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Ivermectin is a prescription antiparasitic medicine. Current oral tablets contain 3 mg and are indicated for intestinal strongyloidiasis caused by Strongyloides stercoralis and onchocerciasis caused by Onchocerca volvulus. Topical ivermectin products have separate indications and instructions.
read more about ivermectin ...Ivermectin binds selectively to glutamate-gated chloride channels in susceptible invertebrate nerve and muscle cells. This increases chloride permeability, hyperpolarizes the cells, and causes paralysis and death of the parasite. Its activity against Strongyloides stercoralis is directed at intestinal stages, while treatment of onchocerciasis targets microfilariae rather than adult worms.
Oral ivermectin is used for intestinal strongyloidiasis and onchocerciasis under current labeling. Safety and efficacy are not established in pediatric patients weighing less than 15 kg. Follow-up stool examinations are used after strongyloidiasis treatment to document eradication.
Strongyloidiasis uses a single oral dose of about 200 mcg per kg. Onchocerciasis uses a single oral dose of about 150 mcg per kg, with retreatment intervals based on the clinical setting. Tablets are taken on an empty stomach with water.
Serious neurotoxicity has been reported, including altered consciousness, confusion, stupor, coma, seizures, and death. Patients treated for onchocerciasis can develop Mazzotti-type inflammatory reactions after microfilariae die. Heavy Loa loa infection can increase the risk of serious encephalopathy after microfilaricidal treatment.
Current oral tablet labeling includes intestinal strongyloidiasis and onchocerciasis.
The recommended single dose is about 200 mcg per kg taken on an empty stomach with water.
No. Current labeling states that ivermectin acts against microfilariae rather than adult Onchocerca volvulus.
Yes. Serious neurotoxicity, including altered consciousness, seizures, coma, and death, has been reported.
Ivermectin and COVID-19. https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/ivermectin-and-covid-19. Date Accessed October 5, 2026.
Ivermectin: MedlinePlus Drug Information. https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a607069.html. Date Accessed October 5, 2026.
Ivermectin Tablets Prescribing Information. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=847a1dd7-d65b-4a0e-a67d-d90392059dac. Date Accessed October 5, 2026.
Multiple-Dose Versus Single-Dose Ivermectin for Strongyloides stercoralis Infection (Strong Treat 1 to 4): A Multicentre, Open-Label, Phase 3, Randomised Controlled Superiority Trial. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31558376/. Date Accessed October 5, 2026.
Randomized Clinical Trial on Ivermectin Versus Thiabendazole for the Treatment of Strongyloidiasis. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21814588/. Date Accessed October 5, 2026.