause of river blindness, also known as onchocerciasis, a tropical illness. The black fly, an insect that breeds close to rivers and streams, is the carrier of this disease when it bites people repeatedly. The larvae of this parasite usually find their way to the skin and eyes once they are inside the host.

Some Onchocerca volvulus infections do not cause symptoms in their victims. Furthermore, when inside the body, larvae may take three months to a year to develop into adults. Itching, swelling, inflammation, and skin discoloration are a few signs of an infection. As the name implies, blindness may result from this infection's effects on the eyes.

Ivermectin is a successful treatment for river blindness, as demonstrated by several clinical trials involving thousands of participants over a three-decade period.

Ivermectin, however, appears to be inactive against adult parasites and is only effective against the larvae of Onchocerca volvulus. Ivermectin treatment usually entails taking several doses, spaced three to twelve months apart.

Off-Label Applications

There are a few off-label uses for ivermectin, which we'll go over in the sections that follow. If your doctor prescribes ivermectin, make sure you take it exactly as prescribed.

Intestinal Filariasis

Worm infiltration into the lymphatic system is the cause of lymphatic filariasis, commonly referred to as elephantiasis. More than 80 countries and over 1 billion individuals are at risk from this disease. Numerous parasitic worm species, such as Wuchereria bancrofti, Brugia malayi, and B. timori, have been linked to lymphatic filariasis.

When an infected mosquito bites a person, the parasites spread from one person to another. Although the majority of those infected do not show any symptoms, some may experience swelling due to an accumulation of fluid in the lymphatic system called lymphedema. Although the limbs and genitalia may also be affected, the legs are usually the site of this edema.

Ivermectin is occasionally used to treat elephantiasis, even though it is not typically the first option—especially in regions where onchocerciasis is also a problem.