Ivermectin or else-known as Stromectol (a brand name) is a widely prescribed anti-parasite medication. It is approved and regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the prescription in humans, to treat infections caused by parasitic worms, hookworm, as well as whipworms. Alongside primary applications, it can be occasionally used to approach onchocerciasis, river blindness, and intestinal strongyloidiasis treatments. Thanks to numerous research, Ivermectin has also positively shown its potency when managing yellow fever, Zika, and dengue viruses.
Besides, Ivermectin is a commonly prescribed anti-parasitic drug used by veterinarians to treat animals.
Health Conditions Fit for Generic Ivermectin Therapy
As was said above, Ivermectin has won FDA approval for parasitic infection treatment. It particularly concerns two medical conditions: strongyloidiasis, and onchocerciasis.
- Strongyloidiasis is a health condition linked to causing stomach pain, bloating, heartburn, diarrhoea, alongside rashes;
- Onchocerciasis, or else-called river blindness, is a health condition linked to causing itchy rash, eye disease, or abnormal growths under the skin.
On some occasions, one’s healthcare provider may weigh the benefits over the risks, and prescribe Ivermectin topical form for the applications on the skin to approach head lice, rosacea as well as scabies.
For any other applications, you should obligatorily refer to your doctor. Do not self-diagnose, and self-prescribe yourself this drug!
Possible Side Effects
Like other modalities, Ivermectin has the ability to cause side effects. Primarily, it concerns the events when one takes the drug without their doctor’s approval or violates the dosing regimen. The side effects may both bear temporary character and vanish as soon as one’s body gets used to the drug, and occurring character when one has to find the alternative.
As of now, it is possible to speak of the next COMMON adverse reactions:
- Constipation;
- Diarrhoea;
- Headache;
- Joint, muscle, or stomach aches;
- Changes in the appetite;
- Vomiting or nausea;
- Tenderness of the throat, armpit, or groin;
- Occasional tremors.
Then, one may come across rare but possible side effects, like:
- A rash, itching, hives, or swelling on the face, lips, or tongue — in simple terms, allergic reactions to Ivermectin, or other components found inside the drug;
- Breathing issues;
- Vision shifts — temporary vision loss;
- Chest aches;
- Changing heartbeat;
- Occasional confusion;
- Dizziness;
- Fever;
- Blisters, peels, or sags.
To avoid experiencing side effects, please do always refer to the drug manufacturer’s labels, and instructions. Do speak to your healthcare provider. Do always start with the initial dosage, and if needed gradually increase it after receiving a doctor’s approval. If you believe you experience side effects, abstain from taking the drug. Overdose events are possible. If you believe you overdose, seek emergency help immediately!
Dosing Instructions of Generic Ivermectin 3mg and 6mg
Prior to taking Ivermectin, you have to consult your doctor and share your medical history, or your family’s medical history to be aware of the contraindications. A doctor will also determine your weight, height, metabolism to ensure you receive the right and individually tailored dosage for your particular medical condition.
Ensure to also inform your doctor about asthma, or liver disease, or allergic reactions to one or another medication, health supplement, food. Then, if you are pregnant, or plan to become pregnant, currently breastfeeding, you should make your doctor aware of these things as well. Ivermectin may be dangerous!
A drug should be taken with a full glass of water on an empty stomach. Take it at least half an hour before or at least 2 hours after food. Abstain from taking the drug without food because it won’t be properly digested, and you may experience stomach aches.
If you believe you do not experience any positive effects, abstain from such self-evaluation. Always discuss all your feelings, and experiences after the intake with your doctor. If needed, they will find the alternative for your health condition, or make changes to the dosage.
The most common dosing examples are the following:
- Onchocerciasis Treatment
A drug should be taken every 12 months. 0.15mg/kg. Those having severe forms of onchocerciasis might need to proceed with 6-month treatment.
- Strongyloidiasis Treatment
A patient may be prescribed Ivermectin 0.2mg/kg once. Alongside this dose, patients might also need suppressive therapy.
- Ascariasis Treatment
A patient may be prescribed 0.2mg/kg once.
- Cutaneous Larva Migrants Treatment
A patient may be prescribed 0.2 mg/kg once.
- Filariasis Treatment
A patient may be prescribed 0.2mg/kg once.
- Scabies Treatment
A patient may be prescribed 0.2mg/kg once per 2 weeks. It can be used in conjunction with topicals for the best therapeutic effects.
All the other health conditions where Ivermectin may come in handy, a doctor has to tailor individual dosage.
Note, since Ivermectin is a medication prescribed in single doses, and which does not require any regimen, and you forget to take it — just take it as soon as you remember it. If you take a dose higher than your prescribed one, immediately seek emergency help. Abstain from taking the drug alongside alcohol. Alongside dizziness, it may cause other side effects which can be dangerous or even fatal.
COVID and Ivermectin
Due to the pandemic, lots of pharmaceutical manufacturers started investigating the potency of Ivermectin for the COVID symptoms treatment. Yet, it is not approved or regulated by the FDA for the applications among COVID patients. Please, do abstain from the intake of Ivermectin to manage the outcomes of the COVID virus.
Warnings and Possible Interactions
After finalizing the treatment course with the Ivermectin (Stromectol), a patient will need to pass a stool exam to double-check whether the infection is gone. If not, a doctor will prescribe another dose.
The intake of the drug may be accompanied by dizziness, especially if you stand up fast after laying. Ensure you do it all slowly to avoid experiencing “passing out events”.
If you breastfeed or are pregnant, the drug is unresearched enough to tell about its possible harm to a developing baby. Yet, the drug is known to pass into breast milk and cause harm to nurse babies.
Now, what about the possible interactions? Ideally, your doctor alone will share with you a detailed list of all possible interactions to avoid. Yet, for your consideration, they are:
- Barbiturates (such as phenobarbital and butalbital), benzodiazepines (such as clonazepam and lorazepam), sodium oxybate (GHB), and valproic acid are examples of products that may interact with this medication.
Storage
Last but not least, ensure you comply with all the storage rules of medications! First off, you have to always store Ivermectin far from the direct sunlight, and moisture. It should be kept only at room temperatures, or the drug may expire. Do not keep it in the bathroom. DO KEEP IT far from elderly people, children or pets. If you believe any of your family members or pets took the drug without the doctor’s approval, seek emergency help immediately!
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Disclaimer
The information in this article is offered for educational purposes only. We do not bear responsibility for the accuracy of the content and fullness of the presented information. Before taking generic Ivermectin, you should consult a medical specialist on a one-on-one basis. They can choose the right drug for you according to your symptoms and your medical history. This article shouldn’t be regarded as the replacement for such a consultation, as it doesn’t cover all the cases. We encourage you to receive information directly from your healthcare advisor so that you can get the right dose of Ivermectin and know how to take it.