| Drug Name | Ivermectin |
| Type of Medication | Antivirals |
| What dosages are available? | 3mg, 6mg, 12mg |
| Used for | Parasitic diseases |
| Is a return available? | Within 14 days |
| Where to buy online? | Eyegatepharma.com |
Ivermectin (also available under the brand name of Stromectol) is a powerful prescription medicine used to treat parasitic diseases such as gut infections caused by intestinal parasites – strongyloidiasis and onchocerciasis.
Antiviral activity
Several studies have shown that ivermectin has a broad spectrum of antiviral activity and was found moderately effective against the viruses that cause Dengue fever and HIV-1. According to these studies, ivermectin may dissociate a specific protein responsible for the nuclear transfer of viral protein particles. The nuclear transfer of viral proteins is essential for the replication cycle of the virus and for suppressing the antiviral response of the host, so the inhibitory effects that ivermectin has on these processes can suggest that it can be an efficient therapeutic approach to treating RNA viruses, such as SARS-CoV-2.
How effective is ivermectin against Covid-19?
Based on the early-stage lab research and scientific studies, ivermectin was seen by many as a “miracle drug” that could end the Covid-19 pandemic around the globe. A group of scientists from the Australian Monash University for Biomedical Research even published an article on the results of tests of this antiparasitic drug in the laboratory, under which they observed the antiviral activity of ivermectin on cells infected with SARS-CoV-2. According to this study, ivermectin could reduce the accumulation of coronavirus by about 5 thousand times.
Such positive trial results quickly caused a hype, encouraging many people – primarily anti-vaccine activists – to use prescription ivermectin as well as its OTC veterinary formulations in the hope to relieve the symptoms of Covid-19 or even prevent the infection altogether.
From the standpoint of public health professionals and the global scientific community, however, ivermectin cannot be a solution to the Covid-19 problem. These experts have reasons to believe that out of 26 major clinical trials of ivermectin for use in Covid patients, over 30% have critical errors and even show traces of potential fraud, which invalidate the findings.
Among the arguments against using ivermectin for Covid-19 prevention and treatment, the following five are the most persuasive:
- Evidence supporting the effectiveness of ivermectin against Covid-19 is next to none.
Numerous clinical testings and empirical studies examining ivermectin as a possible effective Covid-19 prevention and treatment drug have not provided sufficient evidence to advise its use in people.
- FDA does not approve the use of ivermectin for treating Covid patients.
Despite its commitment to the principle of making new Covid-19 treatments available and accessible to patients as quickly as possible, the US Food and Drug Administration has not been willing to authorize or approve the use of ivermectin for this purpose. This government agency does not see the drug as a safe or effective Covid-19 treatment option.
- Ivermectin has side effects and can be dangerous if the drug is self-prescribed or misused.
Taking any medicine differently from its intended uses comes with significant health risks, and ivermectin is no exception. Taking large doses of this antiparasitic medication can bring about adverse side effects and dangerous cross-reactions with other medicinal drugs. Using veterinary ivermectin intended for large animals can result in toxic overdose and even be lethal for humans.
- People have safe and effective ways to prevent the spread of the Covid-19 virus.
There is still no solid proof of ivermectin being effective against Covid-19; however, people today know of enough ways to protect themselves and others from the virus and prevent its easy spread. Here are just a few things people can do to stay safe:
- Getting immunized with a Covid-19 vaccine.
- Wearing a medical face mask and following proper hand hygiene.
- Keeping social distance.
- Self-isolating if one is sick or has recently been exposed to Covid-19.
- There are now approved Covid-19 treatments and vaccines.
Lucky for Covid-19 sufferers, there are now many authorized treatments and vaccines that can help prevent and manage the disease much more effectively. They include:
- Remdesivir – an adenosine analog prodrug.
- Monoclonal antibody treatments.
- Convalescent plasma transfusions.
- Covid-19 vaccines (Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen, mRNA vaccines, viral vector vaccines).
