Ivermectin (Systemic)
   
Ivermectin (Systemic)
US Brand Names
• Stromectol
Canadian Brand Names
• Mectizan
Description
Ivermectin (eye-ver-MEK-tin) is used in the treatment of certain worm infections. It is used to treat river blindness (onchocerciasis) and a certain type of diarrhea (strongyloidiasis). It may also be used for some other kinds of worm infections.
Ivermectin appears to work by paralyzing and then killing the offspring of adult worms. It may also slow down the rate at which adult worms reproduce. This results in fewer worms in the skin, blood, and eyes.
Ivermectin is available only with your doctor's prescription, in the following dosage form:
Oral
• Tablets (U.S., Canada, Africa, Europe, and South America)
Special Considerations
In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For ivermectin, the following should be considered:
Allergies
Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to ivermectin. Also tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.
Pregnancy
Ivermectin has not been studied in pregnant women and use of ivermectin is not recommended during pregnancy. Studies in animals given ivermectin have shown that ivermectin causes birth defects or other problems. Before taking this medicine, make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or if you may become pregnant.
Breast-feeding
Ivermectin passes into breast milk. However, it has not been reported to cause problems in nursing babies.
Children
Studies on this medicine have been done only in adults and in children weighing 15 kilograms (kg) (33 pounds) and over, and there is no specific information comparing use of ivermectin in children weighing less than 15 kg with use in other age groups.
Older adults
Many medicines have not been studied specifically in older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactly the same way they do in younger adults or if they cause different side effects or problems in older people. There is no specific information comparing use of ivermectin in the elderly with use in other age groups.
Other medicines
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your health care professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.
Other medical problems
The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of ivermectin. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:
Administration
Ivermectin is best taken as a single dose with a full glass (8 ounces) of water on an empty stomach (1 hour before breakfast), unless otherwise directed by your doctor.
To help clear up your infection, take this medicine exactly as directed . Your doctor may want you to take another dose every 3 to 12 months.
Your doctor may also prescribe a corticosteroid (a cortisone-like medicine) for certain patients with river blindness, especially those with severe symptoms. This is to help reduce the inflammation caused by the death of the worms. If your doctor prescribes these two medicines together, it is important to take the corticosteroid along with ivermectin. Take them exactly as directed by your doctor. Do not miss any doses.
Dosing
The dose of ivermectin will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label . The following information includes only the average doses of ivermectin. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.
The time allowed between doses and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are taking ivermectin .
Storage
To store this medicine:
• Keep out of the reach of children.
• Store away from heat and direct light.
• Do not store in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink, or in other damp places. Heat or moisture may cause the medicine to break down.
• Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Be sure that any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.
Precautions
It is important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits. This is to help make sure that the infection is cleared up completely. In addition, if you have river blindness (onchocerciasis), your doctor may want you to have your eyes checked by an ophthalmologist (eye doctor). If you have a certain type of diarrhea (strongyloidiasis), your doctor may want to examine three stool samples. This should be done over the 3-month period following treatment.
If your symptoms become worse, check with your doctor.
This medicine may cause some people to become lightheaded. Make sure you know how you react to this medicine before you drive, use machines, or do anything else that could be dangerous if you are lightheaded . If these reactions occur, check with your doctor.
Before you have any medical tests, tell the medical doctor in charge that you are taking this medicine. The results of some tests (blood or liver tests) may be affected by this medicine.
Side Effects
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:
Less common-for the treatment of river blindness (onchocerciasis) only
Eye or eyelid irritation, pain, redness, or swelling.
Other side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. However, check with your doctor if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome:
More common-for the treatment of river blindness (onchocerciasis) only
Fever, itching or skin rash; joint or muscle pain; painful and tender glands in neck, armpits, or groin; rapid heartbeat.
Less common-for the treatment of river blindness (onchocerciasis) only
Headache; swelling of the face, hands, arms, feet, or legs.
Less common-for the treatment of strongyloidiasis only
Diarrhea; dizziness; skin rash or itching.
Rare-for the treatment of river blindness (onchocerciasis) only
Lightheadedness when getting up from a lying or sitting position.
Rare-for the treatment of strongyloidiasis only
Loss of appetite; shaking or trembling; sleepiness.
Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your doctor.
Additional Information
Once a medicine has been approved for marketing for a certain use, experience may show that it is also useful for other medical problems. Although these uses are not included in product labeling, ivermectin is used in certain patients with the following medical condition:
• Bancroft's filariasis
• Scabies
Other than the above information, there is no additional information relating to proper use, precautions, or side effects for these uses.
May 19, 2003 
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