Ivermectin is a broad-spectrum anti-parasitic agent with potential anti-bacterial, anti-viral, and anti-cancer effects. It is used to treat river blindness (onchocerciasis), intestinal infection from threadworms (strongyloidiasis), and other kinds of worm infections. It works by disrupting the nerve and muscle functions of worms, by paralyzing and killing them.
Ivermectin can be taken as a tablet, topical cream, or lotion. It is also available as an injectable solution for livestock.
Although ivermectin is a relatively safe drug, it can cause side effects such as brain or central nervous system problems, severe allergic reactions, and eye or skin irritation. It is important to consult a healthcare provider before taking ivermectin to ensure it is safe and appropriate for your specific situation.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
How does ivermectin affect the brain? | Ivermectin can affect your brain or central nervous system. |
What are the side effects of ivermectin? | - Sluggishness or decreased energy |
- Confusion or disorientation
- Breathing problems or wheezing
- Fever or general ill feeling
- Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
- Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
- Itching, skin rash, or pale red bumps on the skin called hives
- Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting | | What are the serious side effects of ivermectin? | - Brain or Central Nervous System (CNS) Problems
- Severe Allergic Reactions | | Who should not use ivermectin? | - People who are allergic to any of the ingredients
- People with bronchial asthma |
What You'll Learn
Ivermectin's effect on the brain
Ivermectin is a prescription drug used to treat infections caused by parasites such as worms. It is available as a tablet, topical cream, and lotion.
Ivermectin can affect the brain and central nervous system (CNS). It can cause side effects such as sluggishness, decreased energy, confusion, and disorientation. These side effects may be mild and go away within a few days or weeks. However, if they are more severe or persistent, it is important to consult a doctor.
In addition to its effects on the brain and CNS, ivermectin may also cause serious allergic reactions and affect alertness or coordination. It is important to consult a healthcare provider before taking ivermectin and to report any side effects that occur.
Furthermore, a study on rats found that ivermectin reduced brain infarct size, lipid peroxidation, and myeloperoxidase activity, and improved memory and learning in rats with cerebral ischemia-reperfusion. This indicates that ivermectin has neuroprotective effects and could potentially be used to treat brain injuries.
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Ivermectin's side effects
Ivermectin is a medication used to treat parasitic infections, and it comes in the form of oral tablets, as well as a cream and lotion that are applied to the skin. While generally safe and well-tolerated, it may cause certain side effects, ranging from mild to serious.
The most common side effects of ivermectin include:
- Fatigue or low energy
- Mild allergic reaction
- Swelling of the arms, legs, or face
- Mild eye problems, such as swelling
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Joint pain or swelling
Less common side effects include:
- Lack or loss of strength
- Swelling or puffiness of the face
- Difficulty in moving
- Muscle pain or stiffness
- Swollen, painful, or tender lymph glands in the armpit
- Bloating or swelling of the face, arms, hands, lower legs, or feet
- Dizziness or lightheadedness, especially when changing positions
- Eye or eyelid irritation, pain, redness, or swelling
- Fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat
- Feeling of constant movement
- Painful or difficult urination
- Sensation of spinning
- Shakiness in the limbs
- Sores, ulcers, or white spots in the mouth
- Tingling in the hands or feet
- Trembling or shaking of the hands or feet
- Unusual bleeding or bruising
- Unusual weight gain or loss
- Change in consciousness
- Decreased awareness or responsiveness
- Difficulty in standing or walking
- Loss of bladder or bowel control
- Loss of consciousness
- Mood or mental changes
- Unusual dullness or sluggishness
- Blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
- Burning, dry, or itching eyes
- Confusion about identity, place, and time
- Excessive tearing
- Light-coloured stools
- Red skin lesions, possibly with a purple centre
- Sensitivity of the eyes to light
- Swelling of the eyelids
- Upper right abdominal or stomach pain
- Yellow eyes and skin
In rare cases, ivermectin can also cause long-term side effects, including:
- Neurological problems, such as confusion or sleepiness
- Serious eye problems, such as loss of vision
- Joint pain or swelling
If you experience any side effects that are ongoing, bothersome, or concerning, it is important to consult your doctor or pharmacist. Do not stop taking ivermectin unless advised to do so by a healthcare professional.
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Ivermectin's use in treating parasitic diseases
Ivermectin is a medication used to treat parasitic diseases. It is a type of anthelmintic, which kills parasites such as worms by disrupting their nerve and muscle functions. It was first discovered in the 1970s and was initially used on animals to kill internal and external parasites. In the 1980s, it was approved to treat some parasitic infections in humans.