To conclude: is Ivermectin a safe choice of treatment for Covid-19?
Multiple laboratory tests aimed at studying the ability of ivermectin to prevent and treat Covid-19 have shown that this medicine has some inhibitory effects that can slow down the replication of the Covid-19 causative virus (SARS-CoV-2). However, for such effects to be pronounced enough in humans, the treatment would involve administering large doses of this antiparasitic agent, which might lead to toxic overdose and unwanted adverse reactions. Regulatory bodies, such as FDA, have not approved ivermectin for COVID-19 prevention or treatment.
Ivermectin (Stromectol) for Humans Overview
Certain topical forms of this antiparasitic drug are also approved to treat skin conditions like scabies, rosacea, and head lice infestations caused by external parasites. Ivermectin is an affordable and effective medication with a high safety profile and few unwanted side effects. Presently, it is used in world regions where parasitic infestations are a common health problem that can severely affect the quality of one’s life.
Dosage recommendations
Ivermectin is available as 3mg oral tablets (Ivermectin/Stromectol), Soolantra topical cream 1%, and Sklice topical lotion 0.5%. The recommended oral dose of this medicine varies, depending on the type of illness, the severity of symptoms, general health status, age, weight, and other parameters.
Usually, patients with infections caused by intestinal parasitic are advised to take 200 mcg of ivermectin per one kilogram of body weight as a single dose. The standard recommended dosage of oral ivermectin for patients with parasitic eye and skin infections is 150 mcg/kg. The most effective safe dosage of oral ivermectin for children is determined for each patient individually based on their condition, age, and weight.
Note that there can be circumstances where the treatment may need repeating every three to twelve months, which your prescribing physician must decide on after conducting a careful evaluation of your health condition.
Side effects of Ivermectin
While this antiparasitic medicine generally has a favorable safety profile and is usually tolerated well, it might cause mild and transient side effects in less than 5% of patients. Contact your prescribing physician or seek medical attention if these or any other side effects bother you or do not go away:
- itch
- rash
- decreased appetite
- fever
- headache
- fatigue
- dyspepsia or constipation
- queasiness and vomiting
- stomach cramps
- hypotension.
The symptoms listed above are not considered serious and do not usually necessitate urgent medical care. However, if any of these linger or get worse over time, you should check with your physician. Also, you should be aware of the following more significant and potentially dangerous side effects that, while occurring very rarely, can pose a real threat to the patient’s health:
- allergic reaction signs: rash, hives, itching, red and swollen skin with blisters or peeling, wheezing, chest or throat tightness, labored breathing/swallowing, swelling in the mouth, neck, or throat
- severe dizziness or passing out
- changes in vision
- eye pain or severe eye irritation
- joint pain/inflammation
- high fever
- seizures
- incontinence
- tenderness or swelling in the glands
- chest discomfort/heartbeat abnormalities.
The patient experiencing any of the above symptoms after the use of ivermectin should seek immediate medical attention.
This list of possible side effects is not exhaustive. If you have any unusual or worrying reactions not listed here after taking the oral medicine or applying it in any other form, see your doctor for a consultation as quickly as possible.
General Safety Precautions
- Take oral ivermectin tablets with a full glass of water, without food, and at the time recommended by your doctor (usually, an hour before breakfast).
- Do not change the dosage of ivermectin recommended by your doctor at your sole judgment. Do not start or stop taking ivermectin without consulting your physician first.
- If your prescribing physician tells you to take a corticosteroid medication alongside ivermectin, you should follow their instructions directly. It is sometimes needed to reduce inflammation caused by the death of worms in patients severely affected with onchocerciasis (river blindness).
Disclaimer
The information offered here serves an educational purpose and is by no means a stand-in for the specialized guidance only a healthcare professional can provide. Should you find yourself with questions concerning a medical condition, it is crucial to reach out to your physician or an appropriately certified healthcare giver. Moreover, any reference to specific medications or treatments within this material does not constitute an official endorsement.