Is Ivermectin for Humans?
Ivermectin, marketed as Stromectol among other names, is a medication used to treat parasitic infections caused by worms. It belongs to the family of medications called anthelmintics which also includes albendazole and mebendazole.
The drug works by paralyzing and killing certain parasites such as roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, and tapeworms. It does not kill the eggs or larvae of these parasites but it will stop them from developing into adults which can cause a reduction in disease symptoms over time.
Ivermectin is given either through injection into a muscle or intravenously (by IV). Adverse effects may include pain at the injection site, headache, dizziness, and fever.
Ivermectin is primarily used to treat infections caused by worms including river blindness (onchocerciasis) caused by Onchocerca volvulus as well as scabies due to Sarcoptes scabiei. It may also be used for other parasitic infections such as head lice or the prevention of heartworm in dogs.
The drug has recently been in high demand due to the belief that it is effective in fighting covid-19. Many doctors around the world have been using it to treat patients, many with stories of great successes especially in India, Mexico and Thailand. This news has seen demand for Ivermectin skyrocketing around the world.
Stromectol/Ivermectin comes as a tablet to take by mouth, as a solution for injection into a muscle, and as eye drops.
In the US it is only approved to treat one type of river blindness called onchocerciasis due to O volvulus. In some countries, it is also used to treat a type of dwarfism called Laron syndrome which is caused by growth hormone deficiency and intestinal threadworm infection (enterobiasis).
Ivermectin was discovered in the late 1970s and came into commercial use in 1981 after clinical trials among others on river blindness were completed.
It is on the World Health Organization’s List of Essential Medicines, the most effective and safe medicines needed in a health system. It is available as a generic medication and is usually not too expensive.
In areas where ivermectin use has been studied, it appears to be between 75-90% effective at treating river blindness when given three times over 12 months. In areas where the disease is common, single annual doses have been found to reduce episodes of reinfection.
Ivermectin appears to be generally safe for use by adults and children but should not be taken during pregnancy or breastfeeding due to the risk of adverse effects in newborns which are more likely if ivermectin resistance is common.
According to one company witnessing a spiraling demand for Ivermectin, people should not take the drug if they are allergic to it or other anthelmintics such as albendazole, mebendazole, levamisole, pyrantel pamoate (Pin-Rid), emodepside (Profender), and morantel tartrate (Rumatel).
Ivermectin can be taken orally or injected into a muscle. The injectable form should only be given by injection under the supervision of a health care professional due to the risk of serious adverse reactions which include anaphylaxis, low blood pressure, and loss of consciousness. Ivermectin is not recommended for children under five years old.
Ivermectin is effective against a broad range of parasitic worms and has been shown to be safe in treating pregnant women with intestinal threadworm infections such as enterobiasis, trichuriasis (whipworm), ascariasis (roundworms) or hookworm infection.
Can I Buy Ivermectin Online?
Yes, you can buy Ivermectin from Thailand, India, Mexico or other countries with relaxed laws regarding the sale and distribution of pharmaceuticals. From there you can have it shipped to you in whatever country you are located in.