Ivermectin is available as a prescription-only tablet that is swallowed, and as a topical cream and lotion. The tablets are taken by mouth to treat intestinal strongyloidiasis and onchocerciasis, two tropical infections caused by parasitic worms. Topical ivermectin is approved to treat head lice and rosacea.
In people, the FDA has approved prescription ivermectin tablets to treat two infections caused by parasitic worms: strongyloidiasis and onchocerciasis. Strongyloidiasis is an infection of the intestinal tract, which can cause belly pain, bloating, heartburn, diarrhea, and rashes. Onchocerciasis, also called river blindness, is spread through blackfly bites and can bring on an itchy rash, vision loss, and abnormal growths under the skin.
Ivermectin has broad-spectrum anti-parasitic properties and has been shown to have antiviral and anti-cancer effects. It has been investigated as a potential treatment for COVID-19, but the FDA has not approved it for this use.
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Ivermectin's use in treating COVID-19
Ivermectin is a broad-spectrum anti-parasitic agent with potential anti-bacterial, anti-viral, and anti-cancer effects. It is a medicine used to treat parasites, such as intestinal parasites in animals, and scabies in humans. It is also available as a topical cream and lotion.
Ivermectin is commonly used to treat infections caused by parasites, such as strongyloidiasis of the intestinal tract and onchocerciasis, also called river blindness.
Ivermectin's safety profile is established only for treating parasitic infections, not for treating viruses, including the one that causes COVID-19. Medical regulators have not approved ivermectin for COVID-19.
A 2023 study showed that ivermectin conferred neuroprotective effects in a rat model of cerebral IR. The results indicated that three days of treatment with ivermectin reduced brain infarct size, lipid peroxidation, and myeloperoxidase activity and improved memory and learning in rats with cerebral IR.
However, a review of 11 trials with 3409 participants that investigated ivermectin combined with any usual care compared to the same usual care or placebo found no evidence to support the use of ivermectin for treating COVID-19 or preventing SARS-CoV-2 infection. The review authors concluded that the "outlook for ivermectin's use to treat or prevent SARS-CoV-2 is poor."
Additionally, a double-blind, placebo-controlled study showed that ivermectin is unlikely to be effective in patients with mild COVID-19.
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Ivermectin's use in treating other diseases
Ivermectin is a medication used to treat parasitic diseases, such as parasitic worms, hookworm, and whipworm. It is also used to treat onchocerciasis, intestinal strongyloidiasis, and river blindness.
Ivermectin has been found to have antiviral activity against a wide range of RNA and DNA viruses, including dengue, Zika, and yellow fever. It has been investigated as a potential treatment for COVID-19, but the FDA has not approved its use for this purpose.
In addition to its antiparasitic properties, ivermectin has been found to have potential benefits in the treatment of other diseases. It has been studied as a potential anticancer drug, exhibiting antitumor effects in breast cancer, digestive system cancer, urinary system cancer, hematological cancer, and reproductive system cancer. It has also been found to reverse tumor multidrug resistance and enhance targeted therapy and combined treatment for cancer.
Ivermectin has also been investigated for its potential benefits in the treatment of malaria, leishmaniasis, trypanosomiasis, schistosomiasis, and Chagas disease. It has been found to be effective in killing disease vectors such as mosquitoes, sandflies, and bedbugs.
Furthermore, ivermectin has been used to treat myiasis, an infestation of fly larvae, and has been proposed as a treatment for nodding syndrome, a form of epilepsy. It has also been studied for its anti-inflammatory properties and its potential in treating neurological diseases such as motor neuron disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
Ivermectin has a good safety profile and is well-tolerated, with mostly mild side effects. However, it can cause dizziness and may not be suitable for individuals with liver, kidney, or heart problems.
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Frequently asked questions
Ivermectin is a drug that can be used to treat parasitic infections. It is not known to cause strokes, but it can affect your brain and central nervous system. It is important to call your healthcare provider right away if you experience any symptoms such as sluggishness, confusion, or decreased energy.
The most common side effects of Ivermectin include sluggishness, confusion, decreased energy, skin rash, and itching. It can also cause serious allergic reactions and affect your brain and central nervous system.
Ivermectin is commonly used to treat parasitic infections such as strongyloidiasis and onchocerciasis (river blindness). It may also be used to treat other conditions as determined by a healthcare provider. Ivermectin is effective in killing parasites by disrupting their nerves and muscles.
Ivermectin is typically taken as a tablet that is swallowed. It should be taken on an empty stomach, and you should follow your doctor's instructions for dosage and timing.