Ivermectol (Ivermectin) 12mg Tablets

Ivermectol general information

What is Ivermectol used for?

Ivermectol tablets 12mg are used to treat parasitic infections caused by parasitic worms and ectoparasites.  Strongyloidiasis is an infection caused by the nematode Strongyloides stercoralis an intestinal parasite belonging to the hookwork group of roundworms.  Infection occurs by direct contact with contaminated soil and the larval worms enter the blood stream, migrate to the lungs and are then swallowed.  Once in the host intestine, the larvae mature into adults and produce eggs, which hatch and the next generation of larvae are excreted in the faeces or migrate to other parts of the body and thereby reinfect the same host.  Symptoms of strongyloidiasis include a rash at the site of larval penetration, usually the feet, gastrointestinal symptoms (diarrhoea, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting); other symptoms include low-grade fever, coughing and wheezing, due to the migration of larvae through the lungs.  Severe infection can be more serious if the parasite spreads throughout the body.  Ivermectol tablets 12mg are also used to treat lymphatic filariasis, also known as elephantiasis caused by the thread-like nematode worm Wuchereria bancrofti carried by mosquitos.  Transmission is by a bite from and infected mosquito when the larvae enter the blood stream and migrate to the lymph vessels.  They mature into adults, mate and produce and microfilariae, which circulate in the blood ready to infect when another mosquito bites, where they grow into adults and begin the life cycle again.  Symptoms of lymphatic filariasis include lymphoedema or obstruction of the lymphatic system causing swelling in the arms, legs or genitals, which can be painful and disfiguring. Ivermectol tablets 12mg are also used to treat scabies, after prior treatment has failed.  Scabies is a contagious parasitic infection, caused by the parasitic mite Sarcoptes scabiei, which is transmitted by direct skin contact. The scabies mite burrows into the skin causing itching as it burrows, which can be intense and is often worse at night.  Within two to six weeks after infection the mite can cause an allergic reaction with symptoms including a rash, seen as small red bumps on the limbs and trunk, which are usually very itchy; also nodules in the groin or armpit.  Burrow lines can also be seen at the site of infection, usually between the fingers, on the skin of the hands, feet, wrist, elbows, buttocks and genitals.  If left untreated scabies infection can cause secondary complications like impetigo (infection and inflammation of superficial skin cells) and cellulitis (inflammation of the lower dermal or subcutaneous skin layers).  Ivermectol tablets 12mg work through the same mechanism to kill the parasite causing these infections and thereby treat the infection to relieve symptoms and prevent spread of infection. 

How does Ivermectol work?

Ivermectol tablets 12mg contains ivermectin, an anthelmintic derived from the avermectins (isolated from fermentation of Streptomyces avermitilis) that is used to treat a variety of parasitic diseases.  Ivermectin in Ivermectol tablets 12mg works by interacting directly and specifically with the nervous system of the parasite but does not affect mammals.  Ivermectin binds with high affinity to gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and glutamate (GluCl) regulated chloride channels in invertebrate nerve and muscle cells, causing paralysis and death of the parasite.  Ivermectol tablets 12mg are effective in interrupting the infectious cycle and helping to prevent spread of infection.

What does Ivermectol contain?

Ivermectol tablets contain the active ingredient ivermectin (12mg), an anthelmintic used to treat a variety of parasitic diseases. 

Treating Strongyloidiasis with Ivermectol

Ivermectol tablets 12mg contains ivermectin, an anthelmintic used to treat strongyloidiasis an infection caused by the intestinal parasitic nematode Strongyloides stercorali.  Infection occurs by direct contact with contaminated soil and the larval worms enter the blood stream, migrate to the lungs and are then swallowed.  Once in the host intestine, the larvae mature into adults and produce eggs, which hatch and the next generation of larvae are excreted in the faeces or migrate to other parts of the body and thereby reinfect the same host.  Symptoms of strongyloidiasis include a rash at the site of larval penetration, usually the feet, gastrointestinal symptoms (diarrhoea, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting); other symptoms include low-grade fever, coughing and wheezing, due to the migration of larvae through the lungs.  Severe infection can be more serious if the parasite spreads throughout the body.  Ivermectin in Ivermectol tablets 12mg works by interacting directly and specifically with the nervous system of the parasite but does not affect mammals.  Ivermectin binds with high affinity to gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and glutamate (GluCl) regulated chloride channels in invertebrate nerve and muscle cells, causing paralysis and death of the parasite.  Ivermectol tablets 12mg are effective in interrupting the infectious cycle and helping to prevent spread of infection.

Treating lymphatic filariasis with Ivermectol

Ivermectol tablets 12mg contains ivermectin, an anthelmintic used to treat lymphatic filariasis, also known as elephantiasis caused by the thread-like nematode worm Wuchereria bancrofti carried by mosquitos.  Transmission is by a bite from and infected mosquito when the larvae enter the blood stream and migrate to the lymph vessels.  They mature into adults, mate and produce and microfilariae which circulate in the blood ready to infect when another mosquito bites then grow into adults and begin the life cycle again.  Symptoms of lymphatic filariasis include lymphoedema or obstruction of the lymphatic system causing swelling in the arms, legs or genitals, which can be painful and disfiguring.  Ivermectin in Ivermectol tablets 12mg works by interacting directly and specifically with the nervous system of the parasite but does not affect mammals.   Ivermectin binds with high affinity to gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and glutamate (GluCl) regulated chloride channels in invertebrate nerve and muscle cells, causing paralysis and death of the parasite.  Ivermectol tablets 12mg are effective in interrupting the infectious cycle and helping to prevent spread of infection.

Treating scabies with Ivermectol

Ivermectol tablets 12mg contains ivermectin, an anthelmintic used to treat scabies, caused by the parasitic mite Sarcoptes scabiei. which is transmitted by direct skin contact. The scabies mite burrows into the skin causing itching as it burrows which can be intense and is often worse at night.  Within two to six weeks after infection the mite can cause an allergic reaction with symptoms including a rash, seen as small red bumps on the limbs and trunk, which are usually very itchy; also nodules in the groin or armpit.  Burrow lines can also be seen at the site of infection, usually between the fingers, on the skin of the hands, feet, wrist, elbows, buttocks and genitals.  If left untreated scabies infection can cause secondary complications like impetigo (infection and inflammation of superficial skin cells) and cellulitis (inflammation of the lower dermal or subcutaneous skin layers).  Ivermectin in Ivermectol tablets 12mg works by interacting directly and specifically with the nervous system of the parasite but does not affect mammals.   Ivermectin binds with high affinity to gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and glutamate (GluCl) regulated chloride channels in invertebrate nerve and muscle cells, causing paralysis and death of the parasite.  Ivermectol tablets 12mg are effective in interrupting the infectious cycle and helping to prevent spread of infection.

What are the side effects of Ivermectol?

The most commonly reported side effects when taking Ivermectol tablets 12mg include, transient tachycardia (fast heart rate), flushing, nausea, diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, itching skin rash, asthenia (weakness), lightheadedness, dizziness, somnolence, vertigo, tremor.

When should Ivermectol not be used?

You should not use Ivermectol tablets 12mg if you:

• are allergic to ivermectin or any ingredients in Ivermectol
• are pregnant or are breastfeeding
• want to prevent infection with filarial worms as it is not used for prophylaxis
• have another infection with other microfilarial worms such as loa loa as this increase risk of side effects
• have asthma
• are taking medicines that interact with Ivermectol including diethylcarbamazine citrate a rapid action drug for microfilarial infections, warfarin

What medications interact with Ivermectol?

Several medications interact with Ivermectol tablets 12mg and should either not be taken while you are taking Ivermectol or only after discussion and instruction from your doctor:

• Drugs that cause a serious reaction with Ivermectol: diethylcarbamazine citrate a rapid action drug for microfilarial infections can cause cutaneous, systemic reactions or ophthalmological reactions; warfarin as ivermectin may have a mild anticoagulant effect and therefore, this increases risk of bleeding

How should Ivermectol be taken?

You should take your Ivermectol tablets 12mg swallowed whole with a glass of water on an empty stomach, either 2 hours before or 2 hours after eating.  The dose you take and how often depends on what you are being treated for, your body weight (200 micrograms per kilogram body weight) and your doctor’s recommendation.  For strongyloidiasis and scabies a single dose is recommended.  If the scabies infection does not clear up, another dose can be given after 2 weeks. For lymphatic filariasis a single dose is recommended and repeated every 6 or 12 months.

How long should you take Ivermectol?

You should take your Ivermectol tablets 12mg according to your doctor’s recommendation, which is a single oral dose that may be repeated after 6 -12 months or after 2 weeks, depending on what you are being treated for.

How should Ivermectol be stored?

You should store your Ivermectol tablets 12mg below 30°C in a cool dry place.